The San Antonio Spurs and Gregg Popovich will eventually part ways when Popovich decides he is done with his career. Until then, the Spurs once again are on the brink of another dynasty run.
It’s a lot of pressure to put on Victor Wembanyama who has yet to play a game in the NBA. Yet historically the Spurs continue to dominate with the consistency that is Popovich.
Gregg Popovich Has Chance Of Being Greatest Coach Ever
"Honest relationship. I've had coaches who didn't always tell me the truth & I hated that… [Pop] tells the truth. Sometimes it's harsh… but this is what I want."
Victor Wembanyama on the relationship he wants to have with Spurs coach Gregg Popovichpic.twitter.com/z2g6hARBJA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 7, 2023
What If Gregg Popovich Retired Today?
It’s impossible to make a list of greatest basketball coaches without including Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls head coach Phil Jackson. Jackson currently holds the record for most finals appearances (13) and championships (12) as a coach.
While Popovich likely won’t catch up to Jackson in ring count, both are comparable to their own greatness. Where Popovich lacks in championships makes up for in team success.
Popovich holds the record for most 50-win seasons as a head coach (18) which sits one more ahead of Jackson. Popovich also holds the edge on Coach of the Year awards with three while Jackson sits at one.
Both coaches have also been dealt their fair share of all time players. Jackson of course arguably having the greatest player of all time in Michael Jordan. The dominance of Jackson’s philosophy didn’t end with the Bulls as Lakers greats Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal showed the basketball world his rings were no fluke.
Popovich on the other hand has been dealt a once small market team in the Spurs. Thanks to his long success with Hall of Famers David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker, Popovich turned the Spurs into a dynasty.
🏀 Who was the better coach:
Gregg Popovich or Phil Jackson? pic.twitter.com/vawUGP3FnX— Is that a Real Question, RICAN?🇨🇷 (@richcoastrican) May 10, 2023
One More Championship Run
Popovich’s advantage over Jackson is being with one franchise for his entire career. Both Jackson and Popovich were apart of some of the greatest teams the league has ever seen and still dominated.
Popovich has earned a championship in three different decades, beat out a prime LeBron James led Miami Heat team after losing the previous year, and now has a chance to do it again with Wembanyama. It’s truly a sight to behold.
This of course is not to discredit the greatness of coaches currently in the league. Erik Spoelstra and Steve Kerr have cemented themselves in history as all-time coaches, but both still sit in the shadow of Popovich.
Kerr being a predecessor of Popovich has distinct plays that resemble the beautiful ball movement of the Spurs. Popovich will need to catch up and develop a three-point specialized team, but the front office has done what is needed to form the team Popovich needs.
The Last Word On Gregg Popovich
With five more years of Popovich there is plenty of time for another championship run. The NBA world will truly get to see if Wembanyama can live up to his pre-draft hype.
With arguably the greatest prospect on your side Popovich can once again dive into his deep mind of tricks. Another dynasty is on the horizon. A welcome sight for any Spurs fan.
Where will Popovich end up when it is all said and done? Six rings and it will be hard to argue against him being the greatest basketball coach ever.
