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Gregg Popovich

Gregg Popovich calls Trump 'deranged idiot' in wake of protests ... For the American business executive, see .

Gregg PopovichPopovich speaking at the in January 2015San Antonio SpursPositionLeaguePersonal informationBornJanuary 28, 1949 NationalityAmericanListed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)Career informationHigh school ()College (1966–1970) Coaching career1973–presentCareer historyAs coach:1973–1979 (assistant)1979–19861986–1987 (assistant)1987–1988Pomona-Pitzer– (assistant)– (assistant)–presentSan Antonio SpursCareer highlights and awardsAs head coach:As executive:

Gregg Charles Popovich (born January 28, 1949) is an American professional coach and general manager. He is the head coach and president of the of the (NBA), and head coach of . Taking over as coach of the Spurs in 1996, Popovich is the longest tenured active coach in both the NBA and all . He is often called "Coach Pop" or simply "Pop."

Popovich has the most wins in NBA history (regular season and playoffs), surpassing and on April 13, 2019. He has led the Spurs to a winning record in each of his 22 full seasons as head coach, surpassing for the most consecutive winning seasons in NBA history. During his tenure, the Spurs have had a winning record against every other NBA team. Popovich has led the Spurs to all five of their NBA titles, and is one of only five coaches in NBA history to win five titles.

Contents Early life and education Popovich was born in , on January 28, 1949, to a father and a mother. He started his basketball career playing Biddy Basketball and was on the 1960 Gary Biddy Basketball All-Star Team that finished third in the World Tournament, held at Gary's Memorial Auditorium. He attended and graduated in 1970 from the . He played basketball for four seasons at the Academy and in his senior year was the team captain and the leading scorer. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Studies, and underwent Air Force intelligence training. He later earned a master's degree in physical education and sports sciences at the . At one point, Popovich considered a career with the .

Popovich served five years of required active duty in the , during which he toured and the with the U.S. Armed Forces Basketball Team. In 1972 he was selected as captain of the Armed Forces Team, which won the (AAU) championship. This earned him an invitation to the 1972 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team trials.

Coaching career Popovich returned to the Air Force Academy as an assistant coach in 1973 under head coach , a position he held for six years. Egan later became an assistant coach under Popovich for the San Antonio Spurs.

During his time with the coaching staff of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Popovich attended the and earned his in and sports sciences. In 1979, he was named the head basketball coach of 's men's team. Popovich coached Pomona-Pitzer men's basketball from 1979 to 1988, leading the team to its first outright title in 68 years.

During his time as head coach at Pomona-Pitzer, Popovich became a disciple and later a close friend of head coach at . Popovich took off the 1985–86 season at Pomona-Pitzer to become a volunteer assistant at Kansas, where he could study directly under Brown. Popovich returned to Pomona-Pitzer and resumed his duties as head coach the next season.

Following the 1987–88 season, Popovich joined Brown as the lead assistant coach for the Spurs. From 1988 to 1992, Popovich was Brown's top assistant, until the entire staff, including , and , were fired by owner . Popovich moved to the for a brief stint in 1992, serving as an assistant under future and bringing with him , who had been cut by the Spurs.

San Antonio Spurs (1994–present) Popovich in 2010In 1994, Popovich returned to San Antonio as the general manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations after purchased the team. Popovich's first move was to sign Avery Johnson as the team's starting . Another one of Popovich's early moves in San Antonio was to trade to the for . Rodman was not fond of Popovich, as Rodman said in his first book .

After the Spurs had a 3–15 start in the 1996–97 season, with sidelined with a preseason back injury, Popovich fired coach and named himself head coach. Robinson then broke his foot after only six games and was lost for the season. was also limited to 39 games due to injury, and missed the entire season. With a reduced roster that included an aging , the Spurs struggled and won only 17 games for the remainder of the season for an overall record of 20–62. The Spurs' disastrous season allowed them the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, which they used to draft out of .

The Spurs blossomed as the 6'11" Duncan teamed up with the 7'1" Robinson in a "Twin Tower" offense and defense for several years. After recovering to win 56 games in 1997-1998 (Popovich's first full year as coach), the Spurs won their first NBA title in .

In 2002, Popovich relinquished his position as general manager to , who had served as the team's head scout. Popovich and Buford were both given their starts in the NBA in 1988 as assistants on Brown's coaching staff with the Spurs.

Popovich has won five championships with the Spurs—, , , and . He was named in 2003, 2012, and 2014.

On April 4, 2008, Popovich returned to the U.S. Air Force Academy to receive the academy's award of Distinguished Graduate. Despite his four NBA titles at the time, Popovich said it was the most meaningful award he had ever received.

On May 2, 2012, Popovich won his second Coach of the Year Award for the .

Popovich interview by On November 29, 2012, Popovich sat out starters Tim Duncan, , , and for a nationally televised game against the . Popovich has frequently sat out his starters on road trips over the years to ensure they have enough rest for the playoffs; the Spurs' roster was among the oldest in the league. NBA commissioner was outraged by this and said on the night of the game that it was "unacceptable," and "substantial sanctions [would] be forthcoming." On November 30, Stern fined the Spurs $250,000 for what he called "a disservice to the league and the fans." According to Stern, Popovich had not informed the Heat, the league or the media in a suitable time frame that the four players were not making the trip to Miami. Stern's decision was criticized by commentators such as of , who said, "Stern doesn't care about the realities of his league, just the appearances. To him, the appearance on Thursday night was that Popovich had tried to embarrass him on national television and that's why the commissioner tossed that tantrum."

Popovich led the Spurs to the to face the . The series lasted seven games, but the Spurs had their first ever Finals loss.

Popovich during a regular season game in 2011On April 22, 2014, Popovich was awarded the as he won the NBA Coach of the Year for the third time. He also won his fifth NBA championship with San Antonio that season, beating the Heat 4–1 in the Finals.

On February 9, 2015, Popovich became the ninth coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games when the Spurs defeated the 95–93. He and are the only two coaches in NBA history to win 1,000 games with one franchise.

On August 1, 2015, Popovich served as Team Africa's head coach at the .

In the 2015–16 season, Popovich led the Spurs to a franchise-high 67 wins, but he and the team lost in the conference semifinals against the in six games.

On February 4, 2017, Popovich recorded his 1,128th regular season win with one franchise, surpassing Sloan.

On April 13, 2019, Popovich surpassed Lenny Wilkens and became the all-time winningest coach in NBA history with his 1,413th win (regular season and playoffs combined).

Popovich said he supports the comments from NBA commissioner surrounding the controversy with the NBA and .

National team career Popovich served on the coaching staff for the during the (assisting ), during the 2003 America Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and during the , where the U.S. won a bronze medal.

On October 23, 2015, Popovich was named head coach of the U.S. men's national team, taking over from after the .

At the , the U.S. national team finished in seventh place, its worst finish ever in international competition.

Personal life Popovich with Secretary of Defense and Spurs' player speaks at cadets from local high schools.On multiple occasions, Popovich has spoken out on behalf of issues, including in support of the . He has also repeatedly criticized the behavior of .

Popovich was married to Erin Popovich until her death on April 18, 2018; the couple had two children.

Humanitarian work Popovich has spent considerable time and money working with several charities and nonprofits the likes of San Antonio Food Bank and Innocence Project. He also took part in Shoes That Fit, an organization that aims to deliver shoes to more than 200 students at Gates Elementary School affected by Hurricanes and . Popovich is helping raise funds for J/P HRO, a disaster relief program that operates in , and various disaster relief organizations in the U.S. and .

Head coaching record College Statistics overviewSeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason () (1979–1986)1979–80Pomona-Pitzer2–221–116th1980–81Pomona-Pitzer 10–153–96th1981–82Pomona-Pitzer9–176–61982–83Pomona-Pitzer12–116–41983–84Pomona-Pitzer9–176–61984–85Pomona-Pitzer11–147–51985–86 Pomona-Pitzer16–128–21st Regional Fourth PlacePomona-Pitzer Sagehens (Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1987–1988)1987–88Pomona-Pitzer7–194–6Pomona-Pitzer:76–12941–49Total:76–129National championPostseason invitational champion Conference regular season champion Conference regular season and conference tournament champion Division regular season championDivision regular season and conference tournament champion Conference tournament champion

NBA LegendRegular seasonGGames coachedWGames wonLGames lostW–L %Win–loss %PlayoffsPGPlayoff gamesPWPlayoff winsPLPlayoff lossesPW–L % Playoff win–loss %TeamYearGWLW–L%FinishPGPWPLPW–L%Result641747.2666th in ————Missed playoffs825626.6832nd in Midwest945.444Lost in 503713.7401st in Midwest17152.882Won 825329.6462nd in Midwest413.250Lost in825824.7071st in Midwest1376.538Lost in825824.7071st in Midwest1046.400Lost in826022.7321st in Midwest24168.667Won 825725.6952nd in Midwest1064.600Lost in825923.7201st in 23167.696Won 82 6319.7681st in Southwest1376.538Lost in825824.7072nd in Southwest20164.800Won 825626.6832nd in Southwest1798.529Lost in825428.659 1st in Southwest514.200Lost in825032.6102nd in Southwest1046.400Lost in826121.7441st in Southwest624.333Lost in665016.7581st in Southwest14104.714Lost in825824.7071st in Southwest21156.714Lost in826220.7561st in Southwest23167.696Won 825527.6713rd in Southwest734.429Lost in826715.8171st in Southwest1064.600Lost in826121.7441st in Southwest1688.500Lost in824735.5733rd in Southwest514.200Lost in824834.5852nd in Southwest734.429Lost inCareer1,8201,245575.684284170114.599See also References External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to . Links to related articles# denotes interim head coach

[//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?type=1x1]Retrieved from "": Hidden categories: Spurs' Gregg Popovich unleashes on President Trump following death ... By using this website, you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, visit our X

An Illinois sheriff in riot gear in downtown Chicago, May 30, 2020. (Jim Vondruska / NurPhoto / Getty)

People from across the sports world have spoken out, raised money, and taken part in demonstrations after the police murder of George Floyd. One voice that we hadn’t heard yet has been perhaps President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critic in the wide world of sports, as well as someone who has never shied away from speaking about institutionalized racism or police brutality, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.1

Late last night my phone rang, and it was Coach Pop. He was ready to say something.2

“The thing that strikes me is that we all see this police violence and racism, and we’ve seen it all before, but nothing changes. That’s why these protests have been so explosive,” he said. “But without leadership and an understanding of what the problem is, there will never be change. And white Americans have avoided reckoning with this problem forever, because it’s been our privilege to be able to avoid it. That also has to change.”3

The question of leadership clearly was weighing heavily on Popovich’s mind. At this critical moment, he was feeling despair over what he saw as a leadership void in the White House.4

“It’s unbelievable. If Trump had a brain, even if it was 99 percent cynical, he would come out and say something to unify people. But he doesn’t care about bringing people together. Even now. That’s how deranged he is. It’s all about him. It’s all about what benefits him personally. It’s never about the greater good. And that’s all he’s ever been.”5

George Floyd Protests







Popovich then took a moment to imagine a different kind of leadership.6

“It’s so clear what needs to be done. We need a president to come out and say simply that black lives matter. Just say those three words. But he won’t, and he can’t. He can’t because it’s more important to him to mollify the small group of followers who validate his insanity. But it’s more than just Trump. The system has to change. I’ll do whatever I can do to help, because that’s what leaders do. But he can’t do anything to put us on a positive path, because he’s not a leader.7

“It’s like what Lindsay Graham and Ted Cruz used to say when they had the courage to say it: He’s unfit. But they have chosen instead to be invisible and obsequious in the face of this carnage. In the end, what we have is a fool in place of a president, while the person who really runs the country, Senator Mitch McConnell, destroys the United States for generations to come. McConnell has destroyed and degraded our judicial system. He has tried to destroy health care. He’s destroyed the environment. He’s the master, and Trump’s the stooge, and what’s funny is that Trump doesn’t even know it. Trump’s always wanted to be part of the in-group, but McConnell is an in-group of one, and Trump plays the fool.”8

Pop then makes clear his opinion that we have a uniquely malignant presence in the White House.9

“He’s not just divisive. He’s a destroyer. To be in his presence makes you die. He will eat you alive for his own purposes. I’m appalled that we have a leader who can’t say, ‘Black lives matter.’ That’s why he hides in the White House basement. He is a coward. He creates a situation and runs away like a grade-schooler. Actually, I think it’s best to ignore him. There is nothing he can do to make this better because of who he is: a deranged idiot.”10

I asked Coach Pop about the protests, about the raw anger that’s been produced by police violence, disease, and mass unemployment. 11

Related Article Dave Zirin

“They are very necessary, but they need to be organized better. It’s frustrating. When [Martin Luther] King did a protest, you knew when to show, when to come back the next day. But if you’re just organizing protests and everyone is coming and going in every direction, it doesn’t work that way. If it was nonviolent, they knew to be nonviolent, but this is muddled. More leadership would be very welcome so these incredible mass demonstrations can’t be used by people for other means. We can limit the bad, but only if things are organized better.”12

I wanted to ask how they could “limit the bad” if the police were instigating violence, as reported, in many locales. But before I could, Pop sighed deeply and said, “Again, we need change. The system has to change. I’m willing to do my part. That’s all I got. Bye, Dave.”13

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head coach Gregg Popovich doesn’t pull his punches. You may not like what he has to say, but he’ll always tell you exactly what’s on his mind. And after, he had quite a lot on his mind.

and he touched on several topics that are currently in the news. He began by talking about racism and police violence in response to , and how things continue to stay the same.

>

“The thing that strikes me is that we all see this police violence and racism and we’ve seen it all before but nothing changes. That’s why these protests have been so explosive. But without leadership and an understanding of what the problem is, there will never be change. And white Americans have avoided reckoning with this problem forever because it’s been our privilege to be able to avoid it. That also has to change.”



Then he moved on to leadership, lamenting the current resident of the White House, President Donald Trump.

>

“It’s unbelievable. If Trump had a brain, even if it was 99 percent cynical, he would come out and say something to unify people. But he doesn’t care about bringing people together. Even now. That’s how deranged he is. It’s all about him. It’s all about what benefits him personally. It’s never about the greater good. And that’s all he’s ever been.”



Spurs head coach Greg Popovich didn't hold back when talking about Donald Trump's response to the protests that have sprung up in response to the death of George Floyd in police custody. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) [https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YwoZJHYNsdJ3JSIzgGrvDg--~A/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9ODAw/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-images/2020-06/77c54e30-a436-11ea-bbef-afbb038f7169] Spurs head coach Greg Popovich didn't hold back when talking about Donald Trump's response to the protests that have sprung up in response to the death of George Floyd in police custody. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)MorePopovich has spoken about Trump before, but given everything that’s happened over the past week, this time

>

“It’s so clear what needs to be done. We need a president to come out and say simply that ‘Black Lives Matter.’ Just say those three words. But he won’t and he can’t. He can’t because it’s more important to him to mollify the small group of followers who validate his insanity. But it’s more than just Trump. The system has to change. I’ll do whatever I can do to help because that’s what leaders do. But he can’t do anything to put us on a positive path because he’s not a leader.

“It’s like what Lindsay Graham and Ted Cruz used to say when they had the courage to say it: He’s unfit. But they have chosen instead to be invisible and obsequious in the face of this carnage. In the end what we have is a fool in place of a president, while the person who really runs the country, Senator Mitch McConnell, destroys the United States for generations to come. McConnell has destroyed and degraded our judicial system. He has tried to destroy heath care. He’s destroyed the environment. He’s the master and Trump’s the stooge, and what’s funny is that Trump doesn’t even know it. Trump’s always wanted to be part of the in-group, but McConnell is an in-group of one and Trump plays the fool.

“He’s not just divisive. He’s a destroyer. To be in his presence makes you die. He will eat you alive for his own purposes. I’m appalled that we have a leader who can’t say ‘Black Lives Matter.’ That’s why he hides in the White House basement. He is a coward. He creates a situation and runs away like a grade-schooler. Actually, I think it’s best to ignore him. There is nothing he can do to make this better because of who he is: a deranged idiot.”



As far as the protests that have sprung up across the country (and the world) since the death of George Floyd in police custody, Popovich let up on the gas pedal a little. He gave the protesters advice that he hopes will help them.

>

“[The protests] are very necessary, but they need to be organized better. It’s frustrating. When Dr. King did a protest, you knew when to show, when to come back the next day. But if you’re just organizing protests and everyone is coming and going in every direction, it doesn’t work that way. If it was nonviolent, they knew to be nonviolent, but this is muddled. More leadership would be very welcome so these incredible mass demonstrations can’t be used by people for other means. We can limit the bad, but only if things are organized better.”



Popovich has never shied away from making political statements and standing up for what he believes in. It’s comforting that even though the NBA is currently suspended due to COVID-19, Popovich hasn’t changed one bit.

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