March 12, (THEWILL) – Gregg Popovich, the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, has become the NBA coach with the most wins in the franchise after a lengthy and illustrious career.
They needed a comeback win over the surging Utah Jazz, to see Popovich surpass Don Nelson as the NBA’s all-time leading wins with 1,336 victories as Dejounte Murray led the way for the home team with a clutch performance.
The Spurs appeared to be in trouble early on as the Jazz took a dominating 15-point lead. Popovich and his team gradually whittled away at the lead, bringing it to within a single possession in the final minutes. Murray, the team’s All-Star, led the way with clutch bucket after clutch bucket at the finish for the win.
Popovich surpassed his longtime mentor, Don Nelson, as the winningest coach in NBA history with the victory. The Spurs coach tied the record earlier this week against the Los Angeles Lakers, but were unable to break it two nights ago against the Toronto Raptors.
The record finally came against the Jazz and the city of San Antonio, which has the 7th largest population in the United States, can now celebrate this historic feat.
“[The record] is a testament to a whole lot of people”, Popovich was modest about the accomplishment in his post-match remarks.
“Something like this does not belong to one individual. Basketball is a team sport, and 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, coaches, staff that I’ve been blessed with…the support of this wonderful city, the fans support us no matter what.
“All of us share in this record. It’s not mine, it’s ours.”
It is a deserved milestone that makes the argument of Popovich being the greatest coach of all time much stronger. During his long stint with the Spurs, he has led them to five championships and several Finals appearances. With this accomplishment, Pop may finally feel ready to call it quits after this season.
League commissioner, Adam Silver, released a statement on the historic night for the celebrated coach that read: “Gregg Popovich’s success with the Spurs is unprecedented in our league so it’s only fitting that he now holds the record for most career wins.
“His leadership and unwavering commitment to the game are widely admired by generations of players and coaches alike. Congratulations to Coach Pop on this latest achievement in his legendary career.”
He is the fourth coach to reach the top of the wins list, dating back to the end of the NBA’s first season. For over a half-century, Red Auerbach held the title, followed by Lenny Wilkens, Nelson, and now Popovich.
Popovich has five NBA championships and 13 division titles to his credit, and he was just voted one of the league’s top 15 coaches.
He coached NBA 75th Anniversary Team members, David Robinson and Tim Duncan, future Hall of Fame members, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, as well as Danny Green and current NBA coaches Steve Kerr, Monty Williams, the Nigerian-American coach of the Boston Celtics, Ime Udoka and Doc Rivers.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
