The next time someone refers to Gregg Popovich as a “genius” they should include the qualifier “part-time.”
The haters can feel free to use the word “idiot” — although in my opinion that’s taking it a little too far.
But here are the facts: When the Spurs trailed by four points with 23 seconds left in Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals, Popovich took his best player out of the game, subbing Gary Neal for Tony Parker.
I repeat: HE TOOK HIS BEST PLAYER OUT OF THE GAME AT THE MOST CRITICAL MOMENT OF THE NBA FINALS!
And then there was Game 6, when Popovich had a timeout to burn with 8 seconds left but let the Spurs run out in transition, where Manu Ginobili dribbled into three defenders and was either stripped or fouled, depending on your perspective. Then, when Miami needed a 3-pointer to tie, Duncan subbed out Tim Duncan, who had been dominating Chris Bosh throughout Game 6. And we all know what happened from there — Bosh grabbed the game’s most critical offensive rebound and found Ray Allen in the corner for the shot that tied the series and denied the Spurs a chance to end the series in six games.
Popovich’s terse responses to both personnel moves was that the Spurs always do it that way.
Well, guess what?
The Spurs also always bring Ginobili off the bench. Always.
But that changed in Game 5 when Popovich gave Manu his first start of the entire season, and Ginobili responded in studly fashion.
The bottom line is that you can’t have it both ways, Pop. With a championship on the line, you can’t get away with the excuse that you’ve done it that way all year, so why change?
More on Popovich’s coaching choices in this video with CineSport’s Noah Coslov:
seiko precision
Gregg Popovich is a genius. He is also a dedicated person to the basketball. In his coaching career his achievement is many. His achievement are 4× NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007), 5× Western Conference champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013), 3× NBA All-Star Game head coach (2005, 2011, 2013), 2× NBA Coach of the Year (2003, 2012).
You sir, Mr. Sheridan, are the idiot. You seem to have little insight about basketball. The comment above me makes a good argument against Tim being benched at the end of game 6 so I won’t further counter that. Now regarding Pop not calling a timeout with 8 seconds left is because Miami has one of the top halfcourt defenses in the league. In order to beat a great halfcourt pressure defense, your best chance is to beat them in transition. Covering basketball for 20 years, someone would think you would know that simplest of offensive plays in basketball. It is literally taught at every basketball for beginners class. Now on to your gripe with the Tony Parker move. Tony Parker has been and is the best player (debatable) the Spurs have. However, since the game 3 hammy injury, he hasn’t looked or played the part. In games 6 and 7, Parker looked like a shell of himself causing Pop to make a hard decision and go with someone else. A decision you, kind sir, wouldn’t have the balls to make. So before you go and question Pop’s so called ‘genious’, go and learn something about the game. If you need help understanding it better, feel free to contact me. I always take pleasure in reducing the amount of stupid in this world.
Im not sure he made any mistakes…….its pretty easy to second guess coaching decisions. Parker was injured….and dead tired. He didnt look very good the last two games. Same for duncan, who is 37. I mean this is insanely reductive and silly bashing of a guy with four rings.
I won’t use the term “idiot” to describe Popovich, but I’ll use it to describe you, Sheridan. It’s hindsight crapola. Duncan can’t cover the perimeter, and three-point shots typically take longer bounces from the rim off of misses. As far as talking Parker out with 23 seconds to go, what in the hell did that have to do with why they lost? At the time, they needed long-range shooting, not dribble penetration. Or dribble-penetration and then a kickout…to whom? Green was both cold and had been defended like a blanket all game. Ginobili was being Ginobili, very good and very bad. Which just leaves Leonard.
Vapid hot air opinion. Who knows, perhaps the underlying reason you expressed it is to make it all about you and to get a Bayless-like reaction. Mission accomplished.