A latest NBA Corridor of Fame inductee, Gregg Popovich has greater than left his mark on the league. His magic, nonetheless, goes far past being the top coach with most wins in NBA historical past (1,366 victories). Moments like Wednesday evening’s sport towards the Clippers, during which he grabbed the announcer’s desk microphone and informed followers to cease booing Kawhi Leonard, present ‘Coach Pop’ is simply constructed totally different.
From surprising outbursts to intimidating reporters, these are the San Antonio Spurs head coach’s High-5 most surreal moments.
5. When Gregg Popovich mirrored Noah Lyles’ feedback in 2010
Earlier than monitor and subject sprinter Noah Lyles criticized NBA groups crowning themselved as “world champions”, Gregg Popovich sang the identical tune in 2010. Not like Lyles, nonetheless, Coach Pop did not get trolled by the basketball group.
The Spurs coach mentioned the next in 2010:
“There are not any world champions within the NBA, so anyone that has the flag up that claims world champions isn’t appropriate. It is not acceptable. The world champions, I imagine, are the Spanish staff proper now. USA is the Olympic champion. The Lakers are the NBA champion.
It does not make sense for an NBA staff to name themselves world champions. I do not bear in mind anyone taking part in anyone outdoors our borders to get that tag. Is not that true? I preserve ready for someone to inform me I’ve missed one thing”
4. Popovich’s ‘Hack-a-Shaq’ joke on Shaquille O’Neal (2008)
The Hack-a-Shaq transfer gained notoriety again in 1997 when Maverick coach Don Nelson used it to attempt to cease Shaquille O’Neal. It consisted of fouling the large middle within the final minutes of a sport with a purpose to get him to the free-throw line, which was his well-known kryptonite. It even prompted an NBA rule change.
In 2008, Popovich was requested if he would order the transfer on Shaq… however within the first possession of a sport. He informed the reporter it wasn’t a nasty concept. And presto, 5 seconds into the Suns at Spurs sport, San Antonio’s Michael Finley wrapped his arms round Shaq.
A befuddled Shaquille O’Neal then regarded in the direction of the Spurs bench, solely to see Popovich with an enormous smile and holding his two thumbs up. Traditional Pop.
3. Popovich tells Spurs followers to cease booing Kawhi Leonard (2023)
In a unprecedented second, Gregg Popovich grabbed the announcer’s microphone and pleaded followers to let the gamers play, admonishing the jeering crowd for having “no class.”
A ver polarizing transfer for each followers on the stadium and watching from the TV screens.
2. Gregg Popovich hires himself as Spurs coach (1996)
In a really unorthodox transfer, Popovich fired former Spurs coach Bob Hill in 1996. He was the Normal Supervisor and Vice President of Basketball Operations on the time, and made the awkward resolution of naming himself as head coach for then struggling San Antonio Spurs (who had a 3-15 report on the time).
1. Gregg Popovich units report for quickest ejection (2019)
All through his Corridor of Fame profession, Gregg Popovich has by no means shied away from letting officers know when he disagrees with them. Outbursts and ejections have been frequent play. One 2019 moments was the epitome of all of it, establishing the report for quickest ejection as an NBA head coach, 1:03 minutes into the sport.
It occurred simply 63 seconds into the Spurs’ matchup with the Denver Nuggets, Popovich was hit with two technical fouls and ejected from the sport at lightning pace. Even beating the report beforehand held by Flip Saunders of the Wizards vs Celtics on Jan 2, 2012 (106 seconds).
