San Antonio Spurs: Where Gregg Popovich Ranks Among All-Time Coaches

Gregg Popovich has lead the San Antonio Spurs to tons of success and glory. Photo via Wikimedia user Zereshk

At this point, the name Gregg Popovich is synonymous with the San Antonio Spurs franchise. He’s been the head coach of the team since 1996 and in that time, he’s had immense success, winning four championships and only missing the playoffs twice. Popovich is known for many things; his frustrating tendencies to rest star players in televised games (TNT must still be reeling), his hilariously gruff interviews with Craig Sager (Popovich must have a dartboard of him in his basement) and his famous request for “some nasty” in the 2012 playoffs. Really, though, what he’s most known for is being one of the best NBA coaches of all-time.

When looking at Popovich’s stunning resume, one can’t help but wonder where he might rank among the best NBA coaches of all-time. His four titles can’t compete with the likes of Red Auerbach or Phil Jackson, but after that, very few can match up to his credentials. He’s been able to keep players producing at high levels at ages when they would normally be past their prime and he’s adapted to tons of personnel changes over the years.

Perhaps the best indicator of Popovich’s success as a coach is the sheer number of players who have thrived in his system. For evidence of this, one need look no further than the moves the Spurs made at the trade deadline in 2012. They brought in two key players; Boris Diaw and Stephen Jackson. While both of these players have strong track records, neither had done that much in the 2011-12 season prior to that point. Diaw had been putting up dreadful numbers on a Charlotte Bobcats team that would prove to be the worst in NBA history, while Jackson was wasting away on a mediocre Milwaukee Bucks team and was looking washed up. Each player began thriving once they joined the Spurs and both proved to be big parts of their playoff run in 2012. Once Diaw and Jackson had a chance to play in Popovich’s strong system, they looked a lot better and their careers were revitalized, because they had a purpose again.

This situation is hardly unique; Popovich has been able to get results from players who the rest of the league had passed on for years now. In 2010, no one thought Gary Neal was anything special, but he’s been an effective role player for the Spurs for three years now. Danny Green had done very little in his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but since going to San Antonio, he’s become one of the better 3-point shooters in the game and an integral part of the Spurs offense. Popovich’s ability to turn castoffs into useful players is unparalleled and a big part of why he is rightfully viewed as one of the best coaches of all time.

If you’ve watched a Spurs game in recent years, you know that the team’s offense is a thing of beauty. Wide open 3s are set up as the result of  extra passes and great communication. The Spurs are the most well-oiled machine in sports, as Popovich’s system continues to flummox even the most talented teams in the league. he plugs players in and out without a great deal of change happening. Maybe at some point, when Duncan eventually retires, he’ll struggle to adjust, but for now, he’s a king among men and it hardly seems like a stretch to say he’s one of the best NBA coaches we’ll ever see.