Dang, why are the Spurs ALWAYS so good? They never seem to miss a beat and are always in the regular season mix. Obviously, a lot of that has to do with Pops. Most definitely in the conversations of GOAT head coach. Afterall, he does have 5 Championships to speak of. Anyway, they're off to another nice start this season. Their only loss thus far to the Clippers, who may very well run away with this season's trophy.
OK, lemme ask this question: Where would you rank Popovich all-time as an NBA head coach? Top 5? Top 3? I'd probably put him ahead of Pat Riley, but behind Red Auerbach and PJ. IOW, #3 all-time.
If POP can win 50 plus games and take his team makes noise in WC playoffs for the next 3 years, I will put him top 3. If he's mediocre the next three years top 5. These coaches that have been blessed with more than one super star on their team for a number of years don't get the degree of difficulty points with me.
Why though? We praise Doctor Jack, but he didnt win anything without Bill Walton. Kerr, Pops, Phil, etc, all had exceptional talent. You cant win without exceptional talent. I dont like Pops but he’s a top 5 coach, if for nothing else but he has figured out how to get his stars to buy in.
The 77 team had 1 all time great. Kerr had at least 2 if not 3, Pops had 2 all time greats (Robinson and Duncan) and really good help (Manu, Parker), and Phil never was without at least two HOFers.
Yeah, I'm saying comparing what Jack did with the Blazers, vs what Kerr, Pop and Phil did isn't the same.
The Spurs are a solid team and have a 4-1 record, but they haven’t done anything very impressive yet. They started with a the season with a three game home set. Beat the bottom two teams in the east, NY and Washington, and won a game against the Blazers with the help of a bad call in the last two minutes and a Dame 3 pointer that defied gravity to pop out of the hoop. They got beat on the road by a Clippers team that is still without George, and they won on the road against a decimated Warriors squad. Let’s see what their record is in a couple of weeks.
Oh I know, but I wouldn't put Dr. Jack in the top 5 either, top 10 though. I guess I look at coaches that get more out of their players and do ok in the offs without multi super stars. Adelman did well as a coach as he always seem to get much out of his players, Clyde was a super star I guess, but the rest were excellent players but not deemed ss's. Lets see how good Kerr is now that his stars are shelved. Sloan was a super coach. Rudy was an excellent coach too.
