Spurs sign Ettore Messina as assistant coach

[SpursFan86]

489157022836080640

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[BatManu20]

Lovely :tu. Coach of the future after learning under Pop for a while perhaps.

[slick'81]

Oh shit spurs have big plans for marks

everyone is high on this Messina guy must big a big move for spurs

[313]

So is the guy who forgot Kawhi on the bench gone?

[RD2191]

Waiting on tspence to confirm.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Nice! I don't know anything about him but his record looks great.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Yes! Great news

[benefactor]

Awesome. Hang out under Pop for a few seasons then take over. Future is bright.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Big deal for the Spurs' coaching staff. Great news! :tu

Taking the whole "most international team" thing to a new level..

[xmas1997]

Finally!
The heir apparent.

[TheGoldStandard]

Off season steal

[spurraider21]

I wonder if he has his own shitty Ayres he's gna drag along like Boylen

[Ron Swanson]

Waiting on tspence to confirm.

:lol tspence is now a ST meme.

Glad to see Messina on board.

[eDizzle20]

What a great offseason :toast...

1. Draft a perfect Spurs' system player in Kyle Anderson
2. Re-sign Mills at a great rate due to shoulder injury
3. Re-sign Diaw to a reasonable contract
4. Add one of the best international coaches as an assistant to the coaching staff...

Doesn't get much better than that.

[eDizzle20]

Check out his career coaching record in the Euro League courtesy of 'euroleague.net'...

CAREER RECORD







Coaching Record


Domestic Leagues


Euroleague-Eurocup




Season

Team

Regular Season


Playoffs


Season




1989-90

Virtus Bologna (Italy)

19-11


63.3%


3-2


60.0%








1990-91

Virtus Bologna (Italy)

19-11


63.3%


3-3


50%






1991-92

Virtus Bologna (Italy)

21-9


70.0%


3-3


50%






1992-93

Virtus Bologna (Italy)

24-6


80.0%


7-0


100%






1997-98

Virtus Bologna (Italy)

23-3


91.1%


9-4


69.2%






1998-99

Virtus Bologna (Italy)

20-6


76.9%


4-3


57.1%






1999-00

Virtus Bologna (Italy)

21-9


70.0%


3-5


37.5%






2000-01

Virtus Bologna (Italy - Euroleague)

29-5


85.3%


9-0


100%


20-3


87.0%




2001-02

Virtus Bologna (Italy - Euroleague)

28-8


77.8%


4-3


57.1%


17-5


77.3%




2002-03

Benetton (Italy - Euroleague)

30-4


88.2%


9-4


69.2%


18-4


81.8%




2003-04

Benetton (Italy - Euroleague)

25-9


73.5%


3-3


50.0%


14-6


70.0%




2004-05

Benetton (Italy - Euroleague)

28-6


82.3%


5-3


62.5%


12-10


54.5%




2005-06

CSKA Moscow (Russia - Euroleague)

22-2


91.7%


9-1


90.0%


19-5


72.2%




2006-07

CSKA Moscow (Russia - Euroleague)

21-3


87-5%


9-1


90.0%


22-3


88.0%




2007-08

CSKA Moscow (Russia - Euroleague)

23-1


95.8%


8-0


100%


20-5


80.0%




2008-09

CSKA Moscow (Russia - Euroleague)

22-0


100%


8-1


88.9%


16-5


76.2%




2009-10

Real Madrid (Spain - Euroleague)

27-7


79.4%


3-4


42.9%


12-8


60.0%




2010-11

Real Madrid (Spain - Euroleague)

17-5


77.3%




11-5


68.8%




2012-13

CSKA (Russia - Euroleague)

16-2


88.9%






21-5


80.8%




2012/13

CSKA (VTB)

15-3


83.3%


9-4


69.2%








2013-14

CSKA (VTB - Euroleague)

16-2


88.9%


9-2


81.8


22-9


71.0%

[Trainwreck2100]

What a great offseason :toast...

1. Draft a perfect Spurs' system player in Kyle Anderson
2. Re-sign Mills at a great rate due to shoulder injury
3. Re-sign Diaw to a reasonable contract
4. Add one of the best international coaches as an assistant to the coaching staff...

Doesn't get much better than that.

Ten words bro "jeff Ayres has been trade for a bag of skittles"

[loveforthegame]

:tu

Impressive addition.

[manufan10]

Waiting on tspence to confirm.

:lol

Great move. Glad it came to fruition.

[MmP]

So the news before the finals that he was gonna be brought over was actually true.

[Budkin]

Fucking awesome!

[Steve-O-Matic]

Ginobili is on record saying that he owes his development into an NBA-caliber player to Messina when Messina was Manu's coach prior to Manu's NBA days.

[Prime Time]

Awesome news. Though, I'm not sure how much assistant coaching really factors anymore.. not since the Spurs went further with Boylen&Marks than they did with Bud&Brown. But adding more knowledge is never a bad thing.

Wonder how long he'll stick around.. doubt a coach with his rep will still be here by the time Pop's contract is expired.

[baseline bum]

Ginobili is on record saying that he owes his development into an NBA-caliber player to Messina when Messina was Manu's coach prior to Manu's NBA days.

Wow, I knew Messina is an awesome coach, but didn't know that. Incredible offseason so far.

[ironman2886]

About time. Hope he stays for awhile. He can be the future for this team.

[Mel_13]

From the official press release:

"I am honored to have such an accomplished individual join our program,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said. “Coach Messina is an exceptional coach, a great leader and someone we can all learn from."

http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/140715_spurs_announce_etorre_messina_assistant

[manufan10]

Pop had this to say about him last season:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsnjtA5CQAAzBJw.png:large

[TheGoldStandard]

This guy will have more of an impact than Boylen did last year and I figure when Pop gets ejected from a game which he will typically do once or twice this guy will be driving the boat.

[SpurPadre]

What a great offseason :toast...

1. Draft a perfect Spurs' system player in Kyle Anderson
2. Re-sign Mills at a great rate due to shoulder injury
3. Re-sign Diaw to a reasonable contract
4. Add one of the best international coaches as an assistant to the coaching staff...

Doesn't get much better than that.

Well, it gets dragged down by missing out on Pau, bringing back ginger, and most importantly finding out Mills is out until at least late February. I just want that elusive repeat the team deserves but have to point out the negatives, too.
Having said that, getting Messina is an AWESOME move.

[SpurPadre]

This guy will have more of an impact than Boylen did last year and I figure when Pop gets ejected from a game which he will typically do once or twice this guy will be driving the boat.

And unlike Boylen, he WILL recognize who his players are.

[TheGoldStandard]

Well, it gets dragged down by missing out on Pau, bringing back ginger, and most importantly finding out Mills is out until at least late February. I just want that elusive repeat the team deserves but have to point out the negatives, too.

Still plenty of time for Spurs to make a few tweaks and I think they will wait till Summer League wraps up before they start to gauge what is out there. There are still a few guys that are available in Free Agency that could be added if the Spurs cut Ayres or move Daye or don't put KA in a roster spot or if Baynes doesn't sign.

We might see a breakout year from someone on our roster, Green still has not hit his ceiling and showed signs of an inside game during the Finals, Kawhi will be better and probably stronger this season, a healthy Tony, etc... Still so much more time to figure out what we will do to make sure we have another deep run. I'm still all for an Aminu signing or Marion who will give us that backup 3/ small ball 4 off the bench with defense.

[TheGoldStandard]

And unlike Boylen, he WILL recognize who his players are.

This is a very underrated signing, he will help tweak and improve the things that we are already good at and his relationship with international players will also improve some of those euro designs we have seen from the Spurs.

[benefactor]

Awesome news. Though, I'm not sure how much assistant coaching really factors anymore.. not since the Spurs went further with Boylen&Marks than they did with Bud&Brown. But adding more knowledge is never a bad thing.

Wonder how long he'll stick around.. doubt a coach with his rep will still be here by the time Pop's contract is expired.
He's in SA to be the next head coach when Pop retires. I'd almost bet a rather large sum of money on it.

[manufan10]

489181081107988480

[Dex]

Great news. Hard to believe that the bench with the best coach in pro sports could get that much better but...it just did.

Look forward to seeing what Messina can bring.

[littlecoyotecoin]

Awesome news. Though, I'm not sure how much assistant coaching really factors anymore.. not since the Spurs went further with Boylen&Marks than they did with Bud&Brown. But adding more knowledge is never a bad thing.

Wonder how long he'll stick around.. doubt a coach with his rep will still be here by the time Pop's contract is expired.

It may be like with Dallas and Barry Switzer. The culture and talent were already in place for so long, momentum propelled them even after the talent drain in the coaching/assistant coaching spots. And, of course, the head coach was still present.

[jARS mEsH sEt]

This guy will have more of an impact than Boylen did last year and I figure when Pop gets ejected from a game which he will typically do once or twice this guy will be driving the boat.

I can't wait. I'll actually be rooting for a Pop ejection just to see that happen. I'd love to see this guy take the reigns, but more importantly I can't wait to see how he tweaks our offense.

[Mel_13]

489181081107988480

Belinelli was a 16 year old kid on that same team.

[manufan10]

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[SupremeGuy]

Nice, I was starting to wonder just how long it was going to take to sign him.

[Ocotillo]

Anyone think Bellinelli will show some improvement next year?

[xmas1997]

Anyone think Bellinelli will show some improvement next year?

Without a doubt.

[ElNono]

good pickup :tu

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I don't think anyone will need Pop to get tossed to see his impact. If he justifies his reputation, you'll see it with our offense on day 1. If Pop hands over control, and he lives up to his billing, the offense will be even more fun to watch.

[Twisted_Dawg]

His insights to the Euro players will be priceless.

[TSpence26]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/487484764224372736/uxiNGoXf_bigger.jpeg T-Spence ‏@tspence26 (https://twitter.com/tspence26)

Ettore Messina will be hired by the Spurs as an assistant coach.



Reply (https://twitter.com/tspence26/status/489167936523747329#)
Delete (https://twitter.com/tspence26/status/489167936523747329#)
Favorite (https://twitter.com/tspence26/status/489167936523747329#)

[TSpence26]

I reported it before Woj, just saying...

[Solid D]

Major props to the Spurs to bring in such a fine basketball mind and leader!!!!!

If Ettore's impact isn't as strong as anticipated, Pop at least gets an Italian wine-tasting connoisseur from which he can seek counsel.

[benefactor]

I reported it before Woj, just saying...
...and overseas sources reported it before you.

[Marcus Bryant]

Sometimes, Pop needs someone to call him on his bullshit.

[Aztecfan03]

I reported it before Woj, just saying...

fucking liar. you did not according to the times on twitter.

[benefactor]

fucking liar. you did not according to the times on twitter.
Seems to be a recurring theme.

[Ron Swanson]

fucking liar. you did not according to the times on twitter.

:lol

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[Money316]

He's in SA to be the next head coach when Pop retires. I'd almost bet a rather large sum of money on it.
Book it Clyde

[TSpence26]

I reported it before some of the ESPN guys

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Very nice. I guess Messina is willing to take a backseat for 2-3 years given that Pop just signed a "multi-year extension"?

[benefactor]

:lol

489167936523747329

489157022836080640
:lol

[Aztecfan03]

I reported it before some of the ESPN guys

stop moving the goalposts :troll

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Very nice. I guess Messina is willing to take a backseat for 2-3 years given that Pop just signed a "multi-year extension"?

Some team might offer him a HC job in that time. Either way, he will learn the Spurs system and the Spurs can bring him or Bud back to coach the team when the time comes.

[ironman2886]

Some desperate team will call him up after this season. Guaranteed.

[BackHome]

Just do what Dallas did when they gave that big contract to that stupid assistant coach of the cowboys who is the head coach now.

[manufan10]

I reported it before some of the ESPN guys

That's not reporting. You're just relaying what others have actually reported.

:lol Pau Gasol

[exstatic]

Still plenty of time for Spurs to make a few tweaks and I think they will wait till Summer League wraps up before they start to gauge what is out there. There are still a few guys that are available in Free Agency that could be added if the Spurs cut Ayres or move Daye or don't put KA in a roster spot or if Baynes doesn't sign.

We might see a breakout year from someone on our roster, Green still has not hit his ceiling and showed signs of an inside game during the Finals, Kawhi will be better and probably stronger this season, a healthy Tony, etc... Still so much more time to figure out what we will do to make sure we have another deep run. I'm still all for an Aminu signing or Marion who will give us that backup 3/ small ball 4 off the bench with defense.

Kyle has signed an NBA contract and is embedded on the 15 man NBA roster for at least the next two years.

[ploto]

489178274665623552
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“There are only two European coaches able to coach in the NBA,” said Nesterovic. “One is Ettore Messina, and the other is Zemilir Obradovic. The others are all good, but they don’t have the charisma, the character, the determination, and the knowledge of basketball that they do.” --03/22/2009

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

“There are only two European coaches able to coach in the NBA,” said Nesterovic. “One is Ettore Messina, and the other is Zemilir Obradovic. The others are all good, but they don’t have the charisma, the character, the determination, and the knowledge of basketball that they do.” --03/22/2009

I think Blatt has establish himself as the 3rd by now.

[Seventyniner]

I think Blatt has establish himself as the 3rd by now.

We'll certainly see. He just might flame out...there are huge expectations placed on him. Basically the opposite of Messina's situation.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Are there any details on the length of Messina's contract?


Some team might offer him a HC job in that time. Either way, he will learn the Spurs system and the Spurs can bring him or Bud back to coach the team when the time comes.

This is not usually the way things work.

This move suggests that Pop will coach for 2-3 seasons while teaching Messina the system, then hand things over. Who knows? If they win it again next year, maybe Pop, Tim and Manu ride off into the sunset... that wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Dex]

Are there any details on the length of Messina's contract?



This is not usually the way things work.

This move suggests that Pop will coach for 2-3 seasons while teaching Messina the system, then hand things over. Who knows? If they win it again next year, maybe Pop, Tim and Manu ride off into the sunset... that wouldn't surprise me at all.

Pop signed a 5-year extension. I seriously don't think he is going to ditch on his last 4 years. I could see him dropping out a season or two early, but Pop is too in tune with the front office and organization to sign a deal for five years and then bail on it.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Pop signed a 5-year extension. I seriously don't think he is going to ditch on his last 4 years. I could see him dropping out a season or two early, but Pop is too in tune with the front office and organization to sign a deal for five years and then bail on it.

5 years, wow. I guess retiring with Tim is not an option any more then... I was assuming that was still in play.

I guess Pop has looked around the NBA, then taken another look at his own hand, and decided he might just win a few more titles, even if Timmy and Manu retire. Or, he knows he can walk any time because the Spurs would let him. The waters are certainly muddier now than before he signed that extension.

[BackHome]

He could sign a 20 year contract as soon as he wants to leave they will let him leave contract or no contract. It's Pop he probably created it and signed all the signatures..lol

[honestfool84]

549-112. That's impressive.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Are there any details on the length of Messina's contract?



This is not usually the way things work.

This move suggests that Pop will coach for 2-3 seasons while teaching Messina the system, then hand things over. Who knows? If they win it again next year, maybe Pop, Tim and Manu ride off into the sunset... that wouldn't surprise me at all.

He just signed at least a 3 year ext, so he is under contract for 4 more years more than likely. I see Coaching at least 3 more years. If Messina stays that long, that would be great. But don't be surprise if Pop stays if the Spurs win again and some franchise comes calling for Messina?

I can see both Duncan and Manu playing for at least 2 more years as well.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

He just signed at least a 3 year ext, so he is under contract for 4 more years more than likely. I see Coaching at least 3 more years. If Messina stays that long, that would be great. But don't be surprise if Pop stays if the Spurs win again and some franchise comes calling for Messina?

I can see both Duncan and Manu playing for at least 2 more years as well.

If the Spurs repeat, I think Tim and Manu retire. What Pop then decides to do is anyone's guess.

[tmtcsc]

You folks realize we have the best coach in the world right? Nice help I guess.

[RD2191]

You're so full of crap. Just stop with this schtick. It has gotten old, fast.

489157022836080640


489167936523747329
He's a troll. Obviously. You're not very bright, are you?

[DesignatedT]

I think Blatt has establish himself as the 3rd by now.

Well Blatt is an American (from Boston, went to Princeton) who coached in Europe.

[honestfool84]

Lol. It's annoying.

[RD2191]

I understand. After the Gasol debacle though I don't know how anyone can take him seriously.

[Dex]

:lol

489167936523747329

489157022836080640


You're so full of crap. Just stop with this schtick. It has gotten old, fast.

489157022836080640


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honestfool84 just TSpence26'd Ron Swanson.

[Ron Swanson]

honestfool84 just TSpence26'd Ron Swanson.

:lol I'm breaking pointless scoop for ST. Just tweeted Woj and asked him to follow me.

[manufan10]

honestfool84 just TSpence26'd Ron Swanson.


:lol I'm breaking pointless scoop for ST. Just tweeted Woj and asked him to follow me.

:lol

[capek]

Pop signed a 5-year extension. I seriously don't think he is going to ditch on his last 4 years. I could see him dropping out a season or two early, but Pop is too in tune with the front office and organization to sign a deal for five years and then bail on it.

Definitely. To me, this is a mutually beneficial situation for all parties involved, that doesn't necessarily indicate any future move by any party involved. Messina gets to come over to the NBA, network, meet decision makers, and put himself directly in the pool of potential NBA head coaches, all while working in the best organization in professional sports. And the Spurs get a very qualified, talented, and accomplished basketball mind on their staff. An exceptional situation for both parties.

Personally, I think Pop coaches until the wheels fall off. Outside of some weird, unfortunate, and long term family situation arising, I think what will determine Pop's retirement is his own personal health, and ancillary considerations like what other coaches are around will have little or anything to do with it. Have we already forgotten how much confident speculation there was that Pop was grooming Bud specifically to be his replacement? Most likely, Messina will be on the bench for a season or two before he's hired somewhere else as a head coach. And grows, Pop's coaching network.

[honestfool84]

honestfool84 just TSpence26'd Ron Swanson.


:lol

I feel ashamed now.

[bigfan]

I can see pop moving back upstairs in a couple of years, don't know much about messina but he sounds good.

[ducks]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA · 6h

Marks moved down to the bench to help Gregg Popovich this season, but plan was always to return upstairs. Spurs have big plans for Marks.



[Chinook]

I don't think Messina is Pop's heir apparent. That's probably Udoka. Messina will probably be hired away in a year or two. No one's going to Leno Pop.

[ducks]

is sean marks rc replacement? down the road

[ducks]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24622421/spurs-hire-ettore-messina-as-assistant-coach

[-21-]

I don't think Messina is Pop's heir apparent. That's probably Udoka. Messina will probably be hired away in a year or two. No one's going to Leno Pop.
Is Udoka a good coach? BTW, I wonder what "big plans" mean for Sean Marks.

[ducks]

http://www.euroleague.net/history/50-years/the-archive/i/26240/1609/50-greatest-contributors-list-ettore-messina

[ducks]

http://www.euroleague.net/history/50-years/the-archive/i/26240/1609/50-greatest-contributors-list-ettore-messina

http://projectspurs.com/2014-articles/ettore-messina-officially-joins-spurs-coaching-staff.html

[Chinook]

Is Udoka a good coach? BTW, I wonder what "big plans" mean for Sean Marks.

Not nearly as good as Messina, which is why he'll still be around in five years. Supposedly, he has a lot of potential, though. He's pretty much the wings coach on the team, and you can't argue with those results.

[ducks]

Not nearly as good as Messina, which is why he'll still be around in five years. Supposedly, he has a lot of potential, though. He's pretty much the wings coach on the team, and you can't argue with those results.WHO IS A BETTER COACH THEN Messina IS AN ASSISTANT COACH IN NBA

[LittleCriminal]

WHO IS THAT IS AN ASSISTANT COACH IN NBA

http://i1.memy.pl/obrazki/382d351088_do_you_speak_english.jpg

[KawhiLeonard]

We just signed onE of the best coaches in the world folks spurs are going to repeat barring injury. Only team that posses a legitimate threat is okc

[Vic Petro]

Training Marks to take over as the coyote tbh

[Baam]

Training Marks to take over as the coyote tbh

:lmao

but yeah not sure what "big plans" can mean in that situation...

[Malik Hairston]

Training Marks to take over as the coyote tbh

:lol..

[spurs1990]

Not to hijack the thread but per the internet Pop makes less than Rivers and Van Gundy.

I mean among those 3 coaches they share 6 championships but I'm surprised Pop hasn't received a bump in salary.

[TheGoldStandard]

Not to hijack the thread but per the internet Pop makes less than Rivers and Van Gundy.

I mean among those 3 coaches they share 6 championships but I'm surprised Pop hasn't received a bump in salary.

I doubt he cares about that, as long as it's a fair amount he loves what he does.

[Ron Swanson]

Marks is taking over the Spurs Twitter account. Sorry, tspence.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Not to hijack the thread but per the internet Pop makes less than Rivers and Van Gundy.

I mean among those 3 coaches they share 6 championships but I'm surprised Pop hasn't received a bump in salary.

Pop keeps his salary low for the sake of the franchise, tbh...

[SupremeGuy]

Training Marks to take over as the coyote tbhDamn. :lol

[SupremeGuy]

Pop keeps his salary low for the sake of the franchise, tbh...Says who? I don't feel like looking it up, but does anyone even know how much he makes? Pop doesn't seem like the type of person who would want stuff like that known to the public, tbh.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Messina won't wait for 4 or 5 years to take over the reins, he's practically good enough to coach right now and is perhaps better than at least 25 or the current NBA coaches. Dude's probably doing it for the experience and anticipating a coaching gig next season, Pop's just helping. It's a bit like signing Kawhi to back-up LeBron for 10 mins a game - it won't last long, both are too good. Also, it's funny how Pop sounds almost as if he'd be the assistant and learn from Messina :lol

[Chinook]

Messina won't wait for 4 or 5 years to take over the reins, he's practically good enough to coach right now and is perhaps better than at least 25 or the current NBA coaches. Dude's probably doing it for the experience and anticipating a coaching gig next season, Pop's just helping. It's a bit like signing Kawhi to back-up LeBron for 10 mins a game - it won't last long, both are too good. Also, it's funny how Pop sounds almost as if he'd be the assistant and learn from Messina :lol

Yep. Messina is 55. So he's not going to be much of a coach of the future.

[minuzzo21]

Very good!! He is a great coach and perfect for the Spurs system..

[Malik Hairston]

He's going to receive many offers in the next few seasons regardless, tbh, but if the Spurs repeat, there will be a few teams willing to offer him a massive amount of money to coach their team the following season IMO(especially when you see the type of money Kerr and Fisher received)..

As others already mentioned, I doubt he stays with the Spurs for more than a year or 2, tbh..

This is a transition/learning experience for him, and the Spurs are perfect for this role, as they are the middle ground between European basketball and NBA basketball..

[benefactor]

No team threw money at him to hang around a couple of years ago when he was with the Lakers...and the fact that he is a known commodity as great coach hasn't changed between then and now...so I don't see why some team would swoop in and take him in a year or two when he was there for the taking a back in 2012.

Just because Pop has signed a five season deal doesn't mean he's going to stay that long. I still say Pop coaches two or three more and then tells the Spurs he's ready for Messina to take over.

[Spurs9]

http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1188/11888561/2562405-6086807432-Happe.gif

[houston spurs fan]

Pop keeps his salary low for the sake of the franchise, tbh...
He's the 3rd highest paid coach in the NBA dumbass. In San Antonio. Factoring cost of living and taxes probably #1. Dumbass.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Not to hijack the thread but per the internet Pop makes less than Rivers and Van Gundy.

I mean among those 3 coaches they share 6 championships but I'm surprised Pop hasn't received a bump in salary.

Link? Because that new contract Pop just signed last week was clouded in secrecy and no details leaked.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Messina won't wait for 4 or 5 years to take over the reins, he's practically good enough to coach right now and is perhaps better than at least 25 or the current NBA coaches. Dude's probably doing it for the experience and anticipating a coaching gig next season, Pop's just helping. It's a bit like signing Kawhi to back-up LeBron for 10 mins a game - it won't last long, both are too good. Also, it's funny how Pop sounds almost as if he'd be the assistant and learn from Messina :lol

He needs to get some NBA experience and get the respect of NBA players first. We don't want a David Blatt here.

[baseline bum]

Pop isn't breaking his contract unless it's an emergency. If he signed a 5 year deal he'll be here those five years, so no way he's grooming Messina to eventually take over here.

[littlecoyotecoin]

Messina won't wait for 4 or 5 years to take over the reins, he's practically good enough to coach right now and is perhaps better than at least 25 or the current NBA coaches. Dude's probably doing it for the experience and anticipating a coaching gig next season, Pop's just helping. It's a bit like signing Kawhi to back-up LeBron for 10 mins a game - it won't last long, both are too good. Also, it's funny how Pop sounds almost as if he'd be the assistant and learn from Messina :lol

The way The Spurs always give praise to corporate knowledge and continuity, though, I could see Messina taking over. Messina acts as an assistant for five years, but in each of the five years, Pop cedes more and more responsibility coupled with increases in pay. At the end of Pop's tenure he is near 70, Messina is 60 with great experience in The Spurs culture, and can repeat the process over the next ten years, ending with a 15 year career as a Spurs coach/assistant. Or, they do something entirely different. One or the other.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Messina is just here to mentor Bonner for his inevitable coaching position.

[barakz21]

Based on the reaction of the posters here, especially the European ones, it seems like he's going to further refine an already solid offensive system. I'm starting to think he will to pop what thibs was to doc, except that he'll be on the offensive side

[littlecoyotecoin]

Messina is just here to mentor Bonner for his inevitable coaching position.

We should be so lucky. We could paint the Larry O'Brien trophy to look like a Hoagie, and win the championship every year.

[Mel_13]

Pop isn't breaking his contract unless it's an emergency. If he signed a 5 year deal he'll be here those five years, so no way he's grooming Messina to eventually take over here.

I agree that Pop will keep any commitment he made to Holt, with or without a formal extension. We really don't know, however, anything about the terms of his extension other than it was 'multi-year'.

All the scenarios with Messina are in play.

[xmas1997]

The way The Spurs always give praise to corporate knowledge and continuity, though, I could see Messina taking over. Messina acts as an assistant for five years, but in each of the five years, Pop cedes more and more responsibility coupled with increases in pay. At the end of Pop's tenure he is near 70, Messina is 60 with great experience in The Spurs culture, and can repeat the process over the next ten years, ending with a 15 year career as a Spurs coach/assistant. Or, they do something entirely different. One or the other.

It's not beyond the realm of possibility, in fact it makes pretty good sense. And why not? He has the credentials. And Pop can't coach forever.

[romain.star]

Wow, going from Moscow to deep down Texas will be quite a change for Messina and his family

Anyway, greatest off-season move by far. With Messina on-board, the Spurs identity could very well survive Pop/Manu/Parker/Pop departures

[G-Nob]

is sean marks rc replacement? down the road

A very important tidbit of info lost in the story. There's no doubt that is the intention if "big plans" are mentioned. Most importantly, in the NBA, moving him to a more prominent position in the front office increases his exposure to other teams. So even if he isn't RC's successor, he could be hired by someone else.

[pgardn]

I can't wait for the Ayers ISO to be introduced.


Magical.

[Indazone]

This is why the Spurs excel. They plan for succession and groom players and staff for bigger roles.

[peacemaker885]

Pop just getting all bases covered when he faces Rick Carlisle...

[100%duncan]

NBA fck:lold

[ontheraise]

messina is an amazing steal by the spurs,best move of the summer, this coach is a fckin legendwe already had the smartest coach of the nba now we have the two smartest coach

[team-work]

Some random thoughts without analysis:

1) What a great addition, based on Messina's resume. He is Europe's Pop.
2) Not only the players, but also the coaches, need to overcome their ego. "Get over yourself!'
3) What will happen to Jim Boylen? (Perhaps I am overreacting, thinking he is the top assistant.)
4) Pop controls his destiny, and probably deserves so, especially after a :lobt2:. He said recently he'd be stupid not to walk away to follow Timmy's footsteps in the middle of a game. He is too powerful to be confined by a contract. We don't need to take his words seriously.

[boutons_deux]

just ONE HELL OF AN OFF-SEASON for the Champs!

every rotation player coming back, added KA, and now Messina.

[FromWayDowntown]

It's a testament to Pop (who could easily big-time just about any basketball coach) that he's genuinely humble enough with his peers to welcome a hiring like this one. I really think Pop sees Messina's addition as a chance to learn from another great coach and I expect that Pop will readily incorporate Messina's ideas. The way the great remain great is to continue growing and listening only to yourself does little to stimulate growth. It's also the kind of outside-the-box thinking that the Spurs have mastered in overcoming the limitations of being a franchise in San Antonio, Texas.

It's likely to be a mutually-beneficial relationship, too, since Pop's system can grow and evolve with the influence of an sharp outsider and since Messina will now have both the Pop seal of approval and corporate knowledge that comes with spending time with the Spurs. If he wants to stay with the Spurs and grow with the organization with an eye towards being Pop's successor, it's a great opportunity for him; if he wants to parlay his time with the Spurs (however long or brief) into a higher profile NBA job, it's a great opportunity for him.

[szkorhetz]

I love the signing but I actually want Spoelstra to take over once the Pop era is over. You can say he could not do anything against us, but before this Finals he could and actually encountered every move the opponents did and this team would not have been matched by any teams ever playing in the NBA, even the PJ and MJ led Bulls would have been killed by the 2014 Spurs.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

He's the 3rd highest paid coach in the NBA dumbass. In San Antonio. Factoring cost of living and taxes probably #1. Dumbass.

Fuck off spook

[houston spurs fan]

Fuck off spook
Nice, a racist too

[ducks]

pop might have signed long term already knowing messina is going to help in and also lessen the load on pop
pop bench was depleted then rebuilt but lacked guys with lots of experience he can get advise from
this also will be a fresh voice on things
they both will learn from each other

[Ocotillo]

Once again, the Spurs are leading the rest of the league with fresh ideas. Not only are they hiring Messina to bring the top international coach to the team. Marks, a Kiwi, is moving to the front office. Of course, there are a majority of international players on the roster. Quietly, the Spurs are positioning themselves as the premier NBA organization for working with international players.

In the 90s and early aughts, the Spurs scouted better the international players than their NBA peers. Now, they are cultivating that to the next level with team management.

[Splits]

Took us to OT last year

Q3ElEOCeMHM

[ace3g]

Daniele Labanti™ @DL_corriere
(https://twitter.com/DL_corriere)
#spurs (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23spurs) More from Messina interview: "At 54 I feel I can still learn a lot of things in my career. The Spurs are the best place to do this"


Daniele Labanti™ @DL_corriere
(https://twitter.com/DL_corriere)
#spurs (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23spurs) Messina on the Nba: "The Spurs message is the team-concept is more important than the star-system. That's why they succeed"


Daniele Labanti™ @DL_corriere
(https://twitter.com/DL_corriere)
#spurs (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23spurs) Messina: "When you join the Spurs, you know you have to reset and link with the organization. My link with Pop is very strong"

[HI-FI]

great to see Messina officially hired. agree with others who think this is more of a springboard opportunity since Pop signed an extension. I've seen Messina on those Coach B videos, so I imagine him and Pop are real close, and this is an excuse to drink lots of wine (hopefully not too much) and pick each others' brains for a year at least. good news.

Not nearly as good as Messina, which is why he'll still be around in five years. Supposedly, he has a lot of potential, though. He's pretty much the wings coach on the team, and you can't argue with those results.
Udoka is interesting. I don't know how good he will be as a tactician, with in game adjustments or throughout a series. But I do like him. He seems to be the type that guys naturally respect. Part of that could be from blowing loads in Nia Long, but it's much more than that. There is that crazy but true story of him taking down like 20 algerians, defending his teammates like a Chuck Norris movie. stuff like that engenders instant respect, so I think he won't have a problem of players trusting him, which is at least half the battle imo.

[littlecoyotecoin]

great to see Messina officially hired. agree with others who think this is more of a springboard opportunity since Pop signed an extension. I've seen Messina on those Coach B videos, so I imagine him and Pop are real close, and this is an excuse to drink lots of wine (hopefully not too much) and pick each others' brains for a year at least. good news.

Udoka is interesting. I don't know how good he will be as a tactician, with in game adjustments or throughout a series. But I do like him. He seems to be the type that guys naturally respect. Part of that could be from blowing loads in Nia Long, but it's much more than that. There is that crazy but true story of him taking down like 20 algerians, defending his teammates like a Chuck Norris movie. stuff like that engenders instant respect, so I think he won't have a problem of players trusting him, which is at least half the battle imo.

Ime lives in my gated community. He was involved in a lawsuit with our homeowners association. They have strict guidelines on construction materials, etc and his home is comprised mostly of human heads.

They settled out of court, and he was able to build an addition.

True Story.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Further to ace3g's post above, here's what David Blatt had to say recently regarding Pop:


But what about this? Pop has embraced the 3-pointer, but he has said he actually hates the rule. Do you like it, just as part of the game?

That’s interesting. For a guy that’s won five championships with the 3-point shot to say that — that’s very interesting. And he has the right to say that. He’s a terrific guy. Pop’s a guy that has touched a lot of different people and coaches, and he does it in such a beautiful way, without asking for anything. He gives so much back to the profession.

He doesn’t give much to the media, but I kind of respect that.

And I can respect him for that too!

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/qa-cavs-coach-david-blatt-on-lebron-princeton-and-the-natural/

It's pretty clear that Pop is a very generous man, and that everyone in the coaching world respects the hell out of him. :toast

[T Park]

Impossible. Spurstalk posters know more than him. How can he be respected?

[emanueldavidginobili]

Thats pretty awesome that Manu and Messina were together back in Italy. Cant wait to see Messinas tweaks to the offense

[littlecoyotecoin]

Impossible. Spurstalk posters know more than him. How can he be respected?

True. Shit. Thanks for snapping me out of it. I was almost thinking Pop knew WTF he was doing. What a scrub.

[littlecoyotecoin]

The way The Spurs always give praise to corporate knowledge and continuity, though, I could see Messina taking over. Messina acts as an assistant for five years, but in each of the five years, Pop cedes more and more responsibility coupled with increases in pay. At the end of Pop's tenure he is near 70, Messina is 60 with great experience in The Spurs culture, and can repeat the process over the next ten years, ending with a 15 year career as a Spurs coach/assistant. Or, they do something entirely different. One or the other.

Hey, Taylor, if you're going to do radio segments based on our threads and posts, how about at least giving a shoutout, sheesh.

[Mel_13]

Hey, Taylor, if you're going to do radio segments based on our threads and posts, how about at least giving a shoutout, sheesh.

Jeff Taylor? What a tool.

[bigfan]

Pop signed an extension with the Spurs organization and there is nothing to stop him from moving to a strictly management position whenever he and Holt want. I bet he coaches til Tim is gone then turns over the reigns to someone on the bench. I think maybe Messina could be the plan.

[boutons_deux]

I expect Pop to be ejected from 20+ games this season with Ettore taking over. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s11Ff8MktME

[jyra]

There is that crazy but true story of him taking down like 20 algerians, defending his teammates like a Chuck Norris movie. stuff like that engenders instant respect, so I think he won't have a problem of players trusting him, which is at least half the battle imo.

I loved reading that story. Not sure how accurate it is but it certainly makes Ime look like some psychopath. Here it is for those who haven't seen it yet:

http://hoopshype.com/blogs/muoneke/ime-the-great
(scroll down to The Ime Udoka story)

[Splits]

mvEqZnP2_7w

[jyra]

New Spur ready for work, and recovery By Buck Harvey

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/columnists/buck_harvey/article/New-Spur-ready-for-work-and-for-recovery-5738819.php?cmpid=twitter-premium&t=5fe8ecdf44ebaa2aab


I though this quote was quite interesting:


"I'm not here temporarily,” he said. “I'm not here to use this to pursue something else. I'm here to work and learn, and I'm excited. I keep telling my wife, 'You don't get a chance every day to work with the NBA's coach of the year, executive of the year and defending champs.'"

Maybe I'm reading too much into it but it sounds like Messina has every intention of taking over for Pop once he retires.

[xmas1997]

New Spur ready for work, and recovery By Buck Harvey

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/columnists/buck_harvey/article/New-Spur-ready-for-work-and-for-recovery-5738819.php?cmpid=twitter-premium&t=5fe8ecdf44ebaa2aab


I though this quote was quite interesting:



Maybe I'm reading too much into it but it sounds like Messina has every intention of taking over for Pop once he retires.

That assessment seems pretty reasonable to most of us IMHO.

[DPG21920]

I am most excited about this move so far in this off season. Despite the fact the Spurs won the title, I was not happy with the AC's on this team. Spurs lost a lot of good coaching on the bench and this is a very good grab and he seems to be really engaged.

[Chinook]

I was not happy with the AC's on this team.

Lebron was even more unhappy with them.

[ace3g]

An Exquisite International Tongue
The first thing you should know about Ettore Messina is that he is a man of many tongues. He can speak with Marco Belinelli in Italian, chat with Manu Ginobili in Spanish, joke with Tony Parker in French, banter with Gregg Popovich in Russian and communicate with everyone else in perfect English.

The second thing you should know: Messina owes his globetrotting career as a coach to a man who knew nothing about basketball, his late father, Filippo, a lawyer in Venice, Italy. If not for Filippo Messina, a gentleman with no interest in sports, Ettore would not be a Spurs assistant. If not for the father, the son may have never left Italy.

http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/exquisite-international-tongue

[kobyz]

Ettora Messina named Italy national team head coach...

[Chinook]

Can they keep him over there full time? Dude's an anchor to the team.

[JeffDuncan]

Is an anchor like an albatross?