Gregg Popovichthe legendary coach of the San Antonio Spursbecame this Friday the coach with the highest number of victories in the regular season in the history of the NBA.
Popovich achieved his victory number 1,336 thanks to the long-suffering but very meritorious victory of the San Antonio Spurs against the Utah Jazz (104-102), who ended up falling after a bad last quarter (40-28) despite the fact that they were winning by 15 points with 10 minutes to go.
The Spurs coach thus surpassed Don Nelsonwhich until now held the record with 1,335 match wins.
Congrats to Gregg Popovich of the @spurs for becoming the WINNINGEST COACH in NBA History! #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/ARH6qdOt5I
— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2022
Unlike Nelson, a huge reference in the NBA benches who went through many teams, Popovich is synonymous with success, perseverance and loyalty with the Spurs, whom he has directed continuously since the 1996-1997 season.
five rings
Popovich completely changed the DNA of the franchise and led the Spurs to five rings (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014).
Popovich’s extraordinary NBA career is above all linked to a basketball legend like Tim Duncan and also to other exceptional players like David Robinson, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker or Manu Ginóbili.
This moment with Gregg Popovich and the Spurs players 😂👏 pic.twitter.com/0LIf67YGKS
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 12, 2022
After the match that gave him the record, Popovich assured the media that such a mark “does not belong to a single person.”
“Basketball is a team sport. You lecture your players that they have to do things together and that has certainly been the case in my life with these wonderful players, coaches and team that I’ve been blessed with, and also with the support of this wonderful city,” he explained.
“All of us share this record. It’s not mine. It’s ours, from here in the city,” he added.
Message from Pau Gasol
Also, the commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silversurrendered to Popovich’s legacy.
“His success with the Spurs is unprecedented in our league so it is fitting that he now holds the record for most wins,” he said in a statement.
Huge congrats to Pop, all his staff members during all these years, and the entire @spurs organization for this incredible accomplishment! #GoSpursGo #MostWinsOfAllTime #History @nba
– Pau Gasol (@paugasol) March 12, 2022
“His leadership and steadfast commitment to basketball are widely admired by generations of players and coaches. Congratulations to Pop (his nickname) on his latest achievement in this legendary career.”
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Numerous NBA personalities praised Popovich for achieving this record, including Pau Gasolwho played with the Spurs from 2016 to 2019.
“Huge congratulations to Pop, to all of his team members over the years, and to the entire Spurs organization for this incredible accomplishment!” Gasol wrote on Twitter.
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