Although it didn’t happen Saturday night, it’s only a matter of time until Gregg Popovich catches Don Nelson for the most career coaching victories, writes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. The Spurs‘ overtime win Friday at Washington was the 1,334th of Popovich’s career, leaving him one behind Nelson, who was one of his coaching mentors.
“Suffice to say, being in this position is awkward, surreal, unexpected, never planned and all of the above,” Popovich said.
The Spurs lost Saturday at Miami, extending Popovich’s wait to reach the record. The team will travel to Memphis on Monday, and with upcoming games against the Kings and Hornets he could be alone at the top by the end of the week.
Among the most impressive things about Popovich’s achievement is that all his wins are with one organization. He took over as San Antonio’s coach early in the 1996/97 season and has remained in that position ever since.
“It just shows you his longevity and excellence for decades,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “It really is remarkable.”
There’s more on the Spurs:
- Keldon Johnson is averaging 20.3 points per game in February, but he understands that he has a long way to go to be a complete player, per Mike Finger of The San Antonio Express-News. Johnson, who’s in his third NBA season, said he welcomes constructive criticism, whether it’s from his acerbic coach or Draymond Green, who served as a mentor during Johnson’s Olympics experience last summer.
- The Spurs are ready to give more responsibility to first-round pick Joshua Primo, Finger adds in a separate story. The youngest player taken in the 2021 draft, Primo divided his time before the All-Star break between the NBA and the G League, but Popovich said he’ll remain with the Spurs for the rest of the season. “He’s going to be a player for us for a long time,” Popovich said. “He shows an uncanny maturity on the court for such a young kid. He’s just getting used to the physicality. He’s playing with men.”
- Trading Derrick White to the Celtics left a hole in the Spurs’ backcourt, but Lonnie Walker sees an opportunity for himself and the team’s other young guards (video link from KENS5). “Derrick was a huge piece for us offensively and defensively,” Walker said. “Losing him was probably one of the hardest things for our team, but it allows us young guys like Devin (Vassell), myself and Primo to continue to grow and get better and play our game.”
Keldon Johnson, Mike Mitchell, Sean Elliott, Devin Vassell or Larry Kenon, which supremely talented Spurs forward would you rather have on your team if you could have him your whole career & why? Pick a top 3 if possible…
SE by a mile
You must really love Sean Elliott
I go with Elliot too. Still think Vassell has a big future.
M Mitchell
I am in the process of making bacon cheeseburgers…that’s why. Wait, what was the question again?
Kenon and then Elliott granted Elliott won a ring
I’d probably go with Kenon too. I’m thinking Devin Vassell might be #2 for me tho
I do not recall Kenon playing since the Spurs were not on the unofficial TV airing list even with Gervin and Paultz and others… maybe it was different in the South.
BTW I am starting to see a Southern-born slant in these lists by Sankara! (i.e, including Prince not Hamilton or Wallace)
Surprisingly the modern players on that list are likely the best. Vassell & KeldonJ are on higher arcs statistically, and have talent (KJ) and smarts (DV) to last. The three retirees all disappointed given their starts, Elliot in college. Spurs kind of saved Elliot, tho he did well for them too.
Spurs need to rebuild, they are not a premier free agent destination. I think they have a nice set of talent but nobody will ascend to superstar or even star on that roster. They need to get a top 3 pick in 2023 in order to have a chance again, or else they will fall into the post dynasties of teams like Celtics from the 80’s and Bulls from the 90’s.
They are literally in the midst of rebuilding right now. It started soon as Demar left & the DWhite trade just amped it up another notch, giving them more crucial assets to build with. But you definitely need to get familiar with Dejounte Murray tho. He’s already a star. He was literally just in the all-star game last week. They have 2 1sts in the 2022 draft, including 1 that could be a top5 pick. Spurs are pretty good shape going forward, especially if Primo reaches his potential
Yeah I know about Dejounte. Lol thanks for telling me. I mean they need superstar players to compete in the west. Do you see him being a superstar? I think he’s going to be a very good player but not a franchise caliber player. They need to land a top 3 pick in order to rebuild faster.
Of course a top3 pick would help but if they get anywhere in the top 10 they’ll be set tbh. They get Boston’s pick too so they’ll have options. I got em taking Orlando Robinson the silky smooth big from Fresno St at #8 & frosh sharpshooter from MSU, Max Christie at #19. Adding those 2 guys, especially Robinson, would be a big boost to their rebuild even without a top3 pick… As far as Dejounte, yes I could definitely see him becoming a superstar. He has everything except a consistent 3pt shot. He’s also been continually improving at all facets of his game. I get Kidd vibes from him at times. He doesn’t have Kidd’s vision or otherworldly bball IQ but he definitely shares alot of similarities with Kidd & much like Kidd if he gets to be a good 3pt shooter he could challenge for league MVPs. He’s already very capable of dominating NBA games & dragging his team to Ws. If he keeps improving he can def be an All-NBA guard. But you said he wouldn’t even be a star, which, like I said, he already is
You’re right I said star, Murray is a star. Kidd is a good comp. I respect your takes on here. I think they need a big man but I do like the young talent they have, I just don’t see it mimicking their previous success with gems. It’s a different era in the NBA now.
So Murray’s 20ppg, 9.5 app, 8.5rpg, and 2 steals pg isn’t star level?
Not saying he’s not a star. I misspoke and I’m glad Sankara corrected me. I’m just saying I need to see more of his game continued to elevate. He’s been a great player this year, no doubt. I just personally think it could be better because he has shown all of us fans that he can he a top 10 PG in this league for a long time.
As a Lakers fan, the Spurs were a long-time rival. I always respected them, and a big part of that respect is due to Popovich. The guy is a great coach and a class act. I especially love the way he has dealt with the media throughout his career. Sometimes just a short response then moving on to business is the best approach.
I feel like Lakers get more credit but Spurs are the real deal. Aren’t all of the Lakers titles from like the 1800s?
Well, let’s see…the Lakers had a three-peat with Kobe and Shaq, then back-to-back with Kobe and Gasol. The Spurs never even repeated once. Great franchise with Popovich, Duncan, Ginobli, Parker, etc. Five championships…impressive. Have to say the Lakers come out on top during that era, though. I still have a lot of respect for the Spurs.
2000’s championships
Lakers -6
Spurs -4 (tho they won in 99 also)
GSW- 3
Mia-3
No other team has multiples
Lakers also lost in finals 08 and 04 appearing in 8 outta the last 22 finals – 1883 is a good show on Paramount+ currently tho
I still feel like the Spurs are the more well known team for that time period though. Idk that the numbers are really important. When I think of that time period I think of Spurs dominating.
@lil
Try being objective for once…it may be liberating…
@chef2hands memory isn’t objective hon. You sound mixed up?
Don’t watch the Spurs much. I know there is a youth movement there. I know Pops and his staff have a good eye for talent. I should watch them more. Liked Vassell in draft a lot. And I love Murray’s game. He’s a big PG who plays both ways. Pops is the guy. Amazing he took over as coach from GM seat. Then never left. And is now going to be winningest coach ever. Pops is a legend …….
Pop’s a great coach, but that’s no better than the third reason for his success. Lots of HCs would be in the HOF if they started out their coaching careers with Robinson and Duncan (superstars that create an instant culture), and got to be their own TP (boss) for their entire coaching career.
Just looking for investability rather than a silver-platter hero in generally low drafting could mean Popovich still has another rising team in him.
Funny, all these who wanted him to go away and “Becky” take over.
I recall DXC being the only apparent fan for KeldonJ. Of course it was the same for Langford… and look where he wound up! Hasn’t played yet tho.
I think KJ has great twitch, but that talent also has to be overcome, as it can come out as nervousness.