Gregg Popovich losing to Glenn Fraud Rivers in 2015 is a stain on his legacy

[Rusty]

And that was fresh off of a championship run. And Spurs were up 3-2 in that series. It's seriously embarrassing to lose in the playoffs against a mediocre head coach who's known for choking leads.

[ezau]

Did Pop ever blew a 3-1 lead? I don't think so. Rivers meanwhile had blown 3-1 leads thrice. :lol :lol :lol

[cd021]

That team was doomed early on, when they went through an insane amount of injuries, Pop did help keep the team from falling apart and got them to the playoffs.

I actually think that with how bad Manu and Parker played, plus Splitter banged up (he was supposed to guard Blake who went off against the Spurs) and Kawhi fading in and out like Kitty Pryde, Pop helping get it to game 7 against a good Clips team was pretty good.

[Rusty]

Did Pop ever blew a 3-1 lead? I don't think so. Rivers meanwhile had blown 3-1 leads thrice. :lol :lol :lol

I'm not comparing Poppovich to Fraud Rivers. I'm saying it's a disgrace that Pop lost to a dumb fucking head coach like Fraud Rivers

[Rusty]

That team was doomed early on, when they went through an insane amount of injuries, Pop did help keep the team from falling apart and got them to the playoffs.

I actually think that with how bad Manu and Parker played, plus Splitter banged up (he was supposed to guard Blake who went off against the Spurs) and Kawhi fading in and out like Kitty Pryde, Pop helping get it to game 7 against a good Clips team was pretty good.

Pop ruined game 6 by doing the Hack of DeAndre while the Spurs were up. It ruined all the Spurs momentum and gave life bck to the Clippers. That's how delusional Pop became after winning his 5th title

[ezau]

I'm not comparing Poppovich to Fraud Rivers. I'm saying it's a disgrace that Pop lost to a dumb fucking head coach like Fraud Rivers

So Pop never squandered a 3-1 lead ever. Phil Jackson lost to Rivers in the finals, does that make him an idiot too? Stop reaching, son. Just admit that Kawhi choked and life will be a little better. :lol :lol :lol

[Robz4000]

That team was doomed early on, when they went through an insane amount of injuries, Pop did help keep the team from falling apart and got them to the playoffs.

I actually think that with how bad Manu and Parker played, plus Splitter banged up (he was supposed to guard Blake who went off against the Spurs) and Kawhi fading in and out like Kitty Pryde, Pop helping get it to game 7 against a good Clips team was pretty good.

Spurs should've won that series in 5 despite Splitter's injury and Kawhi playing like shit. Duncan reached back into the fountain of youth to play one of his better series in his career against the best front court in the NBA at the time, and Mills actually balled out in his limited playing time. It was also the only series Belinelli showed up in during his time with the Spurs.

[Rusty]

So Pop never squandered a 3-1 lead ever. Phil Jackson lost to Rivers in the finals, does that make him an idiot too? Stop reaching, son. Just admit that Kawhi choked and life will be a little better. :lol :lol :lol

Phil Jackson didn't have Ariza and Bynum in that series. Lakers would've won if those 2 were healthy

[RD2191]

Don't forget losing to an 8th seed as the 1 seed.

[KobesAchilles]

I think losing to Avery Johnson is worse tbh. And then Lionel Hollins. Rivers would be my 3rd with Scotty Brooks being 4. I think everyone else Pop lost to is fine. So in order:

1: AJ
2: Hollins
3: Rivers
4: Brooks (atleast with Brookes you can blame Thunderref)

[Rusty]

I think losing to Avery Johnson is worse tbh. And then Lionel Hollins. Rivers would be my 3rd with Scotty Brooks being 4. I think everyone else Pop lost to is fine. So in order:

1: AJ
2: Hollins
3: Rivers
4: Brooks (atleast with Brookes you can blame Thunderref)

Don't think #4 is fair to Pop. The Spurs always struggled against the OKC Thunder which at that time was way more talented and more athletic than the Spurs

[BackHome]

All these Butt Hurt Ky fans and there Alts coming out of the woodwork. It’s a sad day I understand you are all shocked and embarrassed by your boy but keep it in the family Clipper Nation.

[cd021]

Spurs should've won that series in 5 despite Splitter's injury and Kawhi playing like shit. Duncan reached back into the fountain of youth to play one of his better series in his career against the best front court in the NBA at the time, and Mills actually balled out in his limited playing time. It was also the only series Belinelli showed up in during his time with the Spurs.

Agreed on Duncan, Beli and Mills balling. But when Parker and Manu and Kawhi are playing either bad or mediocre, and a banged up Splitter, what else could Pop do?

Also, who can forget that BS foul call late in game 7, then CP3 latter hitting the game winner. Pop has plenty of playoff misses but this series isn't on the greatest hits for me.

[cd021]

Pop ruined game 6 by doing the Hack of DeAndre while the Spurs were up. It ruined all the Spurs momentum and gave life bck to the Clippers. That's how delusional Pop became after winning his 5th title
That didn't work, for sure. But I think you're ignoring just how awful Parker and Manu were, and how MIA Kawhi was. Diaw wasn't that great either and Splitter was ineffective after an injury. Just being up 3-2 in that series was pretty damn good.

[south side spur]

All these Butt Hurt Ky fans and there Alts coming out of the woodwork. It’s a sad day I understand you are all shocked and embarrassed by your boy but keep it in the family Clipper Nation.

Exactly. Kawhi goes 8-28 from the field and 2-8 from 3 in games 6 and 7 that series and that’s on Pop? How Kawhi skates 2015 and 2016 I’ll never understand.

[Robz4000]

Agreed on Duncan, Beli and Mills balling. But when Parker and Manu and Kawhi are playing either bad or mediocre, and a banged up Splitter, what else could Pop do?

Also, who can forget that BS foul call late in game 7, then CP3 latter hitting the game winner. Pop has plenty of playoff misses but this series isn't on the greatest hits for me.

Sure, it wasn't his worst, but its definitely up there. If he played Mills more minutes instead of Parker, played CoJo on Austin fucking Rivers when he started going off in game 4, or simply adjusted to the Chris Paul/Blake Griffin PnR the Spurs take care of business.

[lefty20]

I mean Phil Jackson lost to him as well doe. It be like that sometimes, it really do.

[Robz4000]

I mean Phil Jackson lost to him as well doe. It be like that sometimes, it really do.

Pop is still the GOAT coach, but this series (and the 2014-15 season in general) is where his ability to coach at a high level started to decline. He's the one who became fat and happy the most after 5.

[TD 21]

:lmao Acting like coaches play.

With the right circumstances (talent/fit/chemistry, etc.) any coach can "beat" any other one.

[Teamduncan21]

So Pop never squandered a 3-1 lead ever. Phil Jackson lost to Rivers in the finals, does that make him an idiot too? Stop reaching, son. Just admit that Kawhi choked and life will be a little better. :lol :lol :lol

kawhi also choked in this series, getting blocked by matt barnes

[ezau]

At the end of the day, Pop, Manu, Tim, and Tony never blew a 3-1 lead. Meanwhile, KaChoke...:lol :lol :lol

[ezau]

Kawhi has had a history of choking since 2013. The 3-1 lead he squandered is just the cherry on top, tbh.

[timtonymanu]

Pop definitely messed up in 2015. The Spurs should have won that series in 6 if he made simple adjustments. I was so bitter towards most of the guys for wasting Duncan’s good series that year. What a legendary performance that was.

[Spurtacular]

That series was lost in Game 4 at home when nobody except Beli showed up to play and they blew their chance to go up 3-1.
Kawhi was especially disappointing IIRC. That's when you want a Finals MVP caliber player to step up instead of being underwhelming.

[KobesAchilles]

I just remember the Clippers running literally the same play all game long the whole series and Pop not being able to adjust to it. High pick n roll with a double screen from Griffin and Jordan.

[cd021]

Sure, it wasn't his worst, but its definitely up there. If he played Mills more minutes instead of Parker, played CoJo on Austin fucking Rivers when he started going off in game 4, or simply adjusted to the Chris Paul/Blake Griffin PnR the Spurs take care of business.

Its not like he didn't ride Mills and Beli, both had huge games in game 3 and game 6. Its hard when two of the Spurs big 3 were MIA and two of the medium 3 didn't exactly show up/

That game 7 came down to L.A nephew not showing up, a BS foul call and a CP3 game winner. In the end, its kinda hard to put that part on Pop.

[cd021]

kawhi also choked in this series, getting blocked by matt barnes

Matt Barnes couldn't stop Derek Fisher from scoring but shut down the raining finals MVP :lmao


Kawhi has had a history of choking since 2013. The 3-1 lead he squandered is just the cherry on top, tbh.

Agreed:

-2012 Got benched in favor of Captain Jack vs. the Thunder in the WCF
-2013 Missed free throw that would've sealed the deal and won the Spurs the 2013 Championship
-2015- Chocked against the Clippers, shut down by a journeyman in Matt Barnes in game 7
-2020-Blew 3-1 lead 14 points, on 22 shots in game 7

LA Nephew has a pretty bad PS record, that directly lead to his team being eliminated 4 times.

[K...]

We lost to Chris Paul mainly. Clowning on doc is fun, but the real mastermind is the hall of fame pg on the floor running the plays

[KaiRMD1]

That series loss was on Tony Parker, in all honesty. Then again, Pop kept that bum in the game for long periods when he shouldn't have. So you're right. Although, there are still other stains on pop's legacy

[Kawhitstorm]

Spurs should've won that series in 5 despite Splitter's injury and Kawhi playing like shit. Duncan reached back into the fountain of youth to play one of his better series in his career against the best front court in the NBA at the time, and Mills actually balled out in his limited playing time. It was also the only series Belinelli showed up in during his time with the Spurs.

The biggest blunder was not playing Patty when he was hot. I’ve said this multiple time but Matt Barnes couldn’t guard Kawhi in the post thus Doc kept sending doubles after Gm 3. Patty was able to keep them honest but Poop had him glued while Enrique was playing hero ball or Kawhi was forcing contested shots like Kirby.

Kawhi also had to chase Choke-P3 through multiple double screens for the latter part of the series b/c Danny was getting cooked which most likely wore him out.

BTW, I was at STAPLES for Gm 1 & almost walked out when Blake posterized Baynes who was useless in that series despite having an opportunity due to Splitters injury.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

We had a few series over the years where we laid an egg. The Clippers in 2015 as mentioned. Getting steamrolled by the Grizz in 2011 when they were the 8 seed definitely sucked, as well. The 2012 playoffs when we opened up 10-0 and then dropped 4 straight to the Thunder was not fun either.

[Kawhitstorm]

We had a few series over the years where we laid an egg. The Clippers in 2015 as mentioned. Getting steamrolled by the Grizz in 2011 when they were the 8 seed definitely sucked, as well. The 2012 playoffs when we opened up 10-0 and then dropped 4 straight to the Thunder was not fun either.

Poop not giving minutes to Splitter & icing Jack takes the cake.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Hack-a-Jordan and him willing to lose with a washed Parker dragging the team down is what cost it.. you literally could’ve started Corey Joseph in place of Parker and the spurs win in 5. Plus kawhi blowing it in game 7. Tim and Danny green played tremendously that game

[widowmaker]

And that was fresh off of a championship run. And Spurs were up 3-2 in that series. It's seriously embarrassing to lose in the playoffs against a mediocre head coach who's known for choking leads.

Damn reaching to try to take a dump on pop huh lmao. Try harder this has troll written all over it.

[Trainwreck2100]

people want to blame pop, but that series was lost on a shot chris paul misses the rest of his career.

[rjv]

using this logic, any HOF coach who has lost a playoff series to a lesser coach is tarnished.

[cd98]

Is Perkins saying that Rivers should be fired for losing like he did D'Antoni?

[ezau]

No but his team that one 20 in a row lost 4 in a row to OKC.... but Doc Rivers does suck and they are both frauds tbh.

2-0 leads are more surmountable than 3-1 leads. Blowing a 3-1 lead is like a lion playing with its food before ultimately snuffing it.

[JohnnyMax]

DeAndre Jordan was also a Serge Ibaka level intimidator at the rim.

[RC_Drunkford]

Sure, it wasn't his worst, but its definitely up there. If he played Mills more minutes instead of Parker, played CoJo on Austin fucking Rivers when he started going off in game 4, or simply adjusted to the Chris Paul/Blake Griffin PnR the Spurs take care of business.

Pop not being able to stop that double screen will forever be a mystery to me

[phxspurfan]

2-0 leads are more surmountable than 3-1 leads. Blowing a 3-1 lead is like a lion playing with its food before ultimately snuffing it.

2-0 leads seem to be nothing these days since (pre Covid) the other team would go home to some cuppycake games with the refs doing their bullshit to extend every series to 7 games to maximize revenue

[Gibbz]

Have to remember that SA was banged up all year and Kawhi was terrified of Matt Barnes.

[RD2191]

Kawhi has had a history of choking since 2013. The 3-1 lead he squandered is just the cherry on top, tbh.
No. :lol revisionists history just because you're a huge faggot. Kawhi is the only reason the Spurs were even relevant in the 2010s. Losing to 8 seeds before he got here. :lol delusional spurms fans.

[K...]

why do people blang on about "kawhi was important to the spurs" and ignore likely 3 time champ Danny Green? Green was really an important part of the beautiful game and had big stats without being an iso whore.

[ezau]

No. :lol revisionists history just because you're a huge faggot. Kawhi is the only reason the Spurs were even relevant in the 2010s. Losing to 8 seeds before he got here. :lol delusional spurms fans.

Prime Timmy, Manu, and Parker never squandered a 3-1 lead, son. KaChoke getting torched by a borderline star in Jamal Murray and losing a 3-1 lead against the Nuggets will forever haunt his degenerative knees. :lol

[KobesAchilles]

the point was the 20 game win streak not 2-0 leads, that team should have rung. Poops did nothing to make that team better or give it a greater chance not to loose 4 straight to OKC. That game six was a travesty, Poop gets away unscathed for shit like that and DRob still crucified over a very close six game series with Hakeem's rockets....... that loss was bad enough poop fired THAT coach... poop put himself in a postilion with the aid of local media, the organization, the fanbase, and Tim Duncan to roll in pigshit and come out clean time and time again.
Here are a few recent of those.
Last few seconds of game six in Miami sits tim TWICE!!!
Start Bryn Forbes at 2 guard for 100 games in a row but in the bubble he falls ass backwards into the talented youth he had know idea was in deep freeze in Austin because he was trying to TANK.

Dude gets more passes than a NY subway Turnstile since the end of fining fair jumpers.

That 95 series is the one that gets to me even today. It's why I hate Dennis Rodman. Pop fired Hill mainly bc Hill refused to double and triple team Hakeem. He left Robinson all alone on an island to win the series himself and that's shitty coaching. Pop actually did adjust to OKC in 2012. But if you remember that 9 point swing from Thunderef where Gino picked up the two most bullshit calls of all time and cost us 6 points and then the Thunder capitalized with a 3 immediately afterwards. Plus those calls put Gino on the bench and he wa very clearly our best player that game.

The Clippers and Nugget series though are fireable offenses in my book :lol

[gambit1990]

-2012 Got benched in favor of Captain Jack vs. the Thunder in the WCF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm6hepN6L84

[gambit1990]

timmy and patty were playing well in that LAC series.

[gambit1990]

That series loss was on Tony Parker, in all honesty. Then again, Pop kept that bum in the game for long periods when he shouldn't have.
PATFO should've moved on from tony much sooner.

old timmy and old manu were able to play at a decent level compared to old parker.