He’s getting into his twenty ninth season as coach of the San Antonio SpursGregg Popovich nonetheless stays one of many premier coaches within the NBA.
One other problem comes Popovich’s approach, and this time he’ll assist a younger Spurs staff get again into playoff competition after a disappointing 2023-24 season. He’ll have a second-year model of Victor Wembanyama to assist him out, in addition to veteran additions Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to carry expertise and management to the roster.
San Antonio’s mission, as at all times, is to win — it now has a greater personnel to do this. He will not look again both, he simply goals to enhance as a staff.
“Our expectations are the identical as they’ve been for the reason that first yr I used to be coach,” Popovich stated Monday at Spurs media day. “We need to be the most effective staff we will be. It is by no means been a subject of debate (what number of video games gained) and it by no means will likely be.
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If the Spurs can climb the Western Convention ladder sufficient, Popovich may even be thought of for the Coach of the Yr award, which might be the fourth of his storied profession.
In accordance with DraftKings Massachusetts Sports activities BettingPopovich is tied with Michael Malone and JJ Redick because the sixth-best odds for the prize at +1800. Contemplating the place he and San Antonio landed final season, that is a greater than truthful evaluation.
Final yr’s winner – Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault – earned his victory on the again of a 57-win marketing campaign, placing his Play-In match staff in first place. That is the bar we’d like, and getting Spurs there can be historic.
Popovich can be a stunning winner this late in his profession and with San Antonio’s projection as a complete, however there’s at all times an space of risk the place this involves fruition. Nonetheless, it might take quite a bit, particularly towards Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla (+1000).
That being stated, Popovich can by no means be counted on to make historical past.
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