It is nonetheless unclear when he’ll be again on the bench, however longtime San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich launched a press release thanking followers and the basketball world for his or her help after he suffered a stroke earlier this yr.
Popovich suffered a gentle stroke within the staff’s enviornment on November 2, and he has been recovering since.
“It has actually been an surprising six weeks for my household and me,” he mentioned in a press release Monday afternoon, marking his first feedback since his stroke.
“As we work by means of my restoration collectively, I need to take a second to share that the outpouring of help we’ve got obtained throughout this time has actually been overwhelming in one of the best ways attainable. Whereas I want I might return to each considered one of you, for now, let me simply say that my household and I are perpetually grateful. We’re grateful to our fantastic group, your complete Spurs group and our household and associates.
The Spurs initially mentioned Popovich was out as a result of an unspecified medical difficulty, though they confirmed he had a stroke practically two weeks later. Popovich is anticipated to make a full restoration.
Assistant coach Mitch Johnson is main the Spurs in his absence. The staff presently holds a 13-13 document heading into Thursday’s sport towards the Atlanta Hawks. The Spurs are 11-10 with out Popovich, though they’ve misplaced 4 of their final six video games.
Popovich, 75, is now in his twenty ninth season as head coach of the Spurs, making him the longest-tenured head coach within the league. He leads the NBA with 1,391 profession common season victories, and he has one other 170 playoff victories with 5 championships to his credit score, most not too long ago in 2014.
Neither the Spurs nor Popovich have mentioned when he may return. However by the sound of it and figuring out his persona, Popovich is greater than prepared.
“Nobody is extra excited to see me again on the bench than the proficient individuals who have led my rehab course of,” Popovich mentioned. “They rapidly understood that I’m removed from coachable.”
