Gregg Popovich is the current President of the San Antonio Spurs and the former head coach of the team. He coached the Spurs for 29 seasons, leading them to five NBA championships and 22 consecutive playoff seasons, with three NBA Coach of the Year Awards. In 2023, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
On Friday, May 2, the Spurs announced that Popovich would step down as coach and transition to being the team’s President of Basketball Operations. As a coach, Popovich was skilled at drafting players who brought the team success, became stars in the NBA, and raised the Spurs’ market value.
Top 5 Franchise-Altering NBA Draft Picks By Greg Popovich
Tim Duncan
Duncan was the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft and proved worthy of being No. 1. He was a five-time NBA champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, and two-time NBA MVP. Duncan also contributed significantly to the team’s championship runs.
Manu Ginobili
Drafted 57th overall, Ginóbili defied expectations with his performance under Popovich. He was a four-time NBA champion, two-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-NBA Third Team member, and a two-time Italian Cup winner.
In April 2022, he was announced as a first-ballot inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. As a longtime Spur and a shooting guard, his scoring, playmaking, and phenomenal three-point shooting made him a key player.
Tony Parker
Selected 28th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft, Parker complemented Ginóbili with his scoring prowess. He added significant value to the team and earned numerous honors. Aside from being a six-time All-Star and four-time NBA Champion, he played a crucial role in leading the team to its championship victories.
Alongside Duncan and Ginóbili, his leadership helped develop younger players.
Kahwi Leonard
Leonard was the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. In addition to being a two-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP, six-time NBA All-Star, among other accolades, Leonard led the team to an NBA championship in 2014. He was a small forward known for his elite defense, winning NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice.
Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama, a French basketball player, was selected first overall by the Spurs in the 2023 NBA Draft. Currently playing as a center, he has emerged as a key player for the Spurs, recently earning an NBA All-Star selection.
His 7’4” height and versatility have made him stand out. His defensive skills, as a 20-year-old, have brought remarkable recognition to the Spurs.
KEEP READING: Why College Basketball Players Keep Transfer Options Open After Declaring for the NBA Draft
Having led the team to several victories and developed the best basketball players and stars in the world, Greg Popovich is sure to make a greater impact within the team as an executive of the San Antonio Spurs team.
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