Gregg Popovich recently stepped down as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after 29 years in charge.
Popovich won five NBA championships in his extraordinarily long Spurs tenure, and he’ll go down as one of the greatest coaches in basketball history.
After the 76-year-old announced his decision, many players, pundits, and fans showed their appreciation for all that he’s done in his career.
Stephen A. Smith shared one Popovich story about how his actions actually led the Detroit Pistons to win the title two decades ago.
Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty ImagesGregg Popovich conversation led to Detroit Pistons title
Smith first explained that Popovich looked up to Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown. However, he won two NBA titles (1999 and 2003) before Brown had any.
It turns out that Popovich’s interaction with Brown after he was presented his first ring inspired him to make a difficult decision, which ultimately led him to the Detroit Pistons.
Brown left the Philadelphia 76ers for the Pistons in 2003 and won the championship just one year later, with point guard Chauncey Billups as his best player.
“I knew that, covering Larry Brown for the Philadelphia 76ers, being a beat writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, he loved this man,” Smith said.
“Popovich was a protégé of Larry Brown’s. I remember when Popovich won his first ring, and the season opener the following season was the 76ers against the San Antonio Spurs.
“Popovich walked over to Larry Brown, a mentor of his, and sat down and shared the ring with him because he had yet to win at that particular moment in time.
“And that was what inspired Larry Brown to depart from Philadelphia, ultimately end up in Detroit, and capture his first ring, because he was Mr. Fix-It, but he hadn’t had a ring on the NBA level.
“But once he saw Popovich do that and talk to him and what have you, you knew what was going on. It was tremendous. It really was. Popovich is great.”
San Antonio Spurs long-term future is bright with Gregg Popovich as president
It’s a shame that Popovich no longer feels capable of coaching the Spurs, but it’s great for the organization that he’s staying on in another role.
The three-time NBA Coach of the Year (2003, 2021, and 2014) is one of the greatest minds in the sport and will be able to help with decisions like drafting players and free agency acquisitions.
With future superstar Victor Wembanyama and All-Star teammate De’Aaron Fox leading the team, alongside several other talented youngsters, the Spurs’ future is bright.
Plus, they have the assets to turn long-term promise into short-term expectation at any moment. For example, Popovich could sanction a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason.