Gregg Popovich is one of the most successful coaches in the league. He has won multiple championships. Most recently, was the head coach for the US Mens’ Olympic basketball team in Tokyo, where he and the team won the gold medal once again.
There’s no question that a stellar coach such as Popovich must have done something right to be as accomplished as he is. When Gregg Popovich was recently asked about the key to his success, he joked that what he had to do was “Draft Tim Duncan” and then simply “stay alive”.
Pop politely declined to talk about closing in on Don Nelson for the most career regular season NBA coaching wins.
Reporter shifts to asking Pop what his key to success has been.
Pop's reply: "Key to success? Draft Tim Duncan. After that, stay alive."
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) November 19, 2021
Pop politely declined to talk about closing in on Don Nelson for the most career regular season NBA coaching wins.
Reporter shifts to asking Pop what his key to success has been.
Pop’s reply: “Key to success? Draft Tim Duncan. After that, stay alive.”
While Popovich’s reply was obviously a joke, it just shows how important drafting well is for smaller franchises. Part of the San Antonio Spurs’ sustained success has been finding diamonds in the rough later in the draft, such as Manu Ginobili. Obviously one must have a foundational superstar like Tim Duncan as well, which Popovich alludes to. Gregg Popovich has previously profoundly stated, “no Tim Duncan, no championships”. Coaches can be great, but they can’t win without talented players.
The San Antonio Spurs are now in rebuild mode, though they have some intriguing players such as Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson. However, Gregg Popovich is still out there coaching the youth movement, and as mentioned, in the Tweet, he might break the record for most regular-season wins. It would certainly be great to see a historic coach like Popovich accomplish that feat. Hopefully, he is able to do so. He is at 1314 wins, with Don Nelson sitting at 1335, so it’s entirely possible that happens this season.
