As talked about beforehand, an article entitled “Pop’s Unbelievable Longevity” revealed that San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has coached in opposition to 307 (now 308) completely different NBA coaches throughout his twenty-eight 12 months tenure on the helm.
For the reason that firing of Bob Hill in 1996, Pop has persistently coached the Spurs, give or take an ejection or two. Tonight the Spurs face off in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets.
The Brooklyn Nets have been initially referred to as the ABA New Jersey People in 1967, however modified their identify to the New York Nets in 1968. They remained the New York Nets by their transition into the NBA, once they modified their identify (and site) to the New Jersey Nets.
From 1977-2012, they might be the New Jersey Nets. and in 1996, they confronted off in opposition to Gregg Popovich for the primary time.
John Calipari (1996-1999) was the primary to oppose Pop. Calipari, like Pop, had served beneath Larry Brown on the College of Kansas, however they missed each other by a season.
Calipari received the Nets into the playoffs in 1998 the place they have been swept by the Chicago Bulls. A 3-17 begin to the 1999 Lockout 12 months despatched him packing.
Assistant coach Don Casey completed out 1999 (when the Spurs received their first NBA title!) with a 13-17 report. he stayed on yet one more 12 months earlier than retiring from basketball.
Acquainted for Byron Scott (2000-2004) began his head teaching profession with the Nets, taking them by back-to-back Finals losses (2003 to the Spurs!). Scott would coach in opposition to Pop in New Orleans, Cleveland, and Los Angeles by 2016. Scott was fired midseason as a result of a “disappointing” 22-20 report, which had the Nets main their division going into to the All-Star Break.
Scott was changed by assistant Lawrence Frank (2004-2009) who peaked in 2006 and noticed a gradual decline that led to his firing on November 29, 2009 after an 0-16 begin to the season.
Assistant coach Tom Barrise crammed in for 2 video games earlier than Kiki VanDeWeghe, particular assistant to group president and basic supervisor, agreed to imagine duties as interim head coach of the Nets whereas persevering with to be basic supervisor of the group. He completed out the season earlier than it was introduced he wouldn’t be returning.
Spurs legend Avery Johnson (2010-2012) took over. For 2 seasons, he struggled although two shedding seasons. His third season noticed a transfer to Brooklyn, ending along with his being fired in December.
Former Spurs assistant P. J. Carlesimo stood in as interim for the rest of the season, pulling a 35-19 report, sufficient for a playoff berth. Carlesimo had confronted his predecessor throughout stints in Portland, Golden State, and Seattle.
Nets legend Jason Kidd had a really hyped hiring returning to the Nets as head coach after a celebrated taking part in profession. For non-Nets followers (like me), his rookie teaching season was underscored by “Watergate,” which ought to have led to NBA teaching staffs having to make use of sippy cups.
Lionel Hollins, who had confronted Pop throughout his time in Memphis, took the helm for one season. He began the 2015-2016 season, however was fired after a 10-27 begin. Assistant Coach Tony Brown completed off the season.
Kenny Atkinson (2016-2020) had two tough seasons earlier than touchdown a visit into the postseason throughout his third seasons. He stepped down throughout the 2019-2020 season and Spurs former participant and assistant Jacque Vaugh stepped in for the final ten video games.
Steve Nash (2020-2022) led a star-studded Nets squad by two full seasons earlier than stepping down amid controversies with the gamers. Once more, assistant Jacque Vaughn stepped in.
Vaugh has stayed on this season and brings a rebuilding Nets at present the eleventh seed within the jap Convention. That is a kind of video games the place the Spurs have a combating probability from the onset.
Go Spurs Go!
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