There were some rumors -- less than that, let’s call them rumblings -- that Gregg Popovich would retire at the end of this season. His contract with the Spurs was scheduled to expire. He lost his wife of 40 years Erin a year ago. Popovich himself is 70 years old. It’s a period of transition for the Spurs. Popovich has other basketball activities on his plate as the head coach of the senior United States men’s basketball team.
Gregg Popovich forever (or at least 3 more years)
We have that and more in Wednesday’s NBA newsletter.
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But thank goodness -- for the sake of all of us but the sideline reporters and the rival teams -- Popovich isn’t gone yet. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Pop will sign a 3-year deal with the Spurs, though he could consider retirement before that contract ends. This essentially ensures that the Spurs will remain a playoff-caliber team in the West for the forseeable future, as you hardly think San Antonio will begin a rebuild with Pop at the helm.
It also means that Popovich could become the leader for most wins by an NBA head coach. He’s No. 3 right now, 90 wins behind Don Nelson for No. 1. He could do it in the 2020-21 season if the Spurs win at least 45 games in each of the next two seasons. (The Spurs have won at least 45 games in each of the past 20 seasons.) He’d also have done it all for the same franchise and in six fewer seasons than Nelson.
Pop is unlikely to win another title unless the Spurs have an earth-shattering offseason, something no one really expects. But the next season or two or three (or more) should be a celebration of Popovich’s achievements and presence. He’s one of a kind, and we shouldn’t take his presence lightly.
(Gotta work on with LaMarcus on fouling down four with 30 seconds left, though.)
Scores
Celtics 102, Bucks 123
Series tied 1-1
Rockets 109, Warriors 115
Golden State leads 2-0
Schedule
Blazers at Nuggets, 9 ET, TNT
Denver leads series 1-0
Links
The Rockets hung tough again despite a gnarly eye injury for James Harden, but the Warriors had too much (despite a gnarly finger injury for Steph Curry). Golden State is up 2-0. The Warriors made a point to commend the performance of the referees! Members of the media who fanned the flames of the ref debate early this week vocally welcomed the refocus on basketball on Tuesday! I guess everything is cool now.
The Bucks smoked the Celtics as thoroughly as the Celtics had smoked the Bucks this weekend. So much for Al Horford having solved Giannis.
Four attainable things the Sixers can do to improve when that series resumes Thursday.
Not basketball, but I can’t tell you how excited I am for a Joel Anderson season of Slate’s “Slow Burn” dedicated to the Tupac and Biggie murders.
Oh uh, now folks are calling Kurt Rambis’ wife Linda the Lakers’ shadow owner?
Great piece from Henry Abbott on Nikola Jokic, Kevin McHale, Michael Malone, rest and foolishness.
Be excellent to each other.
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