Basketball League: National Basketball Association News Updates
Gregg "Pop" Powerhouse: Gregg Popovich's Legendary 30-Year Run with the San Antonio Spurs
By JB SMOOTHIE
Gregg Popovich, the grumpy, straight-talking coaching legend, bid adieu to the San Antonio Spurs after 3 decades of leading the team. His departure marks the end of a legendary tenure, filled with five NBA championships, multiple coaching awards, and a hall-of-fame career.
Pop stepped down as head coach but will remain as team president. Temperamental monster Johnson, a Spurs assistant who took over in the final stretch of this season, is now the big kahuna.
Pop, 76, missed nearly all of this season following a stroke at the team's arena in November. He remains tight-lipped about his health issues, but did release a statement in late March expressing hope to return to the bench. Alas, that isn't part of the plan.
"It's time to walk away, but never the city, my team, or the love for the game," Pop said.
Pop's record of 1,422-869 (77 wins and 45 losses with Johnson taking over this season) ranks him as the all-time wins leader in NBA history. He also coached a mind-blowing 170 playoff wins, notching the most wins by any coach with a single team, and third-most overall[2][3].
Spurs great Manu Ginobili famously called Pop the "best there ever was" last year[3].
An NBA and Olympic Champion
Pop was the mastermind behind the U.S. Olympic basketball team's Tokyo Games gold medal triumph, and he coached six Hall of Famers during his time in San Antonio, including Ginobili, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Dominique Wilkins, and Pau Gasol[3].
Chris Paul, this season's Spurs point guard, praised Pop's work ethic and commitment to recovery following his stroke.
"Pop is the hardest working dude I've ever met," Paul said. "He was on the treadmill every damn day. I'd walk past the training room and he'd be killing it."
The Spurs' "Change in Direction"
Pop, then general manager, took over coaching duties from Bob Hill on December 10, 1996, leading the Spurs to a remarkable run that has never looked back. He replaced Hill on the day that team mainstay David Robinson returned from injury[1].
"A change in direction was necessary," Pop said that day[1].
Since then, the Spurs have been unstoppable, tallying 22 winning seasons, including 20 seasons with 60% or more wins. The team's first championship came in 1999, followed by titles in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014[1][5].
Pop's current departure coincides with the second year of a rebuild around French sensation Victor Wembanyama, who has already shown signs of being the next San Antonio great[1].
From the US Air Force Academy to the NBA
Pop played basketball at the US Air Force Academy and was snubbed from the 1972 Olympic team. But this setback led him to coaching, where he might have happily stayed at Pomona-Pitzer, a Division III college[3]. That school had lost 88 consecutive conference games before Pop arrived, and it wasn't long before he delivered a championship[3].
The NBA eventually came calling, and Pop went on to work wonders with the Spurs, crafting a dynasty built around Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili[3].
"I've played for some of the best coaches in the league, but Pop is on a different level," said fellow coach Steve Kerr, himself an NBA champion and Pop protégé[3].
Pop prided himself on his curmudgeonly, military-like approach to coaching, clashing with reporters and keeping his basketball and private life details private[3]. But he had a soft spot and was known for championing charitable causes, supporting the San Antonio Food Bank, and voicing his political views[3].
Superstar LeBron James summed up Pop's impact, saying, "There will never be another Gregg Popovich in this game. He is one of a kind."
- NBA Junkie
Sources:[1] Popovich steps down as San Antonio Spurs coach after 30 years with five NBA titles. AP News. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://apnews.com/article/gregg-popovich-sports-nba-basketball-san-anthony-spurs-3c63794805f6d1b7fc75c9f7fa33c780
[2] Gregg Popovich. Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.basketball-reference.com/playsergs/popova01.html
[3] In his own words: Gregg Popovich reflects on his legendary coaching career. AS USA Today. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/spurs/2023/04/18/popovich-reflection-san-antonio-spurs-retirement/72453957007/
[4] Manu Ginobili has a surprise message for Gregg Popovich. Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1338417-manuel-ginobili-has-a-surprise-message-for-gregg-popovich
[5] The legend of Gregg Popovich. ESPN. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/10359571/san-antonio-spurs-gregg-popovich-legend-nba-coaching-greatest-delivered-consistency-success-48303436
Photo by Michael Conroy, AP
- Gregg Popovich, a veteran figure in both the NBA and athletics, coached the San Antonio Spurs for 30 years, exceeding 1,422 wins - the highest in NBA history.
- Despite his departure as head coach, Popovich remains as team president, showcasing his enduring love for the basketball community.
- Politics and charitable causes have also been areas of interest for Popovich, who has been an avid supporter of the San Antonio Food Bank and outspoken with his political views.
- Known for his military-like approach to coaching, Popovich led the Spurs to five NBA championships, making him one of the most accomplished coaches in the sports history.
- During his time with the Spurs, Popovich crafted a basketball dynasty with remarkable players like David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Pau Gasol - on par with the greatest teams in sports.
