The last game of his career?

Popovich's ambiguity once again leaves the NBA in suspense

The most successful coach in league history has completed a contract in San Antonio and at age 73 seems closer than ever to retirement.

In the United States, he is matched by the Lakers, but understands: only he knows what will happen, in the meantime he enjoys "hanging out" in the media

Walla!

sport

14/04/2022

Thursday, 14 April 2022, 11:07

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Danny Abdia in Israel (Kobi Eliyahu)

Did Greg Popovich coach tonight (Wednesday-Thursday) his last game of his career?

In the NBA there are those who believe that this is a completely realistic option.

San Antonio lost 113: 103 to New Orleans in a play-in, ended the season, and following the loss, the 73-year-old coach's contract also ended.

But Popovich, who has become the most decorated coach in league history this season with 1,336 wins in the regular season, is in no hurry to volunteer information.

When asked about his plans for the future, Pop stated that "this question is out of place," and also twisted when asked about the Spurs' plans for the upcoming draft.

It was the third consecutive season that San Antonio has not reached the playoffs, and according to reports in the United States, Popovic is undecided about his future.

According to Mark Stein, "Some people in San Antonio believe he will continue for another season," but he also understands that "only one person knows what's going to happen, and that's Greg Popovich."

More on Walla!

Atlanta went up to the decisive game against Cleveland, San Antonio was eliminated by the Pelicans

To the full article

Enjoys stretching with journalists.

Popovich (Photo: GettyImages, Sean Gardner)

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Popovich is known for his cool relationship with journalists, and in any case estimates in the United States are that when he decides to retire, it will happen spontaneously and modestly, and not at press conferences or a grandiose event.

"Popovich may have known this was his last game on the lines, and just did not reveal it to us. He always enjoyed the mound in the media," the United States noted.

Popovic, who finished his 26th season as Spurs coach, is the only veteran of the San Antonio team not to leave or change roles over the years.

His historic partner RC Beauford, the mythical general manager of the Spurs, also moved to the position of CEO in 2019. Of course the players identified with him and the five championships he has won, including Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, are no longer players Active.

The problem is that even those marked as Popovich's future successors on the lines are no longer part of the organization.

Aime Yudoka has left the job of assistant coach at the Spurs and succeeds as head coach at Boston, Becky the long-serving coach on Popovich's coaching staff left in the summer in favor of a WNBA coaching job, and if Popovich does leave, the Spurs will be in big trouble.

The last dance?

Popovich with LeBron (Photo: GettyImages, Ronald Cortes)

Another speculation is that Popovich will consider a possible move for the Lakers, to replace Frank Vogel and get LeBron James and his teammates out of the mediocrity in which they have sunk in the past two years.

Former player and commentator Kendrick Perkins repeatedly raises this option on ESPN broadcasts, claiming that "Pop is the only coach who can get there and put the team back in a position of control," but it is unclear how realistic that possibility is.

Either way, CBS notes that "Popovich has proven to be the greatest coach in history, and as such he has earned the right to announce his retirement in his own time, and on his own terms."

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• Greg Popovich

• San Antonio Spurs