- Gregg Popovich once shared his thoughts on NBA teams calling themselves world champions
- The Spurs coach disagreed with the tag
- His comments come to light amid the severe flak Noah Lyles is facing controversy for his comments on the same topic
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich made a valid point on why it didn’t make sense for NBA teams to crown themselves as world champions after winning a title.
This take comes amid the severe criticism Noah Lyles is facing controversy for his comments on ‘World Champions’ written on caps of the winning NBA team. Now, posts of Coach Pop saying the same thing 13 years ago have resurfaced on social media.
“There are no world champions in the NBA, so anybody that has the flag up that says world champions is not correct. It’s not appropriate. The world champions, I believe, are the Spanish team right now. USA is the Olympic champion. The Lakers are the NBA champion.”
He further added:
“It doesn’t make sense for an NBA team to call themselves world champions. I don’t remember anybody playing anybody outside our borders to get that tag. Isn’t that true? I keep waiting for somebody to tell me I’ve missed something.”
Pop gave his thoughts on calling NBA champions "World Champions" in 2010 👀
(via @bostonherald) pic.twitter.com/sMGtWmjpIs
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 29, 2023
The Spurs coach and Lyles both make sense. ‘World Champions’ are tags used if the team is representing the sport on an international level and wins it.
The NBA, on the other hand, is a league in one country. If it still boasts with the tag, it’s probably because some of the world’s best players are part of the marquee tournament.
Can Hall Of Famer Gregg Popovich Put The San Antonio Spurs Back On The Map?
After what was a dismal 2022-23 season for the rebuilding San Antonio Spurs, who finished with a 22-60 record and was placed last in the Western Conference, the onus is now on Gregg Popovich to see if he can put the team back to winning ways.
With the franchise landing No. 1 prospect Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft, the team looks promising with the young phenom who is widely regarded as the next generational superstar after LeBron James.
The Spurs, under his leadership, clinched five NBA championships, cementing their status as a dynasty. This championship run was the result of meticulous planning, exceptional player development, and an unwavering commitment to the team’s core values.
Coach Pop surely has a decorated career as a leader manning the San Antonio ship. Now, only time will tell if he can indeed put the team back on the map with a young side.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
