Typically sunny however extra typically splenetic, Popovich dominated his fiefdom like a latter-day Crimson Auerbach, making nearly all the franchise choices that mattered. The Spurs named a common supervisor in 2002, and R.C. Buford, one other Larry Brown limb who’s now the franchise’s CEO, was a superb one. However even Buford deferred to the one man who mattered. “Everyone knows the buck stops with Pop,” Buford stated greater than as soon as.
As an outsider, there’s solely a lot we find out about a public determine like Popovich. However by all accounts by way of numerous completely different individuals embedded within the NBA, it’s validating to know that whereas many issues could change round him within the league and even in life, who Popovich is at his core by no means modified. Corridor of Fame basketball author Jack McCallum took a peak behind the orange, pink, and teal curtain and mirrored on Popovich’s early GM years and his NBA teaching profession with the Spurs. The charming article will be discovered right here.
Gregg Popovich outlined his legacy with the San Antonio Spurs on 5 fundamental tenets: (1) self-discipline, (2) draft Tim Duncan, (3) zag when others zigged, (4) set up/foster a successful tradition, and (5) humbly give others credit score. The fifth tenet stands proud in a means that Popovich doesn’t in relation to searching for the limelight. In robust losses, he could be on the forefront taking up the robust questions and taking all of the blame. In wins (huge and small), you’d see him in the back of the room or behind all of his gamers and assistant coaches whereas celebrating the workforce’s accomplishments.
Conversely, when the Dallas Cowboys gained their third Tremendous Bowl in 4 years in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 13-year-old me distinctly remembered Jerry Jones and Barry Switzer grabbing the Lombardi trophy from one another, metaphorically and actually seizing credit score for successful. Certain, Jerry Jones purchased the Cowboys, fired legendary head coach Tom Landry, employed his school pal Jimmy Johnson, who then traded Herschel Walker for draft picks that will flip into Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Darren Woodson, and Kevin Smith (Kevin Smith the All-Professional cornerback, not Kevin Smith the creator of Mallrats). Certain, Barry Switzer coached the workforce (that Jimmy Johnson constructed) to its third title in 4 years largely as a consequence of a roster filled with gifted gamers and principally not messing up a superb factor by proverbially swerving the bus off the street. Nonetheless, watching two grown males battle over a trophy on nationwide TV left an indelible mark on my early sports activities fandom.
Think about Peter Holt and Gregg Popovich preventing over the O’Brien Trophy whereas Troy Aikman and Joe Buck telestrate the scuffle. It’s simpler to think about Popovich embracing the three-point shot and sideline interviews. Make no mistake although, for all of Popovich’s no-nonsense humility, give-credit-where-credit-is-due mentality, and mantra of “gamers get credit score for wins whereas coaches get blamed for losses,” he seized a chance when it introduced itself.
Gregg Popovich the final supervisor memorably fired standard (and profitable) head coach Bob Hill in 1996. Solely an individual assured in their very own potential could be brash sufficient to fireside a longtime NBA head coach to rent himself. The factor with Popovich, although, is that he may need been daring, however he was nonetheless no-nonsense. Every thing is easy and accomplished with out flash or extreme drama.
Whereas Popovich typically stated he owes all of his success to Tim Duncan (being fortunate sufficient to draft him, simply getting out of the way in which and letting him play, and so forth.), make no mistake that Popovich is the architect of the Spurs Dynasty—the identical means Jimmy Johnson was the architect of the Cowboys Dynasty, simply with waaay much less drama.
McCallum duly famous:
Yr after yr, the Spurs have been the Spurs, and the Spurs have been, greater than something, Pop.
Informal followers observing the Spurs Dynasty will see Tim Duncan’s constant excellence, Manu Ginóbili’s chaotic brilliance, and Tony Parker’s high-speed fearlessness. Dig just a little deeper and also you’ll discover that the muse begins with Gregg Popovich. We as followers can solely hope that what he tirelessly constructed doesn’t finish along with his retirement from teaching.
