Best coach/player pairing in San Antonio Spurs history: Gregg Popovich & Tim Duncan
It doesn’t get any better than this. Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich are without a doubt the most iconic coach/player duo the NBA has to offer.
Duncan’s career speaks for itself. A 15-time All-NBA member, five-time NBA champion and the greatest power forward of all-time, Duncan left his mark on the league. Meanwhile, Popovich was riding right by his side, coaching the San Antonio Spurs to nearly two decades of dominance.
The Spurs saw many roster changes throughout their dynasty. Beginning with David Robinson, transitioning to Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili and finishing with Kawhi Leonard, two things remained the same across each championship team. Popovich and Duncan were behind each victory.
No other duo has seen as much success as these two. It didn’t matter what was thrown at them, Pop and Duncan found a way to overcome each obstacle. In their 19 seasons together, they never missed the postseason once.
Pop stands as one of just two coaches to ever win the Coach of the Year award three times. His career as a coach will certainly land him in the basketball Hall-of-Fame as his legacy will forever be remembered.
The same goes for Duncan. It is only a matter of time before his name is etched into the basketball Hall of Fame as his jersey has already been retired by the Spurs organization. His prolonged success in the league should be the standard for all incoming superstars looking to have a legendary career.