Gregg Popovich is 74 years old and coming off four straight losing seasons. He’s still the coach that most NBA players want.
According to an anonymous survey of over 100 NBA players, a full quarter of respondents chose Popovich as the NBA coach they’d most want to play for. Popovich is the winningest coach in NBA history, and as one player said, “Who wouldn’t enjoy playing for Pop?”
The Spurs’ recent lack of success has somewhat diminished Popovich’s standing in the poll – he got 40.9 percent of the vote in the 2019 poll. San Antonio hasn’t won a championship since 2014, hasn’t had a winning record since 2018-19 and hasn’t won a playoff series since 2017. But Popovich continuing to lead this poll shows his coaching appeal goes beyond wins and losses.
What’s his secret? Part of it is team dinners. Ever since Popovich first became a head coach, back at small Pomona-Pitzer College, he has hosted meals for his players and coaching staffs. Now that he’s at the NBA level, the dinners have gotten more extensive and elaborate, and Popovich’s wine knowledge is on par with some of the world’s top sommeliers.
Coach Don Nelson claims that his friend Popovich has “spent more on wine and dinners than my whole salary.” The Spurs often fly out in the morning after road games to allow for team dinners, where Popovich picks up the tab. He also pays for former Spurs who might be in the restaurant. (Steve Kerr, the second-place finisher in the coach poll, was allegedly a “primary culprit” in taking advantage of the free meals.)
While the meals build team chemistry, it also allows Popovich to be tougher on his players in practices. And that’s why the Spurs are still developing players who thrive elsewhere.
All-Star Dejounte Murray is in the playoffs with the Hawks. Derrick White has become one of Boston’s most important players this season, even the “Inside the NBA” guys roasted his hairline Tuesday night.
At 74, it’s not clear how long Popovich will keep coaching, though the Spurs landing Victor Wembanyama in the draft lottery might seriously revitalize Coach Pop. But as long as he’s still coaching, players are going to want to play for him. And not just for the great meals.
