Greg Popovich recently resigned as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after 29 years of responsibilities.
Popovich won five NBA championships in the extremely long Spurs tenure and falls as one of the best coaches in basketball history.
After announcing his decision at the 76-year-old, many players, experts and fans expressed their appreciation for everything he has done in his career.
Stephen A. Smith shared one Popovich story about his actions actually winning the title 20 years ago by the Detroit Pistons.
Smith first explained that Popovich respects Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown. However, he won two NBA titles (1999 and 2003) before Brown had.
It turns out that Popovich and Brown’s interaction after he was presented with the first ring prompted him to make a difficult decision, and ultimately led him to the Detroit Pistons.
Brown left the Pistons’ Philadelphia 76ers in 2003, winning the championship just a year later, earning point guard Chauncy Billup as his best player.
“I knew I was a beat writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, covering Larry Brown for the Philadelphia 76ers. He loved this guy,” Smith said.
“Popovich was a protégé for the Larry Browns. I remember when Popovich won his first ring. The opening game of the following season was the 76ers against the San Antonio Spurs.
“Popovich walked over to his mentor, Larry Brown, sat down and shared the ring with him as he hadn’t won that particular moment yet.
“That was what prompted Larry Brown to leave from Philadelphia and eventually go to Detroit, where he filmed his first ring.
“But you saw that Popovich did it and what he had with him, and you knew what was going on. It was incredible. It was really. Popovich is amazing.”
It’s a shame Popovich feels he can no longer coach the Spurs, but it’s great for an organization where he remains in another role.
The three-time NBA Coach of the Year (2003, 2021, 2014) is one of the greatest minds in the sport and can help you with decisions such as drafting players and buying free agency.
Future superstar Victor Wenbagnama and All-Star teammate Dearon Fox lead the team and together with other talented young people, the Spurs’ future is bright.
Moreover, they always have assets to turn long-term promises into short-term expectations. For example, Popovich was able to sanction Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blockbuster trade this offseason.