This year is the 20 year anniversary of Gregg Popovich
taking over the Spurs’ head coaching duties. At the time he was the team’s
general manager and I remember how I thought this was such a raw deal. Then Coach Bob Hill was off to a 3-15 start
that year but he was also coming off two seasons in which the Spurs had won 62
and 59 games respectively. He was no
slouch. In 1996-1997 the team also dealt
with a ton of injuries to include star David Robinson. It just didn’t seem right nor sit well with
me then. I thought it was a bush league
move but obviously Popovich was smarter than we all thought.
And the rest is history right? With Robinson out the bulk of the year they
were 17-47 under Popovich but won the lottery and the right to choose Tim
Duncan. What a coup that was. The franchise never looked back and won five
championships in the 20 years that have passed.
Just shows you that you just don’t know.
I love what they have done and how they’ve done it. A model franchise. Here’s to ya Pop.
