The San Antonio Spurs blew out the Houston Rockets in a 131-106 victory setting up a special night for their head coach Gregg Popovich. Keldon Johnson almost had a career-high 28 points with seven rebounds and two blocks. Along with the 22-year-old forward, five other players also had 10+ points each in the win.
Gregg Popovich is the first coach in NBA history with 1,500 wins, regular season and playoffs. pic.twitter.com/3cjPGu45NH
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 5, 2022
This victory holds historic significance as it marks Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich‘s 1500th career win. Popovich now is the only head coach in NBA history to rack up 1500 regular season and playoffs wins overtaking Hall of Fame Lenny Wilkens.
The five-time NBA champion is also just five games from claiming Don Nelson’s record of most wins by a coach, with 1,335 wins. Coach Popovich also has the third-most wins in the playoffs, with 229 victories alongside five NBA Championships.
22-year domination of Gregg Popovich
Gregg Popovich joined the Spurs under Larry Brown as the lead assistant coach for the 1987–88 season from Pomona Pitzer college. Pop was Brown’s top assistant until 1988 to 1992 when owner Red McCombs fired the entire staff. He then moved to the Golden State Warriors in 1992, serving as an assistant under future Hall of Famer Don Nelson.
Gregg Popovich’s reaction to the Spurs playoff streak being snapped pic.twitter.com/H3sJ9pVgTV
— ContentNBA (@ContentNBA) August 14, 2020
Popovich returned to San Antonio as the general manager and vice president of basketball operations under Peter Holt’s ownership in 1994. In the 1996–97 season, Spurs with a 3–15 start with fired coach Bob Hill and Popovich himself head coach. After a sub-par 1996-97 season, Pop drafted future Hall of Fame Tim Duncan and a 22-year run of making the playoffs. The Spurs won five championships.
Class of Popovich
Under coach Pop, many stars have made their debut and have had Hall of Fame careers. This class of greatness started with Tim Duncan, who was the number one pick in the 97-98 draft. Nicknamed the Fundamentalist, Duncan had an illustrious career with four championships, three finals MVPs, two league MVPs, Rookie of the Year, 14 All-NBA and NBA All-Defensive teams, 14 All-Star games appearances.
Tim Duncan receives his official Hall of Fame Class Jacket and Ring. #20HoopClass x @Hoophall pic.twitter.com/ApzPQcnK1N
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 15, 2021
Popovich also had a knack for drafting unknown international players like Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, who also had close to Hall of Fame careers. Parker has won three championships with the 2007 Finals MVP. He has played in five All-Star games, was part of three All-NBA teams and is the franchise leader in assists.
6x All-Star
4x Champion
2007 Finals MVPTony Parker is a legend. Next stop: Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/vdx3wiLOBe
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) June 10, 2019
Ginobili has played for the San Antonio Spurs for 16 years, where he won four NBA championships. He was a two-time All-Star in 2005 and 2011 and was part of two All-NBA Teams. He was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in the 2007–08 season.
Manu Ginobili announces his retirement after 16 seasons in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/vUqsLuFKWM
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 27, 2018
