The Spurs have unveiled a banner in honor of former head coach Gregg Popovich, according to The Associated Press. The team honored the legendary coach ahead of its home opener against the Nets today.
The banner was not accompanied by a celebration or ceremony, in keeping with Popovich’s wishes and style. In understated fashion fitting for the team and person it’s honoring, the banner simply read: “Pop 1,390,” in reference to his 1390 wins, the most of any coach in NBA history, followed by “Hall of Fame,” as tribute to his 2023 induction.
“I think it’s very Pop-esque,” Mitch Johnson, who is currently in the midst of his first full season as the Spurs head coach, said of the unflashy ceremony.
Popovich took out an ad on page A12 of the San Antonio Express-News today to express his gratitude to the fanbase, relays Mike Finger of the Express-News (via Twitter).
“While I will miss being on the sidelines, I’m content knowing this transition came at a time when we were fortunate to have Mitch Johnson in place, ready to take over the program,” Popovich wrote. “All of us across the organization are excited to, once again, experience the good times together. Thank you for all the great years and here’s to many more.”
We have more from around the world of Texas hoops:
- The Spurs were on the cusp of blowing a 26-point lead to the Nets on Sunday — then Dylan Harper happened, writes Jeff McDonald of the Express-News. Harper finished his third game as a professional with 20 points and eight assists off the bench, and his teammates felt that he helped turn the tide. “He’s making all the right plays,” Spurs forward Keldon Johnson said. “When we had that little slump in the second half, he came in and bought that spark.” Mitch Johnson was thrilled with Harper’s performance on both ends of the court against Brooklyn. “I think his offense was really good and obviously his stat line will represent that,” the Spurs’ coach said. “But I thought his defense was better than his offense.”
- Cooper Flagg spoke about the Mavericks‘ 0-for-2 start to the season ahead of their Sunday night tip-off against the Raptors. “It came down to turnovers — just silly ones we shouldn’t have thrown,” Flagg said of the team’s 117-110 loss to the Wizards. “We’ve got to take care of the ball because that led to a lot of transition opportunities for them.” Flagg has been operating as the Mavs’ primary ball-handler through the first three games, and has had some positive moments while still working on learning the intricacies of running an offense, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. Flagg became the second player under 19 to have a game with at least 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists, Afseth notes, with the other being LeBron James.
- It took just two games for Mavericks fans to regain their frustration with team leadership, writes Marc Stein of the Stein Line (subscriber link). Stein writes that “Fire Nico” chants, referencing general manager Nico Harrison, were audible in both of the team’s two losses to start the season, the first one coming at the hands of Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, and the second against the Wizards. Harrison remains confident in his position with the team, which Stein notes is bolstered by the support of owner Patrick Dumont, partially because Dumont was the person who signed off on Harrison’s trade of Luka Doncic.
Free Keldon Johnson and trade him somewhere he can start and play. San Antonio gets a young PF. Wemby’s partner. Sign Tyler Smith maybe too
Does San Antonio still have that female assistant coach? A missed opportunity?
He’s our new Manu ..he’s the fire the energy off the bench…he’s our feisty leader ..he’s San Antonio…he ain’t going nowhere
I hope Flagg’s growth isn’t stunted by your Mavs
Offer Flagg and stuff to the Lakers for Luka
Harper gives the Spurs a true PG to run with Wemby. Don’t give that ROY to Flagg just yet.
They’re gonna need to trade Fox sooner than later. Harper–Castle is a legit future backcourt that is maturing quickly
Fox makes $37, $50, $54, $58 and $62M over the next 5 years. Who is trading for that? Literally no one ever. SAS are keeping everyone and just enjoying the depth. Injuries will happen.
@DaveyJ, you nailed it. It’s a negative contract for almost any team in the league. SAS can carry it because their roster has so many rookie scale deals and no max contracts. SAS had no choice but to sign Fox to a long-term deal, or he would have walked.
Seriously, the Kings are probably the only team in the league that Fox’s contract makes sense for. Think about it.
– They lack a starting caliber PG (sorry Dennis Schroeder).
– They’ll have the cap space and tradeable assets. DeRozan leaves after this season, and Keegan, Monk and Schroeder have very movable contracts.
– Sabonis may ask to leave if the Kings don’t improve their lineup.
– Because SAS has so little leverage, the Kings get Fox back on a long-term deal, which he wasn’t on when he left. Hey, this is Sacramento. The new GM looks smart.
Here’s the bones for a Feb trade.
Fox for Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, and Dennis Schroeder. (Remember, Fox is still making only $37M.)
I agree, you said it: rebuilding is the only Kings route here. They put the absolute worst possible group around Sabonis, total failure as a front office. All-shooting, no defense? Nope. Not going to cut it here. Sacto remains one of the most clown shoes organizations in USA pro sports. I could literally do better and the first move I make here is sell everything not nailed down and stack FRPs. Also you are right, getting Fox back to build around him is better than what they are doing here.
If Mavs play this bad then yea, you can give ROY to Flagg.
Being asked to be the playmaker of a playoff team at age 19 with a top 75 all-time guy out there with you is some heavy stuff to take in at that age. If he does literally anything at all, its a W. And he already is.
“Flagg became the second player under 19 to have a game with at least 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists, Afseth notes, with the other being LeBron James.”
We already got the next Lebron while Lebron still active. So much for “one of one”.
The PG experiment in Dallas is over. Kidd should onow better than to play anyone at PG. Especially when you run a PG offense. Not a big Russ guy. But he should be starting there. Till they trade for one. Mavs should be looking at McBride …..
Too many posters in here don’t understand why there are 5 positions in basketball. Like all the big man is dead nonsense of a few yrs ago.
Flagg should not be playing PG at all. I agree about the PG problem
Pops we love ya ……. Thankful I got to witness Pops run. You taught us all 🙏