Gregg Popovich is stepping away from coaching, and the NBA world shared its thoughts about the legendary head coach.
Aside from the occasional troll in the comment section on social media referencing Gregg Popovich's outspoken political views, it's hard to find an instance of anyone saying anything bad about him.
His players, including those he asked to do less than they were capable of, like Manu Ginobili, have nothing but admiration for him, and he has long made it clear that he cares about his players as people, not as athletes.
When he announced his retirement after 29 years of coaching the San Antonio Spurs, the basketball world gave him the respect he had long given them.
Several current head coaches, like Will Hardy, Quin Snyder, Ime Udoka, Steve Kerr, Jacque Vaughn, and several assistant coaches, either played for or coached under Pop on the Spurs.
On Thursday, the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets sent a clear message to Pop: he will be missed.
Draymond Green, who rarely has anything nice to say about anyone, won a gold medal in Tokyo with the USA national team, which Popovich was the head coach.
"He's one of the most incredible human beings," said Green. "It just appears as if he's like this mean old man, and he is the complete opposite. Like the complete opposite. The nicest person you ever want to be around, he cares about people so much, and I was lucky enough and honored to have the opportunity to spend a summer with him and play for him."
DeMar DeRozan had Popovich write the forward to his book, "Above the Noise," and even Kawhi Leonard, who ended his tenure on a rocky note with the Spurs, seems happy to see his former coach.
While his appearances at the Frost Bank Center next season might be limited, expect both opponents and fans to greet him with thunderous applause.
