Gregg Popovich has enjoyed incredible success at the helm of the San Antonio Spurs organization, claiming five NBA titles, receiving three NBA Coach of the Year awards and winning at least 50 games each year since his first season in 1996-97, with the exception of the shortened 1998-99 season, where the regular season was only 50 games long. In that short season, the Spurs went 37-13 and went on to win the NBA Finals, so that season was fairly impressive as well. This season, however, Popovich has accomplished something he had yet to do in his illustrious career: Win at least 65 games.
Because of the frenzy surrounding the Golden State Warriors' chase for history, San Antonio has flown largely under the radar throughout the course of the season, which is likely what Popovich wanted. Judging from his stoic, short, in-game interview responses, Coach Pop wants the focus to be solely on what his team accomplishes on the court, and the Spurs have given both the media and fans plenty to talk about this season.
San Antonio locked up the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with ease this season, holding a 10.5-game advantage over the Oklahoma City Thunder heading into the matchup of the two teams Tuesday night. With the No. 2 seed, the Spurs will have home-court advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and they will also host the Western Conference Finals if the Warriors are upset in one of the first two rounds.
Record alone is not enough to give Popovich the NBA Coach of the Year Award, but the way he attained that record is. The Spurs are arguably the league's most talented team, boasting a roster featuring a mix of young stars such as Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge and veterans such as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The team also has strong role players in veteran David West, sharpshooter Danny Green and spark-plug Patty Mills, while also getting a contribution from the passing and versatility of Boris Diaw. It's no surprise that the Spurs breezed through the regular season. However, Popovich has set the team up for success in the postseason as well, as the Spurs are healthy and rested, thanks to the coach who stuck to his philosophy.
Popovich has no problem sitting his stars when they need a night off, regardless of the magnitude of the game. Duncan sat out in the team's home contest against the Warriors on Sunday night, despite the fact that the Spurs had the best opportunity to prevent Golden State from breaking the Bulls' 72-win record. Even though he hasn't suffered a serious injury this season, Duncan has started just 59 of the team's 80 games. Leonard has played the most minutes per game of any San Antonio player, averaging 33 per contest. Outside of him and Aldridge, no other Spurs player has averaged more than Parker's 27.4 minutes a night.
The Spurs are also a textbook example of a selfless team as only three players on the team average double-figure scoring, but 12 Spurs average at least five points per night. The team does not have a true star player, but rather a group of strong contributors and plenty of players capable of having good games on any given night.
Throughout a year where Popovich has won more games than ever before in his career, he has kept the Spurs out of the national spotlight while continuing to establish a philosophy around team basketball and resting players. The Spurs are set up for success in the postseason thanks to the prowess of their head coach and, because of that, Popovich deserves the recognition.