Should Gregg Popovich Follow Bill Belichick’s Route and Part Ways With the Spurs Team?

The NFL turned the last page on two of its most emphatic stories. Pete Carroll, a coach of the Seattle Seahawks for 14 seasons cried rivers when announcing he would no longer be a part of the franchise. Shockingly, it aligned with the Patriots and Bill Belichick parting ways after 24 charismatic seasons. The news makes the fans’ hearts heavy.

Both of them created magic through their coaching. They had the mentality similar to any player on the field. Carroll of course famous for his defensive dominance. He birthed the ‘Legion of Boom’ and even led the franchise to its lone Super Bowl. Jumping to Belichick, he is no new to standing atop the podium with graffiti hiding his face. He was the brains behind the electric reign of Tom Brady and the Patriots. He led the side to six Super Bowl titles and holds numerous records all to himself.

Despite the decades of fighting, the flames still burn for both. While they walked different paths, the end was somewhat similar. A series of underwhelming seasons ultimately led to the breakup.

In the context of the NBA, only one man fits this story- Gregg Popovich.

Gregg Popovich is probably the greatest coach ever

The Olympic gold medalist coach began his basketball career as a part of the armed forces. He was the captain of the team. After leading them to the title, he got called up to the selection trial for the 1972 Olympics. While he didn’t make the cut, the vigor for the game had set it. He studied sports science and worked under coach Larry Brown at the University of Kansas.

In the 1988-89 season, Pop took his first steps into the NBA as an assistant to Brown who was with the Spurs. Initially, he worked around the league before becoming the Spurs’ GM in 1994. 18 games into the 1996-97 season, and he became the head coach.

He was no ordinary HC. Popovich knew the language of the people. Due to his experience in the military, he was a man of discipline and order. The legendary coach knew how to motivate his players. He established the ‘Twin Towers’ with David Robinson and Tim Duncan. The dynamic duo led San Antonio to its first two titles under Pop.

After Robinson’s heavy presence left, the coach had to make something out of nothing. Two international strangers – Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were at his disposal. Due to his remarkable people skills, Popovich turned them into the essence of the franchise with Duncan. The diversified core added another two and then Kawhi Leonard’s heroics in 2014 gave him a fifth title.

Apart from being the mastermind behind a dynasty, Pop has won the gold with the USA team, has one of the best winning percentages of all time, and the ultimate crown, there is no other man with more victories than Gregg Popovich.

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He has stood with the Spurs for nearly four whole decades. Meticulously working to craft a contending side, he held his end of the bargain more than one could have preempted. The prime Spurs were a perennial force, a team that had Popovich’s footprints all over it. He painted the Spurs’ history books with five titles. If he were to call it a day, not many can match up to his resume.

But is it time for him to follow the trend?

The Spurs need Pop

Indeed the San Antonio Spurs aren’t reliving their dynasty days anytime soon. They have a mediocre record nowhere reminiscent of the Tim Duncan Spurs. However, it is vital to understand the dynamic. This is a young group that needs a leader to guide them. Moreover, they have a generational prospect in Victor Wembanyama. The French starlet is starting to set well in the league.

The man who can nurture him and help him fulfill his colossal potential is Gregg Popovich. As we established earlier, Pop knows what words to use and how to bring the best of anyone. As far as Wemby goes, he is still a teenager who needs the support to take his game to the next level. Ideally, he would need a basketball genius who has a history of making international legends, sound familiar?

Outside of the championship glory days, this might be the most vital phase for Gregg Popovich. There is a new age coming in San Antonio with Wembanyama at the epicentre of it all. During these early stages, he needs a tough coach who will correct his mistakes and send him down the path of greatness.

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Pop has won it all, won more than anyone in the history of the NBA. Now it’s time for him to write the chapters of the future. So no, he should absolutely not take the path Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll took.