melissa rollin
FOX Sports NBA Writer
The NBA’s most incredible physical feats are often overlooked.
It’s not Stephen Curry’s ability to shoot from space. Or Kevin Durant’s ability to create unique shots. Or LeBron James, who plays like he’s 20 at 39 years old.
Gregg Popovich is 75 years old and coaches the San Antonio Spurs. He became the oldest coach in the world. NBA In 2020, he became the all-time leader, surpassing Hubie Brown, who was 71 years old when he coached Memphis at the beginning of the 2004-05 season.
Four years later, he’s still at the helm of the team and his accomplishments have gone under the radar, but he drew attention on Monday when it was announced that he would be sidelined indefinitely due to unspecified health issues. Ta.
“He’s fine,” said assistant Spurs interim head coach Mitch Johnson. “He’ll be fine and we can’t wait to have him back.”
When asked how long he expected Popovich to be out, Johnson remained mum.
“I’m not at liberty to talk about it,” he said. “I don’t know enough information to try to publish something like that.”
[RELATED: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sidelined indefinitely with undisclosed illness]
This much is certain, the rigors of the NBA season wear out some of the world’s fittest people, with planes landing at illegal times and schedules that allow teams to travel to three cities in four nights. It has become. Despite chartered flights, the travel throughout the 82-game season is known to be exhausting, often prompting complaints from men who still have the suffix “teenage” at the end of their senior years. .
Popovich has been the Spurs’ head coach for 29 years. Indeed, LeBron James has played 22 seasons. But Popovich led the Spurs to an NBA record-tying 22nd consecutive playoff appearance.
Popovich, a five-time championship coach, had long hinted that Tim Duncan would retire every time he hung up his uniform. Duncan said his final goodbye to Spurs fans eight years ago. Popovich is still famous for causing a stir.
Popovich, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, is best known for his X’s and O’s talent, but he is also outspoken on social issues, racism and politics, and believes he is right. I am actively trying to raise my voice regardless of the fact that I am there. He may alienate them.
Popovich’s absence was never more evident than on Monday, the day before Election Day.
“He’s a player we follow and listen to,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said.
Mr. Popovich undoubtedly would have encouraged everyone to vote on Tuesday. He has been an outspoken critic of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, recently saying, “He’s pathetic. He’s small. He’s a whiner.” Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, Popovich’s silence on such an important night was notable.
Popovich remains fiery when it comes to off-court issues, but his on-court approach has noticeably softened in recent years. In his Hall of Fame induction speech, he even joked that if he were coaching Tony Parker today the way he was when he was 19, “I’d be handcuffed.”
Popovich watched the Big Three of Duncan, Parker and Manu Ginobili sail into the sunset. He watched Kawhi Leonard get traded to Toronto. Interestingly, although Spurs have not been a competitive team over the past six years, he loves developing young players and seemed to have found a newfound joy in the job. Released from the pressure of winning, he felt lighter and began to laugh easily.
When reporters asked him why he was still doing this job, he talked about how much he loved it. Do you get paid to coach games? In his eyes, people were calling his job a real job, not a joke about him making millions and still working.
Of course, things have changed recently. The Spurs acquired the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, securing the rights to Victor Wembaneyama, the most hyped player since LeBron. Shortly after, Popovich agreed to a five-year contract extension worth more than $80 million, making it the richest coaching contract in the NBA.
Popovich made it clear he is still working hard. What is his latest project? The 7-foot-3 Frenchman is widely expected to be the next face of the NBA.
It’s amazing when you think about it. Popovich is the longest-tenured active coach in all major U.S. sports leagues. His stamina is truly legendary considering the enormous mental and physical effort required to coach professionally.
But on Monday, we were reminded that this won’t last forever. Whether what’s bothering him is serious or not, whether he’s out for an extended period of time or coming back for the next game, this is unprecedented for what Popovich has done and is doing now. It’s a reminder of something.
And, of course, the Spurs knew he would be watching Monday. They took a 40-14 lead against the Clippers in the first quarter, but ultimately lost the lead, 113-104.
Before the game, Chris Paul said the players had not talked to Popovich because they wanted to give him space during this time. He said they missed him. The biggest thing Popovich preaches, he said, is how blessed they all are to do this job.
But despite what’s going on with Popovich, Paul also chuckled, knowing his coach will be doing what’s best for him from afar.
“He’s going to let us know what he saw,” Paul said.
Melissa Rollin is an NBA writer for FOX Sports. She previously covered the league for Sports Illustrated. Los Angeles The Times, Bay Area News Group, and san antonio express news. Follow her on Twitter @melisa rollin.
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