With the Nets expected to seek a permanent head coach once their season ends, one long-shot target for the organization appears to be Gregg Popovich, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times writes.
While Woike’s report stresses that Popovich departing San Antonio after two decades of excellence is unlikely at best, the Nets figure to take their best shot at landing the legendary head coach. Sources familiar with both the Nets and Spurs expect Brooklyn to explore the possibility, according to Woike.
With the All-Star duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving expected healthy for Brooklyn in 2020/21, a coach of Popovich’s caliber would further legitimize the Nets’ championship aspirations. However, there are many factors not working in Brooklyn’s favor, including Popovich’s lengthy tenure with the Spurs and the fact that he remains under contract for next season.
Popovich, the NBA’s oldest head coach at 71, strongly indicated this week that he would return to the Spurs’ bench for another season in 2020/21.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Popovich asked, per Marc Stein of The New York Times.
“Pop has a job. So, I will say that,” Marks said. “And, obviously, we all know he’s an amazing, amazing coach, and to be quite frank, an even better leader. So, I’ll let Pop continue to coach for the Spurs. He owes it to them and they owe it to him. I’m sure he’s quite happy there.”
Adding a five-time NBA champion coach with the most wins in league history to the sidelines would be a major coup for a Brooklyn team looking for its next leader. At this stage, however, it seems more a case of wishful thinking than a possible reality.
Interim head coach Jacque Vaughn is expected to receive strong consideration for the Nets’ permanent job, with Tyronn Lue, Jason Kidd, Jeff Van Gundy, and Ime Udoka among those who have also been named as possible candidates.
Time for Brooklyn to give Pop a godfather offer one he can’t refuse
Make him an offer he can’t refuse. Bring him and Tim Duncan
I’d think if Pop actually did leave the Spurs that Duncan would get strong consideration as his replacement.
Sign Tim Duncan as our Head Coach!
Only way I think he leaves spurs is if he gets an ownership stake somewhere else.
I don’t know if that goes against the CBA.
I know players can not own a team as a active player I don’t know if that goes for coaches and gms.
I thought that’s what miami did with Pat Riley back in the day.
Coaches and GMs can. Pat Riley had all sorts of positions with the Heat and he has an ownership share.
They should just give JV the job. He’s earned it. They would probably have to give a pick to the Spurs for Pop since he’s still under contract.
I’d like to date Amber Heard. It’s not going to happen, like ever. At least now I can say I have every bit as much chance of that as the Nets do of landing Pop, though. Even if those odds are .000001%. Lol.
Seriously however, what’s that pitch going to be? Come coach Kyrie?! If the going rate is 8-9m, having to deal with Kyrie likely raises that figure, in my mind.
How permanent can he be? He’s 71
TJECK109 As long as he would be permanent enough to make it through at least most of the KD and Kyrie era they probably don’t care.
lol
All he needs is one championship in NY and he will get a statue.
There’s a better chance Derek Jeter will head coach of the Nets.
Not sure about that. They offer him big money and of course the Spurs out of respect would let Popovich pursue anything he wanted. There’s something about creating a legacy that is deep within a man as he gets older. The challenge even though he’s 71 would be a tremendous Allure.
Pop is smart.
To get a chance to make a boatload of money coaching Durant and Kyrie… I don’t see how he turns that down (if he actually does get tge offer). He can always go back home to San Antonio.
Or Jason Giambi
Man some of y’all actually thinking it can actually happen lmao. While y’all are at it, might as well try to get pat Riley out retirement to coach for them. Jeez yes the nba is unpredictable, but at this point pop is never leaving the spurs. Y’all should’ve tried earlier. Tough stuff
It’s all about a legacy my friend. With the Spurs right now he’s spinning his wheels. Not much going on there for the next two seasons and I think he has two great years he could give to the Nets. Sure it’s a long shot but I really like the idea.
This almost has to be a smokescreen. There’s no way the Nets would convince Pop to abandon the Spurs without a lucrative contract and coughing up a significant draft pick. They’d be better off either retaining Vaughn or hiring a veteran such as Lue or Jackson
I actually think there’s a chance. Could be a tremendous challenge for Popovich and I believe he’d be up for it. He’s not sailing off into the sunset just yet. 71 is the new 51. And the Spurs of course out of total respect for Popovich would definitely allow him to pursue something if he wanted to. Absolutely. Greg of course out of respect for the Spurs would ask their permission of course. But they would let him pursue anything he wanted.
Spinning his wheels? Needing to secure his legacy? You know who this is?
71 is not the new 51 and the NBA legend that is Pops is not suddenly insecure about who he is and what he’s done.
He did not discover everlasting life and he’s not going to be putting all his energy into this forever. He had his stamp on an organization and he’s ruled it like few ever have. He’s not starting over to makeover a new organization. Wishful thinking. He has not got that much of an uphill battle left in him.
Neo, no I don’t know who this is. Are you special?
Spinning his wheels? Yes… where are the Spurs going anytime soon? You tell me.
Needing to secure his legacy? I never said any such thing. Don’t put words in my mouth and I won’t put anything in yours. Deal? His legacy is solid and set in stone. One of the greatest coaches of all time.
71 is the new 51. Look around. Not sure how old you are but I’m definitely not calling it a career. I’ve got plenty more to go and plenty of challenges ahead. I’m not settling for the rocking chair just yet. You might, but that’s just you. Unless you’re not close to my age group then you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Insecure about what he’s done? What are you talking about? He’s one of the greatest coaches ever. Who’s insecure? Please don’t make up stuff.
Don’t underestimate what’s within a man… whether he’s 21 or 71. You don’t become one of the greatest coaches to ever walk the sidelines by not having something inside you that crave’s a challenge and will go at said challenge full force with everything within them.
The chance of Popovich going to the Nets is extremely Slim, but it wouldn’t surprise me. As I said, the thought actually intrigues me.
Lue is the absolute best choice for Brooklyn. Let the stars play and don’t get in their way.
You need direction on that team. We’ve seen Kevin Durant in Oakland become unhappy because he didn’t get enough touches. And the Warriors move the ball very well and have an unselfish team. Steph doesn’t care if he gets 15 or 50 if they’re winning. Klay doesn’t care how he gets his 20 shots because he’s going to take them anyway anyhow he doesn’t care.
But in Brooklyn you’ve got Kyrie dribbling a little too much and Durant standing at the top of the key waiting for the ball. It’ll almost be like playing with Westbrook. A good coach is very necessary there to sort this out.
Tyronn Lue would just let Durant be LeBron but the thing is Kyrie Irving is not 21 23 years old anymore. He wants to be the man himself. It’s going to be a mess without solid Direction and Leadership from the sidelines. That’s not Tyronn Lue.
Lue is a good coach for hero-ball, for using screens to get advantageous matchups. He also builds his system around a star recognition, which, is a lot of reality, but not good for defense.
How do we really know how good a coach Lue is? Who hasn’t won with LeBron?
lol People think Popovich should retire and even keep “giving” the Spurs job to Hammon or Duncan. Not happening.
If Pops would have gunned for the #9 slot he may have made it an kept his playoff string alive. But no he used the camp to give his young players some PT.
According to Nets owner joe Tsai. he is seeking for partner ship，ownership
I’m willing to go way out on a limb here and bet an American dollar that Pops will not be coaching the Nets next season…
You’d rather Popovich stay in San Antonio and watch DeMar DeRozan dribble the ball off his foot with four seconds left to go in game 7 of a first-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets?
Pops leaving San Antonio? That’s funny…
Tell me, what does Greg Popovich have to look forward to the next three years in San Antonio?
I’m not saying it’s happening, but I love the thought of it. His legacy is already established with the Spurs why not take on another challenge?
The exact reason you’re saying he should leave for the Nets is precisely why he shouldn’t- his legacy is already established with the Spurs. I’m not even the biggest Popovich fan, but he’s a surefire HoF as a coach. What more does he have to gain? Similar to Phil Jackson, he really could only rub some of the shine off. Even if he has 2-3 down yrs in SA, it’ll be understood and forgiven because of his status there. He’s a franchise icon there.
Mo way Pop would fail in Brooklyn as bad as Phil Jackson did with the Knicks, yet his legacy isn’t tarnished. It actually was a helluva money grab for him. Pop cant fail in Brooklyn. He may or may not win a championship there, but he’s not gonna “lose” coaching Durant, Irving, LeVert, etc… Pop would be an icon in SA even if he left to coach the Globetrotters for a couple years. At 71, you don’t have many athletic challenges left. I’m sure Pop, at this stage, would rather use his last few coaching years competing for a shot at a championship, rather than a 6 or 7 seed.
Gary, you’re correct! You don’t get to Pop’s status by settling.
*No way…
I believe he has one more major goal left over the next few seasons: set the team up for a smooth transition to whichever of Duncan or Hammond is going to be taking the reigns.
Dump Aldridge then, all he’s good for is to keep the playoff string alive, and failed at that this year. Had to play the 5 a lot boohoo.
Agree with you x%sure! Lots of people go on banging about LMA should have gone to BOS or other teams, would have been a great help! Really??? He was awful for SAS this year, his worst season ever!
But all banging on how DMDR is of no use, no value! Well for sure he has had the 2 best seasons of his career in SAS, has played really well, is younger & has way more value than LMA. Also he has played the 2/3/4 without complaining which tells you all about his professionalism, unlike others that seem to always be complaining about something.
Appalachian outlaw@, that’s a good point. His goal could be to set up the incoming regime. That would be a warm thing to do, and it’s probably in his nature to go at it like that. Good post.
Why not just let Kyrie coach. He knows everything
Because the world is flat!
Pops ain’t leaving SA. LA writer must be on some good medical premo. At 71 he’s in a good place. He should go back to GM. Take Spurs into next phase. Spurs not that far away. A couple good moves. They can be back in playoffs. Their core is still young. I’m really not sure who Nets will go after. You can bet it’s not going to be a Rookie. Or a young inexperienced coach. I mean they got rid of Atkinson, a solid young coach. It has to be a Vet. Who can take them to finals. Nothing else really matters right. That’s why KD n Kyrie are here. Who’s out there that meets criteria. Lue maybe JVG is not an O coach (doubt it). Would they play for Mark Jackson. Mike Brown has to finals, he’s a D guy too. I still say it’s DAntoni.
He’s a nasty old crow. Let him stay where he is because I don’t want to see his nasty mug more frequently. Pop should keep him idiotic political opinions to himself along with Kerr.
What has Popovich said politically?
How long before Kyrie and Durant are benched by Pop in this ridiculous scenario?