Spurs’ Popovich shares the credit for NBA wins record
San Antonio coach thanks fans and Nelson for giving him a chance back in 1992
Gregg Popovich’s name is on top of the NBA regular-season victory list. He thinks of it more as a group accomplishment.
“All of us share in this record,: Popovich said after Friday night’s record-breaking 1,336th victory when the San Antonio Spurs rallied to beat the Utah Jazz 104-102. “It’s not mine. It’s ours, here in the city.”
Popovich broke a tie with Don Nelson, the friend and mentor he served as an assistant under while with Golden State for two seasons. The milestone came in Popovich’s 2,030th game and 26th season with the Spurs, the only franchise for which he has served as head coach.
“It’s just a testament to a whole lot of people,” Popovich said. “Something like this does not belong to one individual. Basketball’s a team sport. You preach to your players that they have to do it together and that’s certainly been the case in my life with all the wonderful players and coaches, the staff that I’ve been blessed with, the support of this wonderful city. The fans support us no matter what.”
Unsurprisingly, the evening was met with zero fanfare. That is, until the end — players mobbed the 73year-old Popovich when the game was over, jumping around and hugging him until he could break free and headed to the locker room. Popovich was doused with a cooler of water and huge roars could be heard from the locker room as the Spurs celebrated along with Hall of Famer David Robinson.
“Tonight, he had to enjoy it,” Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray said. “He had no option.”
Praise or celebration of any achievement is typically brusquely deflected or simply ignored by Popovich. To hear Popovich explain it, he simply shows up to work and rolls the ball onto the court.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
He’s the fourth coach, going back to the end of the NBA’s first season, to stand atop the wins list. Red Auerbach held the mark for about a half-century, followed by Lenny Wilkens, followed by Nelson — and now, Popovich.
“The ironic thing about this is Nellie gave me a job when I didn’t have one back in ’92,” Popovich said. “He took me on. To be in this position, as the same breath as him, is in my opinion undeserving and quite awkward because he was so wonderful in saving my family’s (behind). So, it’s ironic that I’m sitting here in this situation.”
Popovich’s first stint in San Antonio ended in 1992, working for Larry Brown — until the whole coaching staff got fired. That’s when Popovich got a job as an assistant with Golden State, working for Nelson for two seasons. He returned to the Spurs in 1994 and took over as coach in 1996.
The Spurs released a video from Nelson after the game, congratulating Popovich — whom he called one of his best friends — and telling him how proud he is of his former assistant’s accomplishments “and all the wonderful things you’ve done for basketball, worldwide.”
“I’m so proud of you for doing it,” Nelson said. “I couldn’t wait for this day to happen.”
Popovich has won five NBA championships and 13 division titles and was recently named one of the 15 greatest coaches in league history.