[HitsterParticipant]

It was said to hear that the legendary Gregg Popovich had suffered a mild stroke recently and is still absent from Spurs bench. DEspite turning 76 in a couple of months and the team having been in rebuild Pops hasn’t talked about stepping down as HC to merely remain Team President let alone full retirement. Pat Riley who gave up coaching many years ago still oversees the Heat as their Team President and he turns 80 next year.

I do think Pops would have stepped back by now if the Spurs hadn’t drafted Wemby the chance to have a shot at him and then when they won the draft lottery gave Pops a long term project and the chance to build another great side around Wemby if he was all he promised to be.

Wemby has certainly been that or more and I hope Pops can return to the bench but the worry of a guy in his mid 70’s getting wound up and emotional during tight games pacing the court line, challenging calls does concern me. Could Pops perhaps just sit on the bench whilst his lead assistant does the “In game” coaching. Pips can still lead timeouts and make calls but maybe not get so involved in the game or even watch from a few rows back but still lead full timeouts etc,

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Popovich isn’t just the amazing coach for being an amazing coach as we know… He’s also that good because he’s proven he can pass the torch and spread the passing of torches.

David Robinson at his best imo was about as good as Olajuwon and Shaq but in a different way. He went down with an injury, came back and not only lead the Spurs to the playoffs, but also humbled down and passed the torch to eventual Spurs stud Tim Duncan. Well we all know what happened from there… Starting in the lockout season of 99′, the dynasty began.

Since then Popovich has done so much for the organization and the entire NBA coaching up staff to coach other competitive teams in the league, etc. and doing it with class and character.

My take – he’s trying to win 1 more before/while he passes more torches around. It is possible that an assistant could be the manager in training calling shots from the sidelines as said, and I think he’ll stick around til’ he wins one with Wemby, but even a guy without the ego getting in his way his whole career while winning will want that last championship. Idk if he’ll win another or not – time will tell, but I think he passes the torch within the next 3 years. If a miracle happens and the Spurs won this year or next, he might retire then. But after the 3rd year he might retire altogether or be some sort of advisor. I hope it happens that way and he’s not forced to retire due to health complications…

[HitsterParticipant]

I fully agree with you. The big decision is when he stops being HC. Guys have been or are Team Presidents into their 80’s so he can carry on with that role. I’m sure the Spurs have been quietly planning for the post Pops era. Guys like Ric Burford have come through and is now the CEO. Manu Ginobli is there too. Pops has a very good coaching staff too.

Pops can still be HC but can delegate more and I don’t see assistants wanting to jump ship as they need to be there when Pops retires to have a shot at the top job.

I’d say Pops window is likely a couple more seasons after this one which would take him up to 78 if his health holds. The real max would be 80 which would be 4 more seasons. Can they win another title well it all depends if Wemby stays sound I honestly think. I’d back Pops and co to get the right guys around him within the next year or so. If they can be anywhere near 0.500 this year and then back in play offs next year with a possible legit tilt in 26/27?

But I think you have made the perfect point he deserves to go out on his terms and I think Pops will be wise enough to know when that is. If he hadn’t got Wemby he might have decided to relinquish HC duties already.

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