Tex Winter left the Lakers' offices in El Segundo on Friday afternoon, videotapes under his arms, a lifetime of basketball perhaps behind him.

After the Lakers were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, each coach stood before the players and spoke, the first time in four years that has been done before June. The coaches reminded the players to work hard over the summer, to be careful, to come back in shape.

Winter, 81, told them he was done. Maybe. Probably. He is under contract for next season, but has requested a reduced role.