'I wish': Gregg Popovich's melancholic reflection on not being Spurs HC in the 2026 NBA Finals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
2026 is starting to echo 1999. Technological woes brought about by Y2K have become parallel to AI, a previously elected US President is currently serving his second term in the White House, and the San Antonio Spurs are facing off against the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. One thing is missing though. While there is a Brunson playing on the Knicks side of the court, Coach Gregg Popovich is no longer the head coach of the Spurs, lurking on the sidelines.
Still, Popovich contributes to the Victor Wembanyama-led team's strategy, though he wishes he were on the sidelines as he was 27 years ago.
Going down 2-0 in the NBA Finals is not an easy sight to experience. What makes that even worse? For Coach Gregg Popovich, it is that his heart and mind know it can still help Victor Wembanyama and Co. topple the Knicks, but his body no longer allows him to do so.
See, Coach Pop had a stroke on November 2, 2024. Since then, he has stepped down as the head coach of the Spurs, handed the keys over to Coach Mitch Johnson, and moved over to become the President of Basketball Operations instead.
2026 is starting to echo 1999. Technological woes brought about by Y2K have become parallel to AI, a previously elected US President is currently serving his second term in the White House, and the San Antonio Spurs are facing off against the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. One thing is missing though. While there is a Brunson playing on the Knicks side of the court, Coach Gregg Popovich is no longer the head coach of the Spurs, lurking on the sidelines.
Still, Popovich contributes to the Victor Wembanyama-led team's strategy, though he wishes he were on the sidelines as he was 27 years ago.
Going down 2-0 in the NBA Finals is not an easy sight to experience. What makes that even worse? For Coach Gregg Popovich, it is that his heart and mind know it can still help Victor Wembanyama and Co. topple the Knicks, but his body no longer allows him to do so.
See, Coach Pop had a stroke on November 2, 2024. Since then, he has stepped down as the head coach of the Spurs, handed the keys over to Coach Mitch Johnson, and moved over to become the President of Basketball Operations instead.
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