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21,20 and 9 will all be retired knowing the Spurs.

21 and 20 are the only ones deserving.

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21,20 and 9 will all be retired knowing the Spurs.

21 and 20 are the only ones deserving.

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LAS VEGAS Not long before sitting down to sign his four-year, $45 million contract to return to the Spurs on Tuesday, Danny Green sat down with the Express-News to talk about free agency, his role in the LaMarcus Aldridge chase and why he was willing to take a discount to remain in San Antonio.
Q. With LaMarcus Aldridge on board, the Spurs are sort of in the position of being the talk of July. What's that like?
DG: "It's very different role for us. We've never been looked at as the team to win it all. When you get a guy like LaMarcus Aldridge, you're going to get that attention. It's an exciting time of year. We had to let some guys go. It sucks. It's sad. We're going to miss those guys, but it's an exciting and I'm looking forward to the season with this roster that we have."
Q. Are the expectations heightened because of Aldridge's arrival?
DG: "A lot of people are expecting us to do well, and not just in San Antonio. If we don't, I'm sure we're going to get some backlash for it. You know how Pop is. We don't care what the media says. We just want to be healthy at the end of the season and everybody playing in sync and having that chemistry."
Q. The Spurs have played for and won titles with teams built on depth and continuity. What are the challenges of integrating new pieces?
DG: "That's going to be the biggest thing for us throughout the year. Winning games, of course, helps. We just need to make sure we're in sync and have a rhythm, so that everybody knows where they need to be and what they need to do. We hope the new guys adjust quickly and learn the system fast. They're high IQ guys, so I expect them to catch on pretty quick."
Q. Cleveland started slow after adding LeBron James and Kevin Love last season, but recovered to make the Finals. Does playing in the West give a team less margin for error in finding itself?
DG: "Not to knock the east or anything, but it's tough in the West. You see as the years go on and people try to add Big Threes, it doesn't happen overnight. Boston's the only team to do it the first year. It takes time to build a flow and get chemistry. We're not expecting to come out and be the greatest team ever. We just want to build something over time."
Q. Does the "Beautiful Game" offense have to be altered to fit with Aldridge? He's a different big than Tiago Splitter, obviously.
DG: "Not at all. He's going to make it a lot easier for us. Our game is not as much Xs and Os as people think. It's just playing in the flow of the game. If you have unselfish players who can drive and kick and make plays. He gives us another threat, a low-post threat. We need somebody down there who can score for us."
Q. Do you remember where you were when you heard Aldridge was definitely in?
DG: "I was in New York. I actually spoke for to him on the phone before he made his decision. He called me, which I was surprised about. He asked me some questions. He wanted to know the ins and outs of the organization, how it was. He didn't want it to be culture shock for him. I told him, 'You're a low maintenance guy, high IQ. It's not going to mess you up. It should be good.' I answered his questions and had a good indication that he's going to come with us."
Q. What about your own free agency? How did that go down?
DG: "We talked on the phone up until the date. Pop told me to let them know what was happening (with other teams), what was going on before I make any decisions. I told him I would, and we kept in contact. Detroit came in and Toronto came in, and I told Pop. They (the Spurs) told me they might have some space. They're not to to be able to give what other guys are going to offer, but they could come close. I said if you guys can get close, I'm coming back. It's simple as that."
"He said, 'Alright we're going to make the moves we need to make and try to make space and bring you back.' And they did it. It got done so quickly, I didn't have to go through the whole frenzy. It was easy to me."
Q. Why were you so willing to stay in San Antonio for less money that other wings got elsewhere?
DG: "Because I thought we had a good shot at getting LaMarcus. San Antonio is home for me. I know the system and the organization. It's an easy way of life. Anywhere else, you don't get the same weather, the same type of fans and people. It was a situation where I was willing to come back for less."
Q. How seriously did you look at other teams?
DG: "I was supposed to have a meeting with (Detroit's Stan) Van Gundy, but that got cancelled because it happened so fast. I didn't get a chance to talk to many people."
Q.What did Popovich say when you told him the news you were coming back?
DG: "He said, I'm surprised you still want to play for me. I promise I'll be nicer this time.' I probably don't believe him."

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#9 will be retired no doubt about it.

My problem with Tony is Tony. He has always seemed to be more about him than the SPURS.

He should be a SPUR 24-7. When he insist on playing during the summer, EuroBall, Olympics, etc. it does not help him or the SPURS.

Just look at the past playoff run for proof.

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#9 will be retired no doubt about it.

My problem with Tony is Tony. He has always seemed to be more about him than the SPURS.

He should be a SPUR 24-7. When he insist on playing during the summer, EuroBall, Olympics, etc. it does not help him or the SPURS.

Just look at the past playoff run for proof.

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