NBA Rumors: There’s a growing sense that Gregg Popovich will retire after the 2021-22 NBA season.
Undoubtedly, Gregg Popovich will go down as one of the best coaches in NBA history. He might be the best coach to ever step on an NBA hardwood, but that is neither here nor there. And heading into the 2021-22 NBA season, this could be the last dance for the all-time great.
Pop is about to begin his 26th season as the head coach for the San Antonio Spurs, in which he has made the postseason every season except three and has won five NBA championships.
"[via Bleacher Report]There is a growing belief that San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich will retire following the 2021-22 season. Popovich has remained non-committal to his coaching future, only saying that he’s excited to coach the young Spurs this season."
Pop has been one of the faces of the league for the better part of the last three decades. He’s helped carve the Spurs into one of the most consistent and successful franchises in league history. Even though the Spurs are coming off back-to-back seasons without a postseason appearance, the Spurs are still viewed as a premier franchise in today’s game.
Should this truly be the final season for Pop, it would be quite unfortunate. Pop isn’t taking a championship-worthy roster into the 2021-22 season. He’s not even taking one that most expect to make the playoffs.
But, this is also perfect. His last mission for the Spurs is to leave this franchise on the right track after years of being contenders. Over the past few seasons, since the departure of Kawhi Leonard, Pop has been doing his best to rebuild and develop the young Spurs. And he’s done that to the best of his ability, with multiple young talented players on the roster.
The Spurs are on the right track and it’s a shame that Pop likely won’t be able to see this new era of Spurs basketball through as the head coach.
Pop is one of the most influential faces in recent NBA history. The league won’t be the same without him and it’s sad if this season will indeed be the final season of his coaching career.