A Player's Coach



The Mount Rushmore of NBA Coaches



When you think of the Mount Rushmore of NBA coaches, one might think of Phil Jackson, Red Aurbach, and Pat Riley. One thing that all these coaches have in common is the personal relationship that they have with their players. In the sports world this is known as a player’s coach. A players coach is someone that everyone wants to play for not only because he/she is great coaches, but because they know how to get the best out of their players. This is no exception for the fourth member and current San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich.





Coach Pop Leading His Players

Gregg Popovich is considered by many to have a unique but successful coaching style. He knows how to breed winners and champions. At times Coach Popovich can be an autocratic coach. His blunt, forceful and direct comments are fair game even for his superstars. No one is too good to have their flaws or laziness pointed out in the game or in practice. Coach Popovich is also a very democratic coach. He’s never too prideful to not want to listen to a play drawn up by one of his players. He encourages each of his players to voice their opinion for the betterment of the team. He truly believes that no one person is better than the unity of the team. The next thing that Pop (short for Popovich) excels at is the social support that he has with his players. Every player has a unique and special relationship with Coach Popovich. Some see him as a great friend while other might see him as a father figure. These relationships are captured time and time again during games and practices when Coach Pop is mic’d up. He tells his players how proud he is of them or how he’s grateful to see them succeed. He believes in his players and his players in him. Lastly, Coach Pop is a master at positive feedback. Every good deed is mentioned. Nothing gets by Pops. His words pierce the hearts and minds of his players. Player’s listen to him because they know that he only says things to elevate their game.

Pop Celebrating with Patty Mills

Phil Jackson, Red Aurbach, and Pat Riley are already hall of fame coaches and well deserving of a spot on the Mount Rushmore of NBA greatest coaches. But move on over, because Coach Popovich is already considered a lock for the hall of fame and a spot on that mountain.  



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