As news came down of San Antonio declaring January 28th “Gregg Popovich Day,” one could only acknowledge the impact he’s had on the city and surrounding areas.
Gregg Popovich has more staying power than the KPop Demon Hunters’ run presently on Netflix. He was an institution in his own right. Upon taking the reins back in 1996 for the fired Bob Hill, the Spurs were in desperate straits. The transactions were indicative of the times, they re-signed the likes of Vernon Maxwell, who was well past his prime, and even grabbed Dominique Wilkins, who the season prior was playing over in Greece.
This was the roster Popovich inherited, and the results were as you’d expect, with just 20 wins and 13th in the Western Conference. The fortunes would change shortly thereafter upon winning the Tim Duncan sweepstakes. Duncan would ultimately win Rookie of the Year honors and, alongside David Robinson, begin a window of dominance.
The first title came in 1999, with others following in ’03, ’05, ’07, and 2014. Some of the personnel changed, but the system and the culture kept winning again and again.
More: Stephen A. Smith on confrontation with LeBron James
Hall of Fame coach George Karl reflected with Sporting News on the five titles that came to The Alamo City. “Pop has been a leader of the NBA game for three decades, and his championship ways have touched me personally and many others who love to teach the game. He’s just a special leader, and a tremendous coach, but to me, he’s even a better person,” said Karl.
A new era of Spurs basketball will officially be ushered in on Wednesday night when they travel 285 miles north to Dallas to face a revamped Mavs squad that features Cooper Flagg.
More NBA News:
- Knicks gain unlikely 2026 NBA Finals favor from longtime nemesis
- Joel Embiid stamps major ‘Top 100 basketball player’ statement in his NBA return for 76ers
- Lakers insider: Dalton Knecht gets ‘relatively negative’ reviews from NBA circles amid potential trade
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admits huge motivation about facing his former Clippers team