Even though he is 75 years old and has just had a season with only 22 victories, one of the worst of his long career, Gregg Popovich clearly has no plans to retire. As we know, he extended his contract last summer for five seasons and $80 million, and gave an indication to journalists this weekend.
Before the match against the Pistons, the coach had mentioned a period of ten days to breathe before leaving. After the meeting, he slipped: ” I was joking. We have our work cut out for us. »
Steve Kerr doesn't see it stopping
“He was supposed to retire five years ago, so why predict he'll quit soon”explained Steve Kerr. “He’s going to come back and do a good job. He loves his job. »
His players seem to share the Warriors coach's prognosis. “I can’t imagine him leaving. It's not there at all. He hasn't shown anything in that direction this year.” notes Tre Jones. “He has the same excitement day after day, even more than in the past. He loves coaching so I don’t see him stopping anytime soon. »
“He tells us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear”
The majority of the players on his squad have never known a San Antonio team without Gregg Popovich, who coached his first game on the bench in December 1996. Victor Wembanyama was not yet born when the coach had already won two NBA championship titles.
“He made it clear, from day one, that he is first and foremost interested in people,” says the Frenchman. “I know that, in the league or elsewhere, the relationships between coaches and players are far from perfect, but I am happy with the conditions here. He is there to poke and correct us. My teammates and I reacted well to all of this and the dynamic is very good. »
The five-time NBA champion and Olympic gold medalist is therefore far from being at the end of the race. His enthusiasm is still there. “He was positive during the good times and the bad times,” Devin Vassell book. “When we were in the middle of a losing streak, he encouraged us. He tells us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear. I love him for that. »
