No one knows what Jason Kidd will do when his contract is up after next season, just as no one is sure what Duncan will do in that same summer. But most think Kidd will leave the Nets. The franchise, even with a winner, can't draw fans or attention.

Some link Kidd to Washington, some to Miami. But one of the few franchises that will have enough cap room is also one of the few franchises with a Hall of Fame buddy waiting for him.

But Parker came along and changed everything, including Popovich. If the other Spurs want to say that Popovich, too, is soft, they could argue this: Popovich has a soft spot for Parker.