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.