There are many people who consider San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich the best to ever do it.
Plenty of fans think he’s the epitome of the position and surpasses everyone who has come before him.
It’s not just the fact that he’s led the Spurs to five championship victories and has been named Coach fo the Year three times.
Popovich is also transforming the league and the way it is being coached.
28% of current head coaches worked or played under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio:
Ime Udoka
Mike Budenholzer
Monty Williams
Steve Kerr
Taylor Jenkins
Doc Rivers
Mike Brown
Will HardyAbsolute legend. pic.twitter.com/HyXkSEMJqs
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 28, 2022
Right now, 28% of NBA head coaches have worked or played under Popovich.
Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics, Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks, Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns, and Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors have all worked under Popovich.
But that’s not all: Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies, Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Mike Brown of the Sacramento Kings have also worked under him.
Finally, Will Hardy, new head coach of the Utah Jazz, got started with Pop too.
Does this mean the future of the league will look like the vintage Spurs?
Playing Like Popovich
These coaches would be very smart to follow in the footsteps of Popovich.
He has found so much success in the league.
He is known to be reserved, driven, and dedicated to the game.
He is also dedicated to fostering his young squad into champions.
That measured, cool-headed approach to the game is very admirable.
It has worked out very well for the Spurs.
With Hardy being signed by the Jazz, Popovich’s impact on the future of the league cannot be questioned.
Many of the coaches listed above are running the most talented and accomplished teams in the league.
Popovich doesn’t just foster great young players, he fosters great young coaches as well.
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