Fast Break Article 3/12/13 - How Good of A Coach is Gregg Popovich?
03/12/2013 20:01
Last night we saw something that I did not expect. Gregg Popovich took Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter, Danny Green, and Cory Joseph and killed Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Thabo Sefolosha, and Kendrick Perkins.
HOWWW?
Is it because Kevin Martin only had 9 points? Is it because Tiago Splitter had 21 points? No, it’s because Gregg Popovich is possibly the greatest coach of all time.
Gregg Popovich led one all-star (Tim Duncan, who is only averaging 16 PPG and 9 TRB a game) and 4 other average-good players and beat 2 all-stars, one all-defensive team, and 2 other good players. I have never seen a coach have such an impact on a team.
Popovich lost the possible MVP, Manu and Duncan aren’t what they use to be, yet he still is leading the Spurs to a 3-1 record (without Parker). In the 4 game stretch, they beat two really good teams (Thunder and Bulls).
That’s one problem with the argument that Phil Jackson is the greatest coach of all time. When did he lose his 1-3 best players, but still have the best record in the league.
Pat Riley has faced some of Popovich’s problem. In the 1990’s, with the Knicks, Riley had a very good. He still made it to the NBA Finals once (one win away from the championship), and the Eastern Conference Finals once.
My final question is this: How well will the Spurs do with Parker? Can Popovich keep the best record in the NBA?
My answer: They will do average. The Spurs have to face LAC, MIA, and MEM in that exact order. 3 days after the Memphis game, they have to face OKC, ATL, and DEN in that exact order. 4 days later, the Spurs have to face LAL and then Golden State. Will they have the best record after that stretch? If they do, I am willing to claim that Gregg Popovich is the best coach of all time.
Great video on Gregg Popovich:
