Legendary coach Greg Popovich has resigned from his role with the San Antonio Spurs.
After sitting for a year due to health issues, Greg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs announced they will no longer be head coaches after 2025-26.
The stars, including Victor Wembanyama, paid tribute along with one of the former protégé Kawhi Leonard.
The LA Clippers superstar praised Popovich’s “an incredible career” and continued until he could no longer do so, laying the foundation for another era of Spurs’ success.
Kawhi Leonard was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2011 and was playing in the NBA Finals by the end of his second season.
Leonard and the Spurs were separated from beating the Miami Heat in Game 6 before Ray Allen’s legendary shot saved the day for their opponents led by Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.
The Heat scored Game 7 with a score of 95-88, while Popovich reflected on Miami’s second consecutive title.
Popovich gave a classy response to Miami’s victory and paid tribute to his opponents, saying, “Step up to the playoffs. Tonight’s great examples were Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.
“It’s some of the best basketball they’ve played both at the same time throughout the playoffs from what I saw.
“When someone like Shane (Batier) is out of the bench and knocking it down like he did, it’s hard to match. If you fit it, you have to be pretty perfect. We didn’t think we played the best game in that respect.”
There was one San Antonio Spurs player who was very impressed by Popovich’s coach after losing Game 7.
“I just talked to Kauhi and told him that he was absolutely amazing. No one expected him to play at this young age as he has throughout the playoffs. He’s a really made star.
“He’s just beginning to feel what he has. He’s like a little baby who learns how to walk as far as NBA basketball is concerned.”
Within 12 months, Kawhi Leonard and San Antonio Spurs were NBA champions, destroying the Heat 4-1 in the 2014 final.
This experience paid off in 2019 when they supplied the Toronto Raptors to beat the Toronto Raptors to the title.
He went on to join LA Clippers. This is an experience of disappointment, mainly due to injuries.
Kawhi has backed down for years with his performance in the series against the Denver Nuggets, a final Game 7 loss.