‘We can’t wait for him to come back’ Spurs, Clippers send good wishes on Gregg Popovich’s illness
Melissa Rohlin
FOX Sports NBA Writer
The most impressive physical feat in the NBA is often overlooked.
It’s not Steph Curry’s ability to shoot from space. Or Kevin Durant’s shot creation skills. Or LeBron James playing like he’s 20 when he’s 39.
Gregg Popovich is coaching the San Antonio Spurs at the age of 75. He became the oldest coach ever The NBA history in 2020, surpassing Hubie Brown, who was 71 when he coached Memphis at the start of the 2004-05 season.
And after four years, he is still at the helm of the team, which often flies under the radar, but was highlighted on Monday when it was reported that he will be out permanently with an undisclosed health issue.
“He’s good,” said Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson, the interim head coach. “You’ll be fine. And we can’t wait to get back.”
When pressed about how long Popovich will be out, Johnson was tight-lipped.
“I’m not comfortable talking about that,” he said. “I don’t know enough to try to put something like that.”
[RELATED: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sidelined indefinitely with undisclosed illness]
This is for sure, the rigors of the NBA season wears on some of the toughest people in the world, with flights at ungodly hours and schedules that can take teams to three cities in four nights. Without chartered flights, the travel is too strenuous during an 82-game season, often eliciting complaints from men who still have the suffix “teen” at the end of their prime.
Popovich has been the coach of the Spurs for 29 years. Sure, LeBron James has played 22 seasons. But Popovich led the Spurs to an NBA record 22-game hitting streak.
Popovich, a five-time coach of the year, had long indicated that he would retire whenever Tim Duncan hung up his jersey. Duncan bid his final farewell to Spurs fans eight years ago; Popovich is still famous for making waves.
Popovich is best known for his flair for the X’s and O’s, which has inducted him into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, but he is also outspoken on social issues, racism and politics, willing to speak up for what he believes is right no matter where it is. he can separate them.
Popovich’s absence was never more conspicuous than on Monday, the evening before Election Day.
“He’s another guy that we follow and listen to,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said.
No doubt Popovich would have encouraged everyone to vote on Tuesday. He has been highly critical of Republican President-elect Donald Trump, most recently saying, “He’s mean. He’s petty. He’s a whiner.” Regardless of where one falls on the political spectrum, Popovich’s silence on such an important night was remarkable.
Although Popovich remains fiery about court matters, his style on the court has clearly changed over the years. He even joked during his Hall of Fame speech that if he was training Tony Parker now the way he did when he was 19, “I’d be in handcuffs.”
Popovich saw the Big Three of Duncan, Parker and Manu Ginobili sail off into the sunset. He watched Kawhi Leonard get traded to Toronto. Six years ago, Spurs were not competitive, but, interestingly, he seemed to find a new joy in the job, interested in developing young players. After the pressure of winning competitions was reduced, he became easy and quick to laugh.
When reporters asked him why he still does this job, he talked about how he loves it. Are you getting paid to coach a game? In his eyes, the joke was not that he was still working even though he was earning millions, but that people were calling his gig a real job.
Of course, recently things have changed. The Spurs received the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, acquiring the rights to Victor Wembanyama, the most heralded player since LeBron. Soon after, Popovich agreed to a five-year contract extension worth more than $80 million, marking the NBA’s richest coaching contract.
Popovich has made it clear that he is still dating a lot. His latest project? The 7-foot-3 Frenchman is widely tipped to be the next face of the NBA.
It’s remarkable when you think about it. Popovich is the longest-tenured coach in all of the major sports leagues in the United States. His stamina is truly legendary, considering the huge mental and physical commitment required to train professionally.
But we were reminded on Monday that this won’t last forever. Whether his injury is serious or not, whether he’s out for a long time or coming back for the next game, this is a reminder that what Popovich has done – and is doing – is unprecedented.
And of course, the Spurs knew he would be watching Monday. They jumped out to a 40-14 first quarter lead over the Clippers, but ended up falling behind their leader, 113-104.
Before the game Chris Paul said that the players have not talked to Popovich, they want to give him space at this time. He noted that they miss him. He mentioned that the main thing that Popovich preaches is how everyone has the right to do this job.
But despite what happened to Popovich, Paul also laughed, knowing that his coach will do what he does best when he is away.
“He will let us know what he sees,” said Paul.
Melissa Rohlin is an NBA writer for FOX Sports. He previously managed the Sports Illustrated league, i Los Angeles Times, Bay Area News Group and San Antonio The Express-News. Follow him on Twitter @melissarohlin.
San Antonio Spurs
National Basketball Association
Find out more from the National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about sports, news and more
