Happy days may be here again for the San Antonio Spurs after they have been bad or mediocre for the last several years.
They struck it rich in the NBA draft lottery, winning the No. 1 pick and getting to draft Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 French phenom who has been described by many as a generational talent.
He will be coached by the legendary Gregg Popovich, who will be remaining in San Antonio on a new five-year contract to be the team’s coach and President of Basketball Operations.
Popovich is President of Basketball Operations and head coach, so it’s possible his new deal allows him to earn out the contract even if he doesn’t coach the full five years of the deal. https://t.co/B5ox56DfO6
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 8, 2023
Fans are largely happy for Popovich and feel he has deserved his new deal.
Good, he’s helped them win 5 championships. Earned that coin.
— Ahmar Khan (@AhmarSKhan) July 8, 2023
Pop could vanish and the Spurs would still pay him. That’s how much he means to the organization as a whole
— Desmond Smith Sr.™ (@_RickyRicardo06) July 8, 2023
This fan, however, thinks Popovich isn’t all that.
Overrated coach Vogel better
— Honest KD Fan (@TrolledByKD) July 8, 2023
It’s hard to call Popovich overrated when the teams he coached to five NBA championships were in a constant evolution process.
His 1999 championship team looked significantly different from his next three title-winning teams, and those three squads had a different cast of role players than his last championship team in 2014.
This fan thinks Popovich won’t remain as head coach for the entirety of his new contract.
📌
Steve Kerr will replace home in 3 years be the highest paid Pop will go to front office Steve will be Vp of Basketball Operations/Head Coach with 1.5% team equity will be the most valuable coaching offer in history watch
📌— Jo Smith (@Bruh_Man_5thFlo) July 8, 2023
When Popovich first joined the Spurs in 1988, they were a decent franchise, but nothing special, as they had never been legitimate title contenders.
But during his 27 years as head coach, they have almost always had at least a puncher’s chance at winning it all.
They have fallen on bad times ever since Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard left, but most expect Wembanyama to put them back on the map in a hurry.
Wembanyama now finds himself in the best situation possible to tap into his potential, while the Spurs will have an opportunity to establish a true winning tradition that transcends eras.
NEXT:
NBA Insider Explains Gregg Popovich’s Massive New Deal