It is a foregone conclusion that soon enough Greg Popovich will no longer coach the San Antonio Spurs and for an obvious reason - the 71-year-old deserves his sweet retirement after more than two decades of working wonders in Alamo City. But will the Pop consider coaching a new team again?
A vacancy exists in Brooklyn Nets, and while reports are saying that while the team has already shortlisted Jacque Vaughn and Tyrone Lue, getting Popovich in serious consideration is not a remote possibility at all. For one, Popovich is a proven winner.
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, bringing the champion coach to Brooklyn is perfect for the Nets. The team saw an overhaul in the past years, and the roster now includes Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. The organization is geared for a title run next season, and Popovich seemed the right man to do the job.
But why the Pop would even bother to take on something he has already accomplished? It seemed more prudent for him to opt for retirement after San Antonio and enjoy the fruit of his labor.
Bondy, however, is convinced that handling the Nets next could prove too tempting for Popovich.
"The Nets offer a unique challenge and championship opportunity for a coach in his career's twilight," the NBA analyst wrote.
He added that the Nets could surely make an offer that Popovich will not reject. The team has the resources and can afford the old man's salary.
And the immediate impact on the Brooklyn roster has to be immense. The Nets have two big stars in Irving and KD, and the Pop coming in will deliver the leadership that the two will be looking for a coach. Popovich has the gravitas and the capabilities that will command respect from the Nets superstar, Bondy said.
Still, it seemed hard to imagine that Popovich will one day play coach outside of San Antonio. So far, the Pop has shown no sign of wanting to leave the franchise, and it appeared the same for the Spurs. And even in such a case, coaching looked to be the last thing on his mind post his Texas days.
The Nets Daily said there is a slim chance that the Pop will take up an offer coming from Brooklyn. He might consider because Sean Marks is there, and Marks previously served under Popovich. And it's hard to deny that living around New York and being treated a VIP there is hard to resist.
However, the report said Popovich coaching the Nets is, at best, a stretch. The Pop is more likely to remain in San Antonio and live a semi-retired life by acting out on a small role in the franchise. Inviting as the Nets offer might be, the reality is for Popovich, the lure of coaching is no longer that strong.
