The transition to the role of President of the Spurs, after the stroke of last November, closes the career on the bench of the man who built the longest NBA dynasty, guru of the parquet and its way unique character also off the pitch
Everyone knew that sooner or later it had to happen, especially after the stroke that stopped him in early November. But the retreat of Gregg Popovich as a coach, after 29 years on the San Antonio Spurs bench, is still a shock. Because that path began between general skepticism on December 10, 1996 was transformed into a legend, into the epic of the most winning coach in the NBA history, in the career of a point of reference beyond and on this side of the ocean, probably of the best coach that the NBA has had. In addition to winning, Pop has become a symbol, an icon, a myth that has accompanied generations of players, coaches (the other 29 deductibles have changed 303 while he remained in the saddle) and above all of fans. Gregg Popovich on the San Antonio bench was a point of reference for anyone who loved basketball. A flag that now is killing, even if his is a farewell to the bench and not to the Spurs: he will remain as president (San Antonio points on Mitch Johnson, the deputy who replaced him this season), but cannot be the same thing.