Landon Buford
Gregg Popovich is the longest tenured coach in the NBA dating back to 1996. Before he took over as Spurs head coach, he served the general manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations after Peter Holt purchased the team.
Over the course of Pop’s coaching career, he’s had the opportunity to coach players such as Dennis Rodman, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Pau Gasol, Kawhi Leonard, DeMar DeRozan, and LaMarcus Aldridge. Popovich has also given a lot of coaches in this league opportunity over his two-decade career as an NBA coach. Coaches who are a part of Pop’s coaching tree, Steve Kerr, Doc Rivers, Brett Brown, Mike Budenholzer, Quin Snyder, Monty Williams, Jacque Vaughn, Earl Watson, Joe Prunty, James Borrego, Jim Boylen, Becky Hammon, and Mike Brown.
Speaking of coach Mike Brown, I spoke with the current assistant coach of Golden State Warriors and asked him some of the things he learned from Pop, that he has added to his coaching style.
“I have learned a ton of stuff from Pop. Obviously, he is an excellent X and O’s coach, but what people don’t understand is that he is a tremendous people manager. He manages people better anyone else in the business in my opinion. It is basically second to none. Being able to do that making everyone from 1 through 15 on your roster feel like they are a part of the journey. It is hard to accomplish when guys are making as much money as they do on this level. Pop makes everyone feel like they are part of the process and not only on the team but even a custodian working for the organization. Feels apart of the Spurs momentum and championship feeling because of a guy like Pop,” says coach Brown.
Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs just forced a game seven back in Denver against the Denver Nuggets. In the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs.
