Gregg Popovich is a living legend. Having coached the San Antonio Spurs to five NBA championships, Popovich is the NBA's active leader in career regular season wins with 1,997, a number that ranks fifth all-time (his career win total in playoff wins, 167, is the third-most of all-time).
However, at 69-years-old and having recently mourned the passing of his wife, Erin, many have suspected that Popovich might rather retire than try to coach a team that finds itself in a new era. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli, cornerstone pieces at the height of Popovich's career, have retired. Tony Parker, another former cornerstone, is playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
However, despite the change around Popovich, he hasn't decided whether or not he'll retire after the season.
Pop is asked if this might be his last season. “Anything might happen. I might coach 10 more years or I might quit in a month.”
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) October 17, 2018
If Gregg Popovich does retire, the NBA will lose not just one of the game's great head coaches but one of their most outspoken icons. Popovich, who may be known to some for his short responses to the media or his tongue-in-cheek answers in pressers, has been a social activist for years. While that's obviously brought the ire of many, it's endeared him to the NBA fans and the league's players.
Here's what Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge would have to say about Gregg Popovich in an interview with The Undefeated‘s Marc J. Spears:
“He’s not the typical coach for sure,” San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge told The Undefeated. “He’s in tune with what is going on around the world with people and with race. He’s not afraid to voice his beliefs and his opinions. He’s tried to help us realize that there are more things than basketball, more than the NBA.”
“Pop,” as he's affectionately known, will be missed by all if he decides to retire.
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