Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Unsure If He'll Return In 2020
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich hasn't expressed any interest in retiring any time soon, but the soon-to-be 70-year-old isn't ready to reveal what his plans are for next season.
"I don't know the answer," Popovich said, per Marc Stein of the New York Times. when questioned about his coaching future. "He’ll coach as long as he wants to coach," Spurs president R.C. Buford claimed.
Per Stein, Popovich's contract runs up after this season, as he finishes a five-year extension the Spurs gave him after winning the NBA Championship in 2014. Popovich is going to coach the U.S. basketball team at the 2020 Olympics, and there has been speculation that he would retire after completing his coaching duties in Tokyo.
The Spurs have been the NBA's model organization since Popovich took over as head coach in the 1996-97 season. Dating back to 1998, the Spurs have made the playoffs every year under Popovich - and they've won five championships in six NBA Finals - most recently in 2014.
Even though the Spurs are in the post "Big Three" era, Popovich has gotten the most out of offseason addition DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. Barring a terrible meltdown in the second half, Popovich and the Spurs should make the playoffs once again. They enter play on Friday with a 26-20 record, good enough for sixth in the Western Conference.
Popovich is undoubtedly going to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame one day, and he's earned the right to coach in San Antonio for as long as he wants. But with the Spurs in a major transitioning stage, Popovich could decide to step away and let a fresher voice lead them into the next era.
What This Means
It's anybody's guess what Popovich is planning to do after this season, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he decided to come for another year with the Spurs. Then, Popovich might decide to leave on a high note and ride off into the sunset after coaching USA's Olympic team.
Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Unsure If He'll Return In 2020
- BY ALEX HOEGLER
- – ON JAN 18, 2019
- IN NBA, NEWs
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich hasn't expressed any interest in retiring any time soon, but the soon-to-be 70-year-old isn't ready to reveal what his plans are for next season.
"I don't know the answer," Popovich said, per Marc Stein of the New York Times. when questioned about his coaching future. "He’ll coach as long as he wants to coach," Spurs president R.C. Buford claimed.
Per Stein, Popovich's contract runs up after this season, as he finishes a five-year extension the Spurs gave him after winning the NBA Championship in 2014. Popovich is going to coach the U.S. basketball team at the 2020 Olympics, and there has been speculation that he would retire after completing his coaching duties in Tokyo.
The Spurs have been the NBA's model organization since Popovich took over as head coach in the 1996-97 season. Dating back to 1998, the Spurs have made the playoffs every year under Popovich - and they've won five championships in six NBA Finals - most recently in 2014.
Even though the Spurs are in the post "Big Three" era, Popovich has gotten the most out of offseason addition DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. Barring a terrible meltdown in the second half, Popovich and the Spurs should make the playoffs once again. They enter play on Friday with a 26-20 record, good enough for sixth in the Western Conference.
Popovich is undoubtedly going to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame one day, and he's earned the right to coach in San Antonio for as long as he wants. But with the Spurs in a major transitioning stage, Popovich could decide to step away and let a fresher voice lead them into the next era.
What This Means
It's anybody's guess what Popovich is planning to do after this season, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he decided to come for another year with the Spurs. Then, Popovich might decide to leave on a high note and ride off into the sunset after coaching USA's Olympic team.
Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Unsure If He'll Return In 2020
