Gregg Popovich has won the most regular season games in NBA history with 1,388 and has also won 5 championships. Being with the San Antonio Spurs for a considerable chunk of his coaching career, Coach Popovich is familiar with the trials and tribulations of a coach. Something that the newest coaches in the league like JJ Redick might yet not be aware of. While appearing on commentary during the NBA Summer League game, Coach Pop shared his insights on coaching in the NBA.

Alongside commentators Mark Jones and Doris Burke on ESPN, the latter asked him about the unique culture of the coaching association. Burke called it unique since she felt the coaches had a closer bond and inquired Gregg Popovich about the same. “The first and most basic uh, element as far as an answer goes is everybody in that organization really loves teaching and coaching,” Popovich said on ESPN. Secondly, he called the job of a head coach a difficult one.

“It’s a difficult job no doubt. And you know people get fired, and nine times out of 10, they don’t get fired because they don’t know anything or they’re poor coaches. Circumstances catch up for a variety of reasons and a coach is gone.” Coming into the league with zero coaching experience, the questions on Redick’s experience have been the topic of debate ever since he became the front-runner for the Lakers HC position.  

“It’s like people in the military almost, you know? You’re with the guys that dove into the foxhole together and you appreciate and respect what they do.” Gregg Popovich also felt that the coaches are not afraid to share the information so that other coaches can inculcate the same in the future. Speaking about the future, Coach Pop was happy with the trades for the experienced Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul. 

Gregg Popovich hopeful for the future

The 75-year-old feels that ‘the Point God’ Chris Paul would teach the entire team to be better at lob passes. Plus, he called the addition of Harrison Barnes “wonderful” for his young team. Gregg Popovich is also of the opinion that the addition would make the job easier as the CP3 advising to a player sometimes becomes more valuable than it does coming from the coach’s perspective. Not just the trades, Coach was also happy about the youngsters in the team.

Selecting at #4 position, the Spurs drafted Stephon Castle, who recently won back-to-back NCAA titles with UConn. By halftime during the summer league game, he had compiled 12 points and 3 assists to go with his steal. And ended the game as the top scorer from either side with 22 points. Coach Popovich also appreciated his seriousness at such a young age.

With an overall 62.8% win percentage in the regular season, Gregg Popovich would like to improve on last season’s performance. Even though Victor Wembanyama won the ROTY, the Spurs finished the season with a 22-60 record.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.