Nobody messes with Coach Pop and his Spurs

Coach Pop: Head Coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs stands hands on hip, deep in thought, wearing that evergreen frown, during Game Two of the 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on June 9, 2013 in Miami, Florida. (Getty Images)

Pacing down the touchlines, there is hardly ever a smile on San Antonio Spurs Head Coach, Gregg Popovich’s face. In fact, he wears a mean frown; one would wonder that the next person he talks to on his team, is in for an earful.

And ‘Pop’, as he is fondly known, doesn’t alter that image for interviews either.

Game 3 just showed us just that. Ask Dorris Burke. In her interview with Popovich on ESPN, she asked the grumpy coach, what he is has been telling his players to do, while guarding MVP LeBron James. What followed was what you expect from the legendary NBA Coach. In simple terms, you do not mess with the man. If he does not want to give you insights into his plays and strategies, you just have to live with it. ESPN’s Burke got a slight glimpse of that.

But the man from East Chicago, Indiana has way more to his persona than just his grumpiness. In an era where the San Antonio Spurs have created a legacy that could well crown them as the greatest team of the decade, there is one man who puts on his suit everyday to better it. He does not just do it by getting the best of talents; he happens creates them from scratch.

Western Conference heavyweights, Oklahoma City Thunder, are eulogised for their precise draft picks. The Los Angeles Lakers are labelled as seasonal contenders for lucratively bringing in household names. But “Pop” doesn’t need the luxuries; he makes do with what he has got. If there ever is a user-manual on how to make the best out of what is available, Popovich would have written it – accurately, at that.

There is a saying around the NBA. If Coach Pop found a coin in his pocket, he would ensure that he made a million out of it. From mediocrity to future Hall of Famers, from rejects to consistent starters, Popovich has found a seat for every player on the San Antonio Spurs’ legacy train. Danny Green and Gary Neal went undrafted, Tony Parker was picked as a late first round and Manu Ginobili was the second last pick taken in his draft. The names do not end there: Boris Diaw, Matt Bonner, and Tiago Splitter were unheard of. You might want to add Bruce Bowen to that list too, the journeyman who went from being undrafted to NBA legend.

And while the careers of some overall first picks might have not gone according to play, Coach ‘Pop’ ensured Tim Duncan, wasn’t faced with the same problems. The Spurs Head Coach is the NBA’s version of Billy “Moneyball” Beane or the Premier League’s Arsene Wenger. A strategy that prioritises in filling weaknesses before building on strengths, Popovich trades for or drafts players with the need of a position.

But Popovich’s story wasn’t always as celebrated as it sounds.

In 1996, the San Antonio Spurs began the NBA season in a disastrous manner. That was the last time an NBA playoff bracket did not feature the franchise from the Alamo City. The Spurs had lost key players such as “Admiral” David Robinson, Vinny Del Negro and Chuck Person to injury and fans were calling for the boot of the Head Coach and the GM. Coach Bob Hill was fired after a poor 3-15 start. The GM who fired him, and was in the hot seat, took over.

That man was Gregg Popovich. He ended the season with 12 more victories on the board, something many doubted that even the ousted Hill could have bettered. But Coach Pop was not deterred. He went to the 1997 Draft, picked up Tim Duncan and began the most glorious ride in the NBA. Today, his record in the Playoffs stands third only to the legendary Pat Riley and Phil Jackson.

Popovich has won 4 NBA Championships and made the Playoffs in every full season during his time as Head Coach of the Spurs. He has also gone on to win the Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2012, and led the Western Conference in three All-Star games. Today, Pop is the longest-serving active Head Coach in the league.

For a man who wrote down happiness as his biggest goal on the yearbook after graduating from the Air Force Academy, he sure has succeeded. But that hasn’t stopped this future Hall of Famer from gunning for a fifth NBA title. Popovich knows it won’t be easy battling the Miami Heat and taking on the likes of LeBron James and Erik Spoelstra will require some tactical ingenuity.

But that is how Gregg Charles Popovich likes it – tough.

PS: on a slightly humorous note, who wouldn’t want another Spurs win, just to see a Coach Pop celebration dance?