Popovich will look extremely overrated as a coach if the Spurs lose this series

[sportsfan76]

That would be 3 collapses threes years in a row

2012-OKC

2013-Game 6 in Finals

2014..OKC''


The man has not won a title in 7 years so I don't want to hear about how GREAT he is as a coach. Good coach yes, but not great because these last 3 to 4 years have not been good at all. He doesn't seem to be a game planner, just a screamer

[robert_shaww]

That would be 3 collapses threes years in a row

2012-OKC

2013-Game 6 in Finals

2014..OKC''


The man has not won a title in 7 years so I don't want to hear about how GREAT he is as a coach. Good coach yes, but not great because these last 3 to 4 years have not been good at all. He doesn't seem to be a game planner, just a screamer

Im a Spurs fan...i have watched probably every single game the last 25 years.

and im telling you, seriously, pop should retire right now....

i can talk about million games.....even tonight, i cant believe ginobili played 10min.....(10!!!!!!) in a key game (when he was the best spur in game 3)

[BuffaloBill]

Pop is the only coach in the world that could take this team to a WCF 3 years straight.

[Thunderstruck]

If the spurs lose this series it's because the thunder beat them with their length and athleticism, not because of pop.

[gts]

I think if they (Spurs) lose the series Pops will be subject to some honest criticism.

I'm a big Pops fan... but meh I don't see why he should be immune to being held accountable

[Just2McFly]

Pop is the only coach in the world that could take this team to a WCF 3 years straight.
Stop this...

there are a handful of coaches that could have done the same thing

[3peated]

doesnt have a superstar on his team. has an allstar pg, 2 old former allstar/superstars, and a bunch of role players with a potential allstar in kwahi. he's doing a lot with very little.

[SCdac]

His three best players are on the wrong side of 30, it's amazing they've come this far, but they are very deep... What do you think Pop could do with Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, and Jackson? ... It's a player's league, Pop is the first one to say it.

[Smook A.]

Im a Spurs fan...i have watched probably every single game the last 25 years.

and im telling you, seriously, pop should retire right now....

i can talk about million games.....even tonight, i cant believe ginobili played 10min.....(10!!!!!!) in a key game (when he was the best spur in game 3)
Yeah f*ckin right, dawg. Thats a lie and you know it.

[sportsfan76]

If the spurs lose this series it's because the thunder beat them with their length and athleticism, not because of pop.


So what is POP paid to do? Stand on the sidelines and watch the game like us?

[SCdac]

So what is POP paid to do? Stand on the sidelines and watch the game like us?

Are you insinuating Pop should jump on to the court and play 6th man? :lol

[Rubio2Gasol]

Pop was not himself today.

I know he likes to ride the bench, but it wasn't that. He gave up on the game way too early.

[BuffaloBill]

Stop this...

there are a handful of coaches that could have done the same thing



You can't really think that. Maybe one time, but name the coaches that you think could take this current Spurs roster to the WCF 3 consecutive years.

[sportsfan76]

Pop was not himself today.

I know he likes to ride the bench, but it wasn't that. He gave up on the game way too early.


I just don't know how many passes a coach can get. Especially after that Game 6 collapse in the Finals last year and this would be another choke job


still can't believe a coach allowed a 5 pt lead to vanish with 26 secs:facepalm

[SCdac]

Pop was not himself today.

I know he likes to ride the bench, but it wasn't that. He gave up on the game way too early.

He bitched out the refs for some non call in the first half and got a tech. That was amazing, given the Spurs can't buy a call the last 2 games, and no doubt Pop & Crew have noticed. As for pulling the starters, Pop is probably just looking to the next games. And has realized that 2 of the next 3 games are in SA, so should stay fresh and try and take advantage.

[BuffaloBill]

:biggums:

[SilkkTheShocker]

Stop this...

there are a handful of coaches that could have done the same thing
This.

[Just2McFly]

You can't really think that. Maybe one time, but name the coaches that you think could take this current Spurs roster to the WCF 3 consecutive years.
Riley
PJAX
Brown
Sloan


for starters

[BuffaloBill]

Riley
PJAX
Brown
Sloan


for starters


None of those coaches are active...


??

[Just2McFly]

None of those coaches are active...


??
But they are "in this world" ...

smh at you

[Thunderstruck]

Are you insinuating Pop should jump on to the court and play 6th man? :lol
I'm insinuating there's nothing he can do against a healthy thunder. If the spurs win this series it's because the thunder blew it.

[casual_fan]

Riley
PJAX
Brown
Sloan


for starters

All of them legends but all of them too old. Phill looked like he didn

[Spokelahoma]

i might be wrong, but the year before that they were eliminated as the #1 seed against the Grizz, and the year before that (maybe 2 years prior), they were eliminated in the 1st round against the 6th seeded mavs. if this was the kind of track record for the heat of thunder, their players/staff would of crucified, and their coaches would have been fired a while ago

[chris02jammers]

Pop is the best active coach in the NBA today

[Upgrayedd]

I agree. Especially his mistakes in game 6 last season when he benched Duncan when they needed just one more rebound.

[Upgrayedd]

Pop is the best active coach in the NBA today

Thibs?

[oh the horror]

I dunno I feel like him throwing in the towel tonight was a bit much.


"F*ck it we ain't winning this one boys let's go home"

[Upgrayedd]

I dunno I feel like him throwing in the towel tonight was a bit much.


"F*ck it we ain't winning this one boys let's go home"

Actually I don't blame him for that one. The lead was almost 30 points by that time. The starters had to come out of the game. They were getting their asses kicked.

[poido123]

Expected to perhaps lose these two games and pull the players if the lead got too out of hand...

They will be fine, i expect them to bounce back next game.

[Lebron23]

Spo might surpass him if they heat wins an NBA title this year. Nah. OKC youth, length, and athletic ability bothered the Spurs.

[Xiao Yao You]

Always thought he was overrated

[Rondo]

Some real idiots on here...

[All Net]

If the spurs lose this series it's because the thunder beat them with their length and athleticism, not because of pop.
Exactly

Just means ibaka is a difference maker.

[Chizdog]

Lettuce be real. Popovich is one of the worst coach of all time.
Trying to do a substitution against the rules in an NBA finals.
6 man on the court bullshit.
Subbing out Tim duncan that cost them the game in game 6 nba finals.
Calling out timeouts when their team in on the run to sub out hot players.

[GimmeThat]

by who, Vegas?

I have yet to seen anyone made the statement that another coach could take this team to the WCF or the Finals.

[JustinJDW]

Kind of weird how coaches/teams get criticized more for going deep in the playoffs and loosing, than just loosing. Pop can take a team to 50+ wins for like the 15th time, and make it all the way to the finals, but if he looses, it's a "collapse". People love those words and titles. However any other team loosing in say the 2nd round is just that, loosing in the 2nd round. In ISH, your reputation is better protected if you loose a series in six games to a better team in the 2nd round, then if you get swept by a better team in the Finals. That would be a "collapse". Nevermind if you're overachieving with a team with an old core and no superstar. Crazy how Allen's one shot basically changes the course of how history will be remembered. If he missed, we're talking about GOAT coach, Duncan top 5 and Lebron is 1-3 biggest finals choker ever blah blah blah. But since he made it, Pop is overrated and whatever. It's almost as if people don't actually watch the games, hmmm....

[josh99]

:wtf: This guy is one of the greatest coaches of all time. People have really short memories on this board... Seriously this guy is a legend, his team is competitive every year with much worse rosters than other teams. It's amazing how many rubbish role players come to the spurs and start playing well. Talent wise the Thunder >>> Spurs.

[East_Stone_Ya]

this is a troll thread, no need to reply

[Oly BC]

Pop was not himself today.

I know he likes to ride the bench, but it wasn't that. He gave up on the game way too early.
He didn't give up, his players gave up. There was no reason to insist on players who in every offence tried to dribble past everyone and score in front of Ibaka. The spurs bench played much better and actually fouled in the defence, they didn't wait for a fast brea to end up as a shooting attempt to foul then.

The only thing I'd change was get Ginobili in for the last 3-4 minutes as the spurs needed a big shot or two (and they did get many open looks, they just didn't have the player to make them count).

Most coaches would just stick with their starters, no matter what day they were in, no matter how tired they got. If he did that, then it was a blowout.

[Oly BC]

If the spurs lose this series it's because the thunder beat them with their length and athleticism, not because of pop.
The thunder beat them cause they were downright violent in defence. Every steal, every block, every loose ball.
Ibaka's heroics inspire the whole team and Spurs need the same mindset if they're going to win.

[NotBillWalton]

Pop does not get a pass simply because he is a great coach. Last year he took Tony Parker out of 2 games against the Heat for no reason and both times it contributed to the Spurs losing. Last night his team was down 12 points with 11 minutes left in the 4th quarter and he did not give his starters a shot to redeem themselves. This is the last hurrah. When are they expected to dig deep and gut it out if not now? Awful decision making to not go back to them. No trust, no respect. How will they respond to not getting a chance to finish the game? Is this supposed to motivate them to come out swingin swords like Shinobi, stomping grounds and pounding footprints in solid rock? Will the Spurs have it locked, performing live in San Antonio on your hottest block?

[AT9]

Lol at all of us nobodys criticizing the decision making of one of the greatest coaches in sports history.

The way the Spurs were playing, the Thunder/Westbrook were playing, and the way the refs call in OKC, I think he realized the chances of winning were not worth the downside of exhausting his old stars. The series is now best of 3 with 2 games in SA, and neither team has shown that they're capable of winning on the road.

Also, you can't pin game 6 on Pop. He had guys out there to defend the three and the ball simply bounced the Heat's way and to the right person. Had Ray missed or had the Spurs hit one more free throw down the stretch, they win. Yet because of those two factors, Pop goes from potential GOAT to super overrated? Based on the bounce of a ball? Give me a break.

[poido123]

Lol at all of us nobodys criticizing the decision making of one of the greatest coaches in sports history.

The way the Spurs were playing, the Thunder/Westbrook were playing, and the way the refs call in OKC, I think he realized the chances of winning were not worth the downside of exhausting his old stars. The series is now best of 3 with 2 games in SA, and neither team has shown that they're capable of winning on the road.

Also, you can't pin game 6 on Pop. He had guys out there to defend the three and the ball simply bounced the Heat's way and to the right person. Had Ray missed or had the Spurs hit one more free throw down the stretch, they win. Yet because of those two factors, Pop goes from potential GOAT to super overrated? Based on the bounce of a ball? Give me a break.


Very good post.

You spurs fans have a lot of good posters, I rarely see a troll or idiot amongst you :applause:

[NotBillWalton]

Lol at all of us nobodys criticizing the decision making of one of the greatest coaches in sports history.

The way the Spurs were playing, the Thunder/Westbrook were playing, and the way the refs call in OKC, I think he realized the chances of winning were not worth the downside of exhausting his old stars. The series is now best of 3 with 2 games in SA, and neither team has shown that they're capable of winning on the road.

Also, you can't pin game 6 on Pop. He had guys out there to defend the three and the ball simply bounced the Heat's way and to the right person. Had Ray missed or had the Spurs hit one more free throw down the stretch, they win. Yet because of those two factors, Pop goes from potential GOAT to super overrated? Based on the bounce of a ball? Give me a break.

I don't buy the "exhausting" the players theory. These guys are professionals that won 50+ games and had the best record in the West. Whats 3 minutes to see if they can change the tide of the game? If you are willing to really think that these guys can't play 3 more minutes because they MIGHT be winded for another game in 2 days then I don't know what else to talk about. Also, this is the same coach that took out Tony Parker last year against the Heat in the Finals for absolutely no reason.

Its not about trusting in Pop.We all know he is a good coach. This is about looking at the facts of the situation and coming to the conclusion that he screwed up, much like he screwed up last year. All the excuses in the world don't change the fact that the game was well within reach with 11 minutes to go against a team that we know panics and gives up leads quickly. 12 point lead! Spurs bench closed the gap quickly, now put your starters in to finish the job. I have never seen anything like what Pop did in a WCF game. He gave up with an entire quarter to go and the Thunder only having a 12 point lead. That is just inexcusable, regardless of who you are.

edit: And if you think he is above reproach because he is a great coach then that is exactly why he should be highly criticized for his actions. No one is bigger than the game. No coach, no player. And don't think you or anyone else is too small to question his actions.

[Jlamb47]

I don't buy the "exhausting" the players theory. These guys are professionals that won 50+ games and had the best record in the West. Whats 3 minutes to see if they can change the tide of the game? If you are willing to really think that these guys can't play 3 more minutes because they MIGHT be winded for another game in 2 days then I don't know what else to talk about. Also, this is the same coach that took out Tony Parker last year against the Heat in the Finals for absolutely no reason. Its not about trusting in Pop.We all know he is a good coach. This is about looking at the facts of the situation and coming to the conclusion that he screwed up, much like he screwed up last year. All the excuses in the world don't change the fact that the game was well within reach with 11 minutes to go against a team that we know panics and gives up leads quickly. 12 point lead! Spurs bench closed the gap quickly, now put your starters in to finish the job. I have never seen anything like what Pop did in a WCF game. He gave up with an entire quarter to go and the Thunder only having a 12 point lead. That is just inexcusable, regardless of who you are.

edit: And if you think he is above reproach because he is a great coach then that is exactly why he should be highly criticized for his actions. No one is bigger than the game. No coach, no player. And don't think you or anyone else is too small to question his actions.

Tony wasnt fully healthy

[Chrono90]

Pop is still a good coach no matter what. He's still better than most coaches. The series is 2 a piece. It can go either way.

If they lose its not totally pop s fault. Thunders have a good young core group

[Derka]

Pop was not himself today.

I know he likes to ride the bench, but it wasn't that. He gave up on the game way too early.

His starters did absolutely nothing to warrant being in the game. They played like a heap of crap topped with a pile of shit. His bench, meanwhile, cut a nearly 30-point lead to single-digits against OKC starters before running out of comeback juice.

[Haymaker]

If the spurs lose this series it's because the thunder beat them with their length and athleticism (and some serious home cooking in the third game), not because of pop. Fixed

[NotBillWalton]

His starters did absolutely nothing to warrant being in the game. They played like a heap of crap topped with a pile of shit. His bench, meanwhile, cut a nearly 30-point lead to single-digits against OKC starters before running out of comeback juice.

But you cannot resent your players for that at that moment. Many times we have seen bench players surprise everyone and go on a mini run and then we know its time to give the starters a chance to bring it on. Its the realistic thing to do. But it is like Pop (and fans) resent them for not bringing their A game the first 3 quarters. Get over it, and see if they can win a game they shouldn't have won. Championship teams do that all the time. Why should the Spurs be any different?

[JustinJDW]

I cannot stand armchair coaching. Random guys on the internet trying to say what the coach did wrong, after the fact, then say what they would have done. As if they know more about basketball and coaching than a HOF coach does. Armchair coaching.

[NotBillWalton]

I cannot stand armchair coaching. Random guys on the internet trying to say what the coach did wrong, after the fact, then say what they would have done. As if they know more about basketball and coaching than a HOF coach does. Armchair coaching.

I cannot stand people that go to message boards about basketball and expect people to not be writing messages on boards about basketball. Its like we should all be knitting quietly while the HOF coaches go out and collect the wood for the fire.

If you want to stay indoors and pine lovingly for the shadow of Coach Pop, thats on you. But to expect the rest of the board to do it shows an utter lack of understanding of just how the internet gets down.

I'll always sadly shake my head at those who are scared of being empowered by their own ability to form coherent thoughts and discuss them with like minded individuals. Perhaps a pottery class would better suit your needs, sir. Throw it down!

edit: And next time Ill make sure to criticize Pop for not playing his starters BEFORE he does it, not after. Just for you, big guy.

[Derka]

But you cannot resent your players for that at that moment. Many times we have seen bench players surprise everyone and go on a mini run and then we know its time to give the starters a chance to bring it on. Its the realistic thing to do. But it is like Pop (and fans) resent them for not bringing their A game the first 3 quarters. Get over it, and see if they can win a game they shouldn't have won. Championship teams do that all the time. Why should the Spurs be any different?

Resent has nothing to do with it. A coach knows his players better than any of us do. Some nights they've got it and some nights they don't and in last night's game he saw pretty quickly that his starters were mentally unready to play at a WCF-level. You don't go out there, suck and turn the ball over repeatedly and take bad shots...then go to the locker room, come out after the half and do the exact same things all over again...sit for a while and then suddenly have a Eureka moment and be like "K, Coach I'm ready!" Doesn't happen. In addition to that, you don't send clearly frustrated players out there and hope they just get it together because basketball reasons. You change things up and go the direction no one expects you to go and see if you can pull something out of your ass. Pop hasn't lasted as long as he has and made this franchise as good as it has been for all these years by doing what other championship teams do. You may not win tonight's fight, but a series runs seven games for a reason.

[NotBillWalton]

Resent has nothing to do with it. A coach knows his players better than any of us do. Some nights they've got it and some nights they don't and in last night's game he saw pretty quickly that his starters were mentally unready to play at a WCF-level. You don't go out there, suck and turn the ball over repeatedly and take bad shots...then go to the locker room, come out after the half and do the exact same things all over again...sit for a while and then suddenly have a Eureka moment and be like "K, Coach I'm ready!" Doesn't happen. In addition to that, you don't send clearly frustrated players out there and hope they just get it together because basketball reasons. You change things up and go the direction no one expects you to go and see if you can pull something out of your ass. Pop hasn't lasted as long as he has and made this franchise as good as it has been for all these years by doing what other championship teams do. You may not win tonight's fight, but a series runs seven games for a reason.

How many times have we seen a team playing badly all game gut out an ugly win? Spurs have had it done to them more times than they have done it to other teams.

What am I knocking Pop for? Its not for being my favorite coach, which he is. Better than Phil. Its because he should know better in this specific situation. Our favorites make mistakes too. Its okay to call them out for them and not make excuses. I wonder if Pop had been called out for his mistakes in benching Parker last year if he would have done what he did last night.

Put it like this. I love that George Lucas gave us Star Wars. Can't thank him enough. But we all know he wasn't the same person years later who gave us Jar Jar and the prequels. Too much power for one man often leads to bad decision making.

Spurs fans should pray this does not come back to bite them.

[pegasus]

He is the greatest coach ever in my opinion. His opponent has the two best players in the series. Not an easy task.

[red1]

He is the greatest coach ever in my opinion. His opponent has the two best players in the series. Not an easy task.
this is true

[hiphopfan777]

Eric Spolestra betyer than overrated pop. 4 straight finals, 27 gake winning streak. Spolestra never choked a 3-2 lead with 26 seconds left. Heat made secord for least freethrow attempts in finals amd spolestra still leas his team to victpry

[Droid101]

Eric Spolestra betyer than overrated pop. 4 straight finals, 27 gake winning streak. Spolestra never choked a 3-2 lead with 26 seconds left. Heat made secord for least freethrow attempts in finals amd spolestra still leas his team to victpry
Spell & Grammar just had a seizure.

[SCdac]

How many times have we seen a team playing badly all game gut out an ugly win? Spurs have had it done to them more times than they have done it to other teams.

What am I knocking Pop for? Its not for being my favorite coach, which he is. Better than Phil. Its because he should know better in this specific situation. Our favorites make mistakes too. Its okay to call them out for them and not make excuses. I wonder if Pop had been called out for his mistakes in benching Parker last year if he would have done what he did last night.

Put it like this. I love that George Lucas gave us Star Wars. Can't thank him enough. But we all know he wasn't the same person years later who gave us Jar Jar and the prequels. Too much power for one man often leads to bad decision making.

Spurs fans should pray this does not come back to bite them.

It already has. That's the thing. Pop has been making mistakes his whole career (like every human). For intance, refusing to give rookies and noobs a chance (Tiago Splitter not being given a chance in the playoffs till it was too late, 2011). Nobody is untouchable from criticism, and that's coming from a life long Spurs fan.

In 2006 Pop in the second round against the Mavs totally switched up the 63-win team lineup that he'd been going will all season (and in the first round against Sacramento), which featured Rasho Nesterovich and Nazr Mohammed as shot blocking centers next to Tim. His lineups (SG/SF Finley at PF at times) fell right into the hands of the Mavs who were coached by a guy who basically had the entire Spurs playbook (Avery Johnson). Close series but SA made alot of mistakes.

It's just one example. But, yeah, of course Pop & crew have made mistakes before. Ones that were isolated, ones that were persistent, etc. As you say, it's just a part of the greatness. Pop is definitely one of the greatest of all time, and the pros of his coaching by far outweigh the cons.

Go to www.spurstalk.com and you will see plenty of criticism for each and every player, and Pop. on ISH Spurs have never really been a 'popular' topic whether its for or against

[rhythmic]

Because the roster he has should win 60+ games and even be in the WCF. :rolleyes:

This team would have trouble winning 45 games with 95% of other coaches in this league.

[AT9]

I don't buy the "exhausting" the players theory. These guys are professionals that won 50+ games and had the best record in the West. Whats 3 minutes to see if they can change the tide of the game? If you are willing to really think that these guys can't play 3 more minutes because they MIGHT be winded for another game in 2 days then I don't know what else to talk about. Also, this is the same coach that took out Tony Parker last year against the Heat in the Finals for absolutely no reason.

Its not about trusting in Pop.We all know he is a good coach. This is about looking at the facts of the situation and coming to the conclusion that he screwed up, much like he screwed up last year. All the excuses in the world don't change the fact that the game was well within reach with 11 minutes to go against a team that we know panics and gives up leads quickly. 12 point lead! Spurs bench closed the gap quickly, now put your starters in to finish the job. I have never seen anything like what Pop did in a WCF game. He gave up with an entire quarter to go and the Thunder only having a 12 point lead. That is just inexcusable, regardless of who you are.

edit: And if you think he is above reproach because he is a great coach then that is exactly why he should be highly criticized for his actions. No one is bigger than the game. No coach, no player. And don't think you or anyone else is too small to question his actions.

I'm not saying he's above criticism, just that some of the bashing is so reactionary. Hindsight is 20/20, and many people seem to be thinking that Pop is some highly overrated coach based on decisions that are easy to make in hindsight but not so clear in the moment.

I think people like Pop and Duncan get "passes" for two reasons:

1. They're already proven. They'd have to massively f**k up to ruin their reputation.

2. Expectations. They're not criticized as heavily for the same reason no one criticizes the Cindrealla team for losing in the Elite Eight or something: they're not supposed to be there in the first place! It's hard to criticize someone for exceeding expectations. People like Lebro , KD, etc get hammered because people expect them to win championships and be heros. Any "collapse" by the Spurs is overshadowed by the fact that they were in that position to begin with.

[Relinquish]

Thibs?

Not even close.

[Big#50]

Im a Spurs fan...i have watched probably every single game the last 25 years.

and im telling you, seriously, pop should retire right now....

i can talk about million games.....even tonight, i cant believe ginobili played 10min.....(10!!!!!!) in a key game (when he was the best spur in game 3)
LoL this guy. Saving him for game 5. Manu will be unleashed.

[Meticode]

Im a Spurs fan...i have watched probably every single game the last 25 years.

and im telling you, seriously, pop should retire right now....

i can talk about million games.....even tonight, i cant believe ginobili played 10min.....(10!!!!!!) in a key game (when he was the best spur in game 3)
Good thing he didn't retire Spurs up 3-1 going back home in the Finals. :roll:

[sportsfan76]

Good thing he didn't retire Spurs up 3-1 going back home in the Finals. :roll:


you sound like a happy homo

[Mr Feeny]

Im a Spurs fan...i have watched probably every single game the last 25 years.

and im telling you, seriously, pop should retire right now....

i can talk about million games.....even tonight, i cant believe ginobili played 10min.....(10!!!!!!) in a key game (when he was the best spur in game 3)

You, Sir, are a great poster.

[The Repo Man]

you sound like a happy homo

Yet you sound like a fed up f@ggot. Step your alliteration game up.