As talked about beforehand, an article entitled “Pop’s Unimaginable Longevity” revealed that San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has coached towards 307 completely different NBA coaches throughout his twenty-eight yr tenure on the helm.
Because the firing of Bob Hill in 1996, Pop has constantly coached the Spurs, give or take an ejection or two. Tonight the Spurs face off towards the Atlanta Hawks who’re of their first full season with Quin Snyder on the helm. He and Pop go manner again as Snyder was the top coach of the Utah Jazz from 2014-2022. Earlier than than, Quin was the top coach of the Austin Toros from 2007-2010.
Additionally repeats on this listing: Lenny Wilkens (1993-2000) and Nate McMillan (2021-2023).
One other acquainted face – Mike Budenholzer who was Pop’s assistant in San Antonio from 1996-2013, when he took the job in Atlanta.
After Lenny Wilkens left Atlanta, he was changed by Lon Kruger who served from 2000 to halfway by the 2002-03 season when he famously assured season ticket holders a visit to the playoffs or a $125 refund. He was fired midseason and the Hawks misplaced practically half-a-million {dollars}.
Kruger was changed by assistant coach Terry Stotts who will repeat on this listing once we speak about his 9 years in Portland. Stotts’ lone full season yielded a 28-54 report, ushering within the period of Mike Woodson.
Mike Woodson (2004-2010) introduced enhancements every season (not laborious while you begin 13-69 in your first season). Regardless of making the playoffs within the closing three of his six seasons, he was dismissed after being knocked out of the Jap Convention Semifinals in 2010.
Very long time assistant Larry Drew took his shot on the prime spot within the wake of the Woodson firing and noticed the Hawks by three seasons when no Jap Convention workforce might discover a approach to beat LeBron James and the Miami Warmth within the postseason. Drew’s contract expired in 2013 and the Hawks introduced in Coach Bud.
Bud had 5 season in Atlanta incomes Coach of the Yr honors in 2015 when the Hawks went 60-22. Every season thereafter.
Bud and the Hawks parted methods in 2018 after the Hawks didn’t make the playoffs and Lloyd Pierce was employed six days later. The previous assistant to the Cavaliers, Warriors, Grizzlies, and 76ers missed the playoffs in his first two seasons and was fired after a 14-20 begin to the 2020-21 marketing campaign.
Wilkens, McMillan, Budenholzer, Stotts, Snyder…we’re seeing that exterior of San Antonio (and maybe Miami) that leasing is perhaps preferable to purchasing when house-hunting…if you’re a head coach within the NBA.
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