LeBron James dropped a goat emoji on San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on Thursday, calling him the best to ever do it from the sidelines in NBA history.
LeBron James says Gregg Popovich is the ‘greatest coach of all time’
James has a 16-21 record against San Antonio.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
“I think he’s the greatest coach of all time,” James said after nearly posting a triple-double in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 118-103 win over Phoenix. “You have to be sharp, mentally and physically, when you go against his ball club. If you were an NFL player, it’s probably the same as going against a [New England Patriots-coached Bill] Belichick team.
“What they’re going to do, they’re going to do and you have to try to figure it out.”
James has had his fair share of bouts against Pop with both Cleveland and the Miami Heat, including three NBA Finals matchups with two going San Antonio’s way. He’s been studying the Spurs coach since playing under him as a rookie for the 2004 Team USA squad that took home a Bronze medal in Athens.
“Pop has been able to adjust every single time and still, for some odd reason, keep those guys under the radar. I don’t understand it.”
Popovich is one of few coaches to have LeBron’s number.
James boasts a 16-21 record — playoffs and regular season — against Pop’s Spurs. The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player has a losing record to only one other team: the Denver Nuggets (11-13).
So if The King ends up going down as one of the greatest to ever play, it’s only right Popovich sits in his throne atop the Mt. Rushmore of NBA coaches.
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