NBA News: Chris Paul reveals Gregg Popovich’s top support during his move to the Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs is going through a rebuilding phase, with a roster packed with promising young talent and great potential for stardom. However, the team is still finding its footing NBA. In this context, Chris Paul joined Spurs this season and brought his wealth of experience to lift the team’s performance. Recently, he shared a key conversation with the head coach Gregg Popovich which set the tone for his arrival to the franchise.

“When I signed and foand out of the fact that I was on my way to San Antonio, I talked to Pop,” Paul shared during an interview on Dinners with DeMara podcast hosted by Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan. “He said, ‘You let me know if you need to go to your family, if you need to do this, if you need to do that.’“

Paul highlighted Popovich’s people-centered coaching philosophy and emphasized how much he valued it. “That was one of the first things he asked me,” Paul said, emphasizing the value of such an approach. “You just appreciate it because it’s a lot lonelier than people realize.”

It’s no surprise that the veteran point guard puts a lot of weight on Popovich’s stance given Paul’s own personal priorities. In a previous conversation with Tony Parker on Spurs’ official YouTube channel, Paul revealed that one of the challenges he faced during his stay with the Golden State Warriors last season was being away from his family.

“If I have to sacrifice my family and be away from them, at least I have to play,” Paul said at the time, making it clear that while his basketball career is important, staying connected with his family is important to maintaining balance and purpose in his life.

Chris Paul #3 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during a 113-104 LA Clippers win at the Intuit Dome on November 4, 2024 in Inglewood, California.

Popovich’s approach to coaching

With almost 30 years at the helm San Antonio SpursGregg Popovich has accumulated a wealth of experience and honed the wisdom necessary to make well-rounded decisions. A cornerstone of his philosophy is balancing the human and sporting aspects of coaching, a method he has used repeatedly to get the best performance out of his players.

In the same conversation with Chris Paul, DeMar DeRozan shared his own experience with Popovich during his time with the Spurs from 2018 to 2021. “When I was in San Antonio, my dad was really sick. He was in and out of the hospital, and I missed my kids, not having my kids,” DeRozan remembered.

“Pop knew it, he was aware of it. So there were times when we were playing away… and we had the next two days off before the game and Pop would say to me, ‘Go home, go home, I’ll see you at the shoot before the next game. DeRozan shared, emphasizing the significant impact Popovich’s understanding and compassionate approach had on his players’ well-being.

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The Popovich Method: A Blueprint for Success

Popovich‘s methodology – attending to the personal needs of its players while demanding excellence on the field – has proven to be a formula for sustained success. During his 28 years as the Spurs’ head coach, Popovich has guided the franchise to all five NBA championships, cementing his legacy as one of the league’s greatest leaders.

Beginning with the Spurs’ first championship in 1999 and continuing with titles in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014, Pop demonstrated an unparalleled ability to lead various teams to greatness. His approach fostered a harmonious environment where stars such as Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Steve Kerr, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili thrived, both on and off the pitch. This balance between performance and personal connection is what has made his method a benchmark for coaching excellence.