Gregg Popovich, already a five-time NBA champion with San Antonio, made history on Wednesday by becoming the coach with the most regular season wins, his 1,336and against Utah, allowing him to pass Don Nelson.
The Spurs, in the fight for a play-off place on the road to the play-offs in the Western Conference, beat the Jazz (104-102).
His players surrounded him and hugged him. Hilarious, but not relishing being in the limelight, Popovich rushed to the locker room.
“This record does not belong to me, it belongs to everyone. Basketball is a team sport. You push your players to practice it together. And, in my life, this has always been the case, with all these wonderful players, technicians, staff members alongside whom I have been blessed to work, ”Popovich then reacted at a press conference.
“We had the support of this magnificent city, of our fans who have always been behind us no matter what. This record is ours and that’s what gives me joy. For the rest, another coach will beat him well on the way…”, he added.
This achievement is 1336and in 2030 matches, which equates to a percentage of 65.8, or two out of three matches. Nelson, whose assistant he was thirty years ago at Golden State, stopped at 1,335 in 2,398 games (55.6%).
Popovich took the reins of San Antonio in 1996 to make it a winning machine, putting on five rings (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), playing 22 play-offs in a row and being named coach of the year.
“An extraordinary man”
“Congratulations to the one and only” Popovich, greeted him on Twitter his former Argentinian fullback Manu Ginobili, who formed with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, one of the most formidable “Big3” in history.
“His success with Spurs is unprecedented, so it’s fitting that he now holds the winning record. His leadership and unwavering devotion to the game have been admired by generations of players and coaches. Congratulations on this new feat in his legendary career, ”reacted NBA boss Adam Silver.
This accomplishment, Popovich realizes it at 73 years old. Which generates a lot of speculation about when he will decide to retire. In the meantime, he strives to rebuild a competitive team with young players.
As for titles, he added a prestigious one last year, leading the United States to Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games.
Steve Kerr, the coach of the Warriors, who was his assistant and was, player, under his orders in San Antonio, paid him a vibrant tribute.
“I speak on behalf of all the basketball players you have coached over the years, to tell you how much you mean to us. Forget the victories, the records… What matters is what you represented in our eyes, how much you helped us grow as people and the experiences you gave us. You are an amazing coach and man. Congratulation. It’s well deserved. »