‘Coach Popovich IS the Spurs’ – Robert Horry
San Antonio Spurs Coach, Greg Popovich, is a mystery.
Everyone has heard the rumour about him being a spy (something he has fuelled himself). But what is Coach Pop really like?
“He’s a great guy, great coach. Very family oriented,” ventured former Spur Robert Horry. “He loves his players like they’re all his kids. You just can’t say enough about a guy like that and appreciate the work that he puts in, not just for basketball but behind basketball.”
Not quite the jaw dropping revelations I was hoping for but then again, it wouldn’t surprise me if the former Air Force Academy graduate briefs everybody he coaches in a Fight Club style:
“First rule about Coach Popovich is, you don’t talk about Coach Popovich.”
But what about the incredible chemistry that has been the calling card of the Spurs organisation since Pop took over Head Coaching duties in 1996? How much of that is down to him?
“That goes about his thing called ‘Oneness’, said Horry. “When you’ve got everybody on the same page, it makes it a lot easier. Nobody has a separate agenda. Everybody wants to go out and win a Championship, nobody wants to make an All-star team, nobody wants to go out and be a scoring champion, it’s just about, at the end of the day, going out and getting the W.
“I think that’s what makes the Spurs organisation so good. They never had any individuals who thought they were bigger than the game.”
With Coach Popovich so central to the Spurs culture, what will happen when he eventually retires?
“If Pop ever left San Antonio it wouldn’t be the same. There are certain coaches in this league that bring certain reputation, certain mystique, certain following and even though the Spurs organisation is known for one thing, it’s because of him.
“The Spurs is his baby, his heart, his life, so he won’t step into any other organisation.”
*This was a joint effort with Marco Vettoretti. You can read Marco’s work here. If you are fluent in Italian.
