Good article on Greg Popovich

[outhereincali]

I had forgotten he's been in San Antonio since 1988. Graduated with a degree in foreign relations from the AFA. Just a knowledgeable, just as politically astute as Phil Jackson but he didn't brag about it like PJ did.

'It's Pop's decision. He's earned that': Inside Gregg Popovich's fight to return to the sideline

For the first time in 30 years, the legendary coach has been on a different sideline, battling to return to what he once was. This is the story of his season -- and what might come next for the proud franchise he leads.

www.espn.com

 

[diadevic]

Not a fan of his. Shut up and dribble.

 

[WRLHookem]

Not a fan of his. Shut up and dribble.

On occasion his schtick was funny but most of the time he was just an a-hole.

 

[outhereincali]

If there is anyone responsible for the success of the San Antonio Spurs its Greg Popovich. I was wanting him to be the hc since David Robinson was a rookie and Larry Brown was the coach.

He has been a shrewed judge of talent draft picks, trades, free agent signings you name. Guys who have come and gone had high praise for him. Guys come to play here because of him. Lots of guys have stayed here after their playing days. He's a cultured, he's a cultured, leaned, and articulate man.

The Spurs are the most stable franchise in the NBA bar none and Greg Popovich is the reason why

 

[Etlonghorn]

R.C. Buford was the GM from 2002 to 2019. I'd say he's got a pretty good argument as to who's been responsible for the Spurs run. At the very least, he gets some of the credit.
As far as Pop being a good coach, maybe. He had 3 HOF'ers for most of his championship run. So was he a good coach or was he just smart enough to get out of the way and let his stars play. You can't give him credit for the championships without dinging him for averaging 6th place in the West since 2014.
You say he's cultured, learned, and articulate. I say he's a pompous ass that likes to hear himself talk and thinks he smarter than everyone else.

 

[clob94]

4 guys that donned Spurs uniforms during Pop's career are hall of famers.
Let's not kid ourselves. From 89 to 97 the Spurs were a very good, competative team. But when they got lucky and were handed the #1 pick in the draft to get Duncan- they became NBA front runners over night. All Pop had to do was wind them up and point the way.
Now granted- the dude knows basketball. To say he doesn't is just pure nonsense. But when you've got one of the greatest big men in history and the best power forward ever (Charles Barkley said it) it makes you looked like a REALLY good coach.
Then a couple of years later you draft a point guard out of France (they got SO lucky with that pick) and the next year you grab the greatest 6th man to ever play the game- let's be honest- life as a coach gets a SH!T ton easier for you.
Kudos to Pop. But honestly, I think Lenny Wilkins wins just as many with the same team.

 

[diadevic]

He won titles. That can’t be disputed. He also was GM and fired HIS coach after Robinson got hurt early in the season, resulting in the worst record in the league and the first pick in the draft - Tim Duncan. And “shrewdly” hired himself to coach. Which is all ok except that he called anyone who opposed his political views “ignorant.” He’s a bully who beat up on sideline reporters for fun and should shut up and dribble.

 

[outhereincali]

Tony Parker was the last pick in the first round. Everyone but the Spurs ignored him. In '99 the spurs got the draft rights to Manu Ginobili. Three years later he joined the Spurs and the rest is history.

He also was shrewd in picking up players from other teams guys who won champions with other teams and brought their experience to the Spurs guys like Mario Ehle and especially Steve Kerr. He found good players, all stars, who never had a chance to win a championship. He brought them to San Antonio and got them a ring.

And he's responsible for all of them. Players who were defiant towards authority like Robert Horry and Stephen Jackson really liked him.

Now in regards to the press I didn't like the way he acted towards them not one bit especially sideline reporters. But his wife put him in his place and he changed his act. He became friends with Craig Sager and attended his funeral. He's friends with Mike Breen and Doris Burke and is a better interview now.

Arrogant? Have you forgotten Pat Riley and especially Phil Jackson? Opinionated when the fans booed Kawhi Leonard on his return to San Antonio he got on the loudspeaker and told the fans to stop and show respect to what KL brought to the Spurs. Politics too liberal? Hey it's republican coaches fault for not speaking their minds.

When is comes to sports my hometown San Antonio has always been the other city in Texas Because of Greg Popovich we're on the map now. Will be come back? I don't think so. The same people from RC Buford on down have been there for years everything is in place.

And did any of you guys even bother to read the article? None of what I said here is even in the article. An interesting man.

 

[Drtxhorn]

He’s been a great coach who lucked his way into having 4 hall of famers on his roster. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were discovered by a video coordinator named Sam Presti, who now happens to be the GM for the OKC Thunder. Presti is considered to be one of the best talent evaluators the NBA has had over the past few decades.

Pop needs to go away. There’s no reason for him to keep coaching. He’s really not about winning right now. He’s more interested in food and wine than winning basketball games.

 

[Oldmanastro]

He ain’t coming back. That stroke did more harm than they are letting on.

 

[outhereincali]

He’s been a great coach who lucked his way into having 4 hall of famers on his roster. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were discovered by a video coordinator named Sam Presti, who now happens to be the GM for the OKC Thunder. Presti is considered to be one of the best talent evaluators the NBA has had over the past few decades.

Pop needs to go away. There’s no reason for him to keep coaching. He’s really not about winning right now. He’s more interested in food and wine than winning basketball games.

He's 76 years old and just had a stroke he's more interested in being alive than anything else.

 

[outhereincali]

Well the spurs season ended yesterday. They're a lottery team again. I was disgusted by teams like the jazz and the 76ers who tanked their seasons intentionally.

The spurs did not have a good defensive team even with Wemby. They didn't shoot the ball well either. But they played hard after Wemby and Fox missed the rest of the season. I was proud of the way they came from behind to beat the warriors. They were fighting to get in without having to go through the play in and the spurs denied them.

I think Popovich should step down He's a great coach but even with all the championships there comes a time when you need fresh blood. The spurs job is an attractive one. It's a solid organization with a winning tradition. They have world class facilities. Players that have played here liked playing for the Spurs.

Mostly they have Wemby. Most coaches would get down on their hands and knees giving thanks to the Almighty for getting to coach him But Mitch Johnson is not the one.

Go spurs go

 

[outhereincali]

And for @hookem777. My heart goes out to you pal for what Nico Harrison did to your team. You have an incredible player in his prime and you trade him for someone who's best days are behind him.

And Houston folks who are disappointed by the cougars falling short. Imho the rockets have a real chance to get to the finals. Last week they proved that OKC is not a shoo in to win the west. Don't go to sleep on your rockets.

 

[hookem777]

And for @hookem777. My heart goes out to you pal for what Nico Harrison did to your team. You have an incredible player in his prime and you trade him for someone who's best days are behind him.

And Houston folks who are disappointed by the cougars falling short. Imho the rockets have a real chance to get to the finals. Last week they proved that OKC is not a shoo in to win the west. Don't go to sleep on your rockets.

Fck Nico and the Mavs . I won't watch them until he's fired

 

[oldhorn2]

For those that think Pop was only great because of great luck in having great players....y'all aint paying attention. the guy many acclaim as the greatest ever never had to build a team in his life....Phil Jackson. When he went to the Bulls, Pippen and Jordon were already there. When Jordon went off to play baseball he did not win. Jordon came back and he won again. Then he goes to the Lakers with all the talent they had Kobe and Shack....he won again.

Pop was dead right to fire Bob Hill?...Many cried bloody murder, but Hill never did shit anywhere else....same as he did in San Antonio. Pop made great players great and the players loved playing for him......but, just like me he got old.

 

[clob94]

For those that think Pop was only great because of great luck in having great players....y'all aint paying attention. the guy many acclaim as the greatest ever never had to build a team in his life....Phil Jackson. When he went to the Bulls, Pippen and Jordon were already there. When Jordon went off to play baseball he did not win. Jordon came back and he won again. Then he goes to the Lakers with all the talent they had Kobe and Shack....he won again.

Pop was dead right to fire Bob Hill?...Many cried bloody murder, but Hill never did shit anywhere else....same as he did in San Antonio. Pop made great players great and the players loved playing for him......but, just like me he got old.

Come on boss....... having David and Tim REALLY helped.

 

[oldhorn2]

Clob....I never said it didn't. Of course Tim and David made Pop a winner. I just get a little bent that people think Phil Jackson made players great instead of vice versa

 

[outhereincali]

Come on boss....... having David and Tim REALLY helped.

He traded and drafted very well around those guys.

 

[WRLHookem]

Clob....I never said it didn't. Of course Tim and David made Pop a winner. I just get a little bent that people think Phil Jackson made players great instead of vice versa

Great coaches are great because they were able to keep the team together politically, psychologically and schematically. Of course Phil doesn’t win without Jordan, Pippen, Koby, Shaq, et al. but his ability to sustain teamwork and a little luck is incredible. Serious question, I don’t have the answer, is there any coach that won repeated (not just one lucky one) championships just because he was lucky and had great players? Open for discussion. All sports included.

 

[WRLHookem]

Great coaches are great because they were able to keep the team together politically, psychologically and schematically. Of course Phil doesn’t win without Jordan, Pippen, Koby, Shaq, et al. but his ability to sustain teamwork and a little luck is incredible. Serious question, I don’t have the answer, is there any coach that won repeated (not just one lucky one) championships just because he was lucky and had great players? Open for discussion. All sports included.

Alternatively, who are the great coaches out there that only won a single championship? I’ll start with Mack Brown.

 

[outhereincali]

Great coaches are great because they were able to keep the team together politically, psychologically and schematically. Of course Phil doesn’t win without Jordan, Pippen, Koby, Shaq, et al. but his ability to sustain teamwork and a little luck is incredible. Serious question, I don’t have the answer, is there any coach that won repeated (not just one lucky one) championships just because he was lucky and had great players? Open for discussion. All sports included.

Repeat champs
Rudy T good coach never underestimate the heart of a champion

Eric Spoelstra good coach he showed me something that he took a couple of average Miami teams to the NBA finals

Steve Kerr need I say anything more

Joe Mazzula wait and see

These guys know how to relate to individual personalities. You can't treat everyone the same. Phil Jackson got Kobe and Shaq to finally together.

 

[oldhorn2]

Alternatively, who are the great coaches out there that only won a single championship? I’ll start with Mack Brown.

I cannot think of a coach that came so damned VERY CLOSE to greatness than Mack. The only thing seperating him from uber greatness was FREAKY bad luck. In 2008 he missed a chance at a championship when a very good DB did not make an interception at thwe end of the Tech game.....and even then it took a criminally dishonest coach that had a vote in the national poll to leave Texas entirely out of the top 25 in his vote on the final poll.....ok, on to next year....In the title game....Texas has the lead and is poised in the red zone to get another TD when a freaky injury takes Colt out of the game.....which was still undecided inside 3 minutes to play. That win propelled Saban onto his championship run.

Mack did himself in by not wanting to embarrass opponents by running up the score which would have allowed him to get his Freshman 5 * QB ready with some playing experience.

 

[clob94]

Alternatively, who are the great coaches out there that only won a single championship? I’ll start with Mack Brown.

Nick Nurse........ ya.... I'll wait while you Google that dude....

Just kidding..... he wasn't a great coach.

 

[diadevic]

Great coaches are great because they were able to keep the team together politically, psychologically and schematically. Of course Phil doesn’t win without Jordan, Pippen, Koby, Shaq, et al. but his ability to sustain teamwork and a little luck is incredible. Serious question, I don’t have the answer, is there any coach that won repeated (not just one lucky one) championships just because he was lucky and had great players? Open for discussion. All sports included.

Switzer.

 

[Oldmanastro]

He ain’t coming back:

Source: Popovich out of hospital after incident

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was taken to a hospital after an incident at a restaurant Tuesday but is now home and doing fine, a source confirmed to ESPN.

www.espn.com

 

[clob94]

He ain’t coming back:

Source: Popovich out of hospital after incident

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was taken to a hospital after an incident at a restaurant Tuesday but is now home and doing fine, a source confirmed to ESPN.

www.espn.com

Ya. He done.