Tony Parker Grateful to Victor Wembanyama for Helping Gregg Popovich Ahead of Inevitable Retirement

No one calls the shots on Gregg Popovich’s retirement but he himself. The legacy that he has had as the San Antonio Spurs head coach is unparalleled in franchise history. And just when there were some opinions forming against him, Victor Wembanyama‘s addition may have delayed the inevitable — Gregg Popovich’s retirement. Former Spurs star Tony Parker for one believes so. And although even he cannot correctly guess when the Spurs head coach might retire, he did make one prediction.

Parker was asked about the kind of legacy Pop will have as a coach when he eventually does retire. “I think he’s going to end up being the best coach ever in the NBA. He’s the winningest coach,” Parker replied. Saying this, he also highlighted Gregg’s five championships, and Hall of Fame induction. While he does not know what else he can achieve, he is just happy that Pop now has Victor Wembanyama by his side. “It gives him even more energy to go a couple more years,” he said in the USA Sports Today interview.

But is Pop’s legacy so far enough for him to be accepted in the majority opinion? Well, recently there has been some criticism against the Spurs head coach for not having the same touch with the team anymore. While the Spurs have not made it to the playoffs since 2019, it has been a decade since they last appeared in the Finals. The speculations were that Wemby’s addition would bring a new hope for the franchise, but not much has changed.

Even Sports Anchor, Rob Parker, in his appearance on Fox Sports Radio, stated Pop should retire. “Do a self-void-out of the contract! Say to the Spurs and the fan base, ‘NO MAS! I’M SORRY! MY BAD! I’M DONE!'” he added. But it does not seem the Spurs head coach is in any mood to retire anytime soon. At least his signing a 5 year, $80 million extension is no indication of him considering retirement as of now.

Moreover, Pop becoming the highest-paid coach in the league once again, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, is a clear reflection that even the franchise still has faith in him.

It seems once you become the winningest coach in the league with 1388 wins, these are some perks one enjoys. Additionally, Pop holds the third spot in playoff wins (170), after Phil Jackson’s 229 wins and Pat Riley’s 171 wins. So it makes sense when Tony Parker says Pop might retire as the best coach in NBA history. However, that may be coming from a place of immense respect that the 4x NBA champ has for his former coach.

A closer look at the bond between Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker

As mentioned earlier, Parker has had immense respect, most of which comes from their 17 seasons together for the Spurs. Winning 4 NBA championships together, the duo made the Spurs witness the best phase in franchise history. The two were also inducted into the Hall of Fame in the same year (2023).

Ahead of the induction ceremony, the 6x All-Star spoke of his relationship with the Spurs head coach. “Pop meant so much to my life and my career. He was like a second dad,” he said, per NBA TV. While Pop also shares a similar close bond with Parker, his first impression was different.

“I hated him,” Popovich hilariously recollected during news conferences ahead of the HOF induction. The 75-year-old further recalled not wanting the Frenchman because he felt Parker was weenie, unaggressive, didn’t like contact, and he was just 19. It was only after Parker’s agent’s reported pleas that the Spurs head coach agreed to give Tony a second chance.

As per an article by ESON, by that time, Popovich acknowledged that Parker “kicked a**”, adding that the rest, as everyone knows, is history. So, as much as Parker may agree, Pop will retire as one of the best coaches in NBA history. His own contribution to the HOF coach’s legacy cannot be denied.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.