The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly looking to pry away five-time NBA champion coach Gregg Popovich from the San Antonio Spurs this offseason. Brooklyn is currently searching for a new coach to lead the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving era.
The Nets relieved Kenny Atkinson of his duties just prior to the season's hiatus in March brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and instilled Jacque Vaughn as their interim coach in the season's return in Orlando. Now, they are targeting no less than the biggest fish in the pond to lead them on the sidelines next season.
For Popovich, why would he consider making a move in the twilight of his career? Pop has been with the Spurs organization since 1994 and became their coach in 1996. It seems like it wouldn't make much sense for him to leave the franchise he has known for his entire NBA career.
Nonetheless, here are possible reasons why Gregg Popovich should take the Nets' coaching job.
A better chance at ring No. 6
The Spurs just missed the postseason for the first time since 1998. San Antonio is nowhere near title contention for the final two years of the 71-year-old's contract. This might be the best time for Gregg Popovich and the Spurs to close one of the greatest eras in NBA history.
Moving to Brooklyn would give the three-time Coach of the Year a legitimate chance to win another NBA championship before he finally calls it a career. The Nets should become title contenders when Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant return from their respective injuries in the 2020-21 season, whenever that may be. Adding a legendary coach like Popovich would only make them a bigger threat next season.
Dealing with Durant and Irving
Throughout his career, Gregg Popovich hasn't dealt with much outside noise and drama, with the recent Kawhi Leonard situation a notable exception. That is in large part due to his leadership and ability to make his players buy into the team concept. It also helped that he worked with arguably the most unselfish group of stars in Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker through the majority of his run in San Antonio.
Duncan is the consummate pro. Though he was one of the game's brightest stars, he allowed Popovich to coach him the way the legendary mentor saw fit. Likewise, Ginobili and Parker could have put up much better numbers than they actually did throughout their careers. But their sacrifice for the benefit of the team allowed San Antonio to be so successful.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, meanwhile, don't have the greatest of reputations when it comes to dealing with teammates and coaches. In fact, some speculate that the two may have had something to do with Atkinson's dismissal last March. They have found themselves surrounded by off-court drama that has led to public spats with teammates and even sour departures from their previous teams.
Thus, taking on this Nets job and dealing with the volatile personalities of their two franchise stars could pose a noble final challenge for Popovich.
Seems unlikely, but you never know
Even with the viable reasons laid out, it's going to be a real shock if Gregg Popovich does make the move to Brooklyn. The man is almost synonymous to San Antonio at this point.
It would be hard to imagine him manning the sidelines of a franchise other than the Spurs. Him moving to Brooklyn would almost mirror seeing Michael Jordan play for Washington Wizards at the end of his career, an image most MJ fanatics would rather forget from His Airness' legendary career.
Nonetheless, we don't know what Popovich is thinking about at this point of his coaching career. Will he stay loyal to the franchise he helped build a dynasty with? Maybe he wants a better shot at winning his sixth title? Does he, at 71, still have the itch for a one last challenge that could bolster his legacy? Would he be swayed by a massive bag of cash?
We'll soon find out Pop's intentions this offseason.
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