As talked about beforehand, an article entitled “Pop’s Unimaginable Longevity” revealed that San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has coached in opposition to 307 completely different NBA coaches throughout his twenty-eight yr tenure on the helm.
For the reason that firing of Bob Hill in 1996, Pop has constantly coached the Spurs, give or take an ejection or two. Tonight the Spurs play the Detroit Pistons.
Pop’s historical past of teaching in opposition to the mighty Motor Metropolis begins with Doug Collins (1995-1998). In his third yr as head coach in Detroit, he was fired and changed by his assistant Alvin Gentry.
Gentry, who kicked off his NBA teaching profession as an assistant in San Antonio, completed off the 1998 season and led the Pistons to a 29-21 document within the shortened 1999 lockout season. He began the centennial marketing campaign, however was changed by George Irvine late within the season.
Irvine stayed on for the 2000-2001 season, however the 32-50 document primarily ended his profession.
From 2001-2003, the Pistons employed Rick Carlisle who had back-to-back 50-32 seasons, together with Central Division titles and playoff appearances. Moreover, Carlisle was named the 2002 NBA Coach of the 12 months.
Following Carlisle’s departure, Pop’s mentor Larry Brown stepped in. Brown racked up back-to-back 54-28 seasons with Finals appearances as well. In 2004, the Pistons defeated an All-Star stacked Laker squad. The next yr, Pop confronted off in opposition to his mentor within the 2005 NBA Finals. The Spurs took the collection, however solely after using all seven video games.
After the 2 Finals appearances, Brown flirted with altering groups. Because of this, the Pistons purchased him out and employed Flip Saunders. Saunders stayed three seasons, which up till now, was essentially the most consistency Pop noticed from an opposing coach in Detroit.
Flip was adopted by Michael Curry (2008-2009) who had performed for the Pistons throughout two stints of his profession. Negotiations have been being made to usher in Avery Johnson, however talks broke.
Six dropping seasons noticed a revolving door together with John Kuester (2009-2011), Lawrence Frank (2011-2013), Maurice Cheeks and John Loyer (2013-2014); lastly ending with the hiring of Stan Van Gundy (2014-2018) the place he had one profitable season paired with the Pistons first postseason look since 2009.
Van Gundy was launched from his duties and head coach and president of basketball operations, making room for Dwane Casey.
Casey, recent off being named the 2018 NBA Coach of the 12 months and being fired by the Toronto Raptors, moved to Detroit. His 5 seasons have been the longest tenure since Chuck Daly.
The Pistons, in a seemingly endless cycle of rebuilding, solely made one playoff berth throughout Casey’s half-decade. This season, he’s within the Piston’s entrance workplace.
The Pistons are led into tonight’s match by former Spurs participant Monty Williams. Williams additionally served as a workers intern with the Silver & Black throughout their 2005 Championship season.
The Pistons are 3-33, making them the Spurs greatest probability for a win.
Go Spurs Go!
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