Buck Harvey: As a cabbie, Popovich was golden

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s...as_golden.html

Gregg Popovich should have flown into the San Antonio airport last week with a gold medal. He instead drove to the airport to pick up bronze.

He instead acted as if he were moonlighting in a taxi, pulling up to give Manu Ginobili a ride. Popovich accentuated the gesture by planting a kiss on Ginobili's cheek, and with that Popovich did more than make Ginobili wonder if the jet lag was playing tricks on his mind. Popovich showed again why he should have been the coach of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

He knows basketball, he knows people and he knows how to mix the two.

As it is, Mike Krzyzewski did fine in Popovich's place. He's always been a gentleman, and he was in Beijing. His players responded accordingly, and they won with civility, changing the way the world perceives American basketball.

Still, Krzyzewski had the benefit of the best U.S. talent in a dozen years, and this was supposed to be Popovich's turn. He knows the global game better than Krzyzewski, and he certainly knows the pro athlete better than Krzyzewski.

Having assisted both George Karl and Larry Brown in international competition, Popovich had paid his dues, too. But that's ultimately what undercut Popovich. Karl and Brown had overseen bad-tempered disasters, and Popovich was guilty by association. To change what had been done before, Jerry Colangelo felt the need to change everything.

Colangelo might also have been reluctant to reward a coach who had beaten Colangelo's Suns for a decade. And maybe this factored into the equation, too: In Athens, Popovich continued his never-ending defense of Tim Duncan's attitude toward the media, and neither wore well with the USA Basketball staff.

No matter the reason, Popovich didn't complain publicly. And, the way it worked out, maybe it was better he wasn't coaching in Beijing when the United States played Argentina. He would have been distracted in the first quarter.

Then Ginobili collapsed, holding the same ankle that had bothered him last spring. Back in his San Antonio living room, Popovich was free to yell at the HD vision in front of him. Hadn't Popovich thought all of this was possible?

He had, as had the Spurs' medical staff. But here's the literal twist of this ankle: Specialists didn't think it was a matter of if Ginobili's ligament would give out, but when.

That's why Ginobili isn't inaccurate when he contends the Spurs cleared him to join the Argentina team. Popovich and his doctors would have preferred Ginobili didn't play, because there is always some risk. But they understood this joint was inherently weak and would likely require surgery eventually.

If anything, their fear was this: Ginobili would survive the Olympics only to collapse in December or March.

This way, Ginobili got to play, and now his ankle will be fixed. Who knows? Maybe his absence the first month of the season helps Roger Mason blend in.

Still, even with these circumstances, Ginobili likely wondered how Popovich was taking the news. Given what Popovich had said before, Ginobili had reason to wonder if some things would be awkward.

Popovich isn't above an I-told-you-so speech. R.C. Buford has certainly heard one before. But Popovich is far too smart to spend time dwelling on what is done. Ginobili has always been one of his favorites, and, just as Popovich has lived with his aggressive mistakes on the court, he will live with this.

But Popovich didn't stop there. He went to the airport to pick up His Guy. He showed Ginobili they are together, and it was an emotional act by an emotional man.

Popovich confronts his players the same way. He's yelled at Ginobili, and he's told him to sit down. He has a sense of what needs to be said, and what people need to hear, and it's worked in the Spurs' locker room for a decade.

And if given a chance? It would have worked in Beijing, too.

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Nice article.

finally something more positive out of Harvey... :tu

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But Popovich is far too smart to spend time dwelling on what is done. Ginobili has always been one of his favorites, and, just as Popovich has lived with his aggressive mistakes on the court, he will live with this.

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He showed Ginobili they are together, and it was an emotional act by an emotional man.

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Sweet piece. I do love this team.

On the court he's Popazit or Popabitch since I'm a Laker fan.

But props to him for his handling of the Manu situation, that was pretty cool. As somebody else said, I couldn't see Phil coming to the airport to pick up Kobe and much less seeing him "kissing" him hahah.

He probably would have won Gold with Kobe/LeBron/DWade/CP3/DWill/DHo/Bosh too.

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Originally Posted by Allanon

On the court he's Popazit or Popabitch since I'm a Laker fan.

But props to him for his handling of the Manu situation, that was pretty cool. As somebody else said, I couldn't see Phil coming to the airport to pick up Kobe and much less seeing him "kissing" him hahah.

He probably would have won Gold with Kobe/LeBron/DWade too.

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Wow, how innovative and adult.

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Originally Posted by T Park

Wow, how innovative and adult.

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Wow, that's very nice of you. Thankyou.

Nice, Buck. Maybe two more articles like this and Manu will forget your article last week. :lol

Pop is not only CIA - he;'s sometimes genius in his personal assessment of situations and how to handle them.

Pop is good with the vet but for some reason has a brain lock with rookies and the likes of Beno. Maybe its a "pay your dues" type of thinking.

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Originally Posted by dbestpro

Pop is good with the vet but for some reason has a brain lock with rookies and the likes of Beno. Maybe its a "pay your dues" type of thinking.

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True dat. It's almost like a ceremonial rookie indoctrination. I believe he does to test their toughness so that rooks don't get the big head. Parker is on record with saying Pop is a "crazy man" at times. Sometimes it does have a tendency to backfire on him.

:lmao at this thinly veiled apology article from Buck. Manu seemed pretty upset about the previous article so I'm guessing Pop sure Buck and had him write this retraction.

Spiffy.

buck harvey=waste of space

Pop is still the best coach in the league and this is one reason why. Its also one reason why I will always be a Spurs fan.

Nice article although I realize its true meaning.

Yep, it's a nice piece. But it's a weak attempt at apologizing. Just say it straight-up, Buck. Your last article was a knee-jerk reaction. IMO, If Manu hadn't mentioned it in his article, this probably wouldn't have come out.

:angel Aawww Pop is just a sweetheart.

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Originally Posted by dbestpro

Pop is good with the vet but for some reason has a brain lock with rookies and the likes of Beno. Maybe its a "pay your dues" type of thinking.

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The likes of Beno sealed his own fate, not anything to do with Pop.

He has no brain lock with rookies, thats a complete baseless fabrication.

Maybe somebody clued Harvey into the the Spurs thinking that the Olympic breakdown that instigated the "when, not if, surgery" was a blessing in disguise.

I missed where Ginobili mentioned Buck's article.

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Originally Posted by spursfan09

I missed where Ginobili mentioned Buck's article.

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Cherry posted it in the Manu surgery thread.

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Originally Posted by Manu

I had the chance to read some columns in a San Antonio communication medium, where I was criticized for my decision of going with the National Team to the games. It’s all good, I respect the journalist that is giving his opinion and who is paid to do such thing. To me, from my part, I have a very well formed opinion. The most important thing is that Gregg Popovich is on the same page with me and he is, at the end of the day my contractor to say it somehow. That’s why I am very confident about the way I proceeded, and I feel backed up by the people in San Antonio.

Sincerely, I was very surprised that Pop picked me up at the San Antonio International airport. I was not expecting it at all because it was 10:30pm, that here is considered very late. But of course I value his gesture, it is a shown of affection and class very important. When this approach with the coach happened I was talking to a group of journalists; he grabbed my arm and said: “let’s go, you have been traveling too much”. We then got into his SUV and talked on a very friendly way. So that’s how things look regarding the Spurs.

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http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthre...=103866&page=6

Here is a little article from Charley Rosen on trading Ginobili:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8...-with-Ginobili

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8...-with-Ginobili

Should the Spurs try to make a major trade? Being that Bruce Bowen is up there in age and obviously Tim Duncan isn't getting younger, it seems to me that TD needs to be surrounded with some younger players. I would try to move Manu Ginobili before he gets hurt again. Wouldn't packaging Ginobili with Bowen bring the Spurs a good return? — Kris, San Antonio

It's true that the Spurs are an aging ball club. Their list of overly-seasoned veterans include Bowen (37), Michael Finley (35), Kurt Thomas (36), Fabricio Oberto (33), Jacque Vaughn (33) and TD is 32! The plan is to replace Bowen with Ime Udoka, who's still at least a year away from being a consistent defender, but given his advanced years, it's hard to imagine any other team wanting to deal for BB.


Also, given that Duncan and Tony Parker are untouchable, there's no one else on their roster who could command a quality player in return.

It's also true that the full-speed-ahead style of the 31-year-old Ginobili often leads to stints on the injured list — during his NBA career he's missed an average of nearly 11 games per season. Even so, he remains the primary motor of the Spurs offense — simply because he can go get the ball while the ball has to come to Duncan. Make no mistake about Ginobili's skill level — he's a bona fide super star. So, then, for whom could Ginobili be traded? Who could possibly duplicate what he does for San Antonio?

Obviously, guys like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant are out of the question. So is Paul Pierce, who's rapidly approaching the 32nd anniversary of his birth. Perhaps someone like Gilbert Arenas, Baron Davis, Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter could be had — but none of these guys fit Pop's unselfish game plan.

Would the Kings be willing to deal Kevin Martin (25)? Would Pop want anything to do with Tracy McGrady (29)?

Probably not.

Nor would the likes of Luol Deng (23), Gerald Wallace (26), or Rip Hamilton (30) be considered without additional inducements.

Indeed, the only semi-available player I'd trade Ginobili for would be Joe Johnson (27). Failing this, the Spurs would be advised to stand pat, hope that their elder statesmen can squeeze out another quality season, that Ginobili's rehab will be successful and that Roger Mason is a big surprise.

Moreover, having most recently won championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007, hopefully the Spurs should be the odds-on favorites to win again in 2009.

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Originally Posted by duncan228

Cherry posted it in the Manu surgery thread.



http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthre...=103866&page=6

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Thanks!

:tu

Back in the days when the Olympics was more interesting because it wasn't completely filled with pro athletes, I could understand a college coach leading the US basketball team. But now I just don't get it.

In Manu's article he wrote that he was surprised Pop picked him up because it was 10:30 pm and HERE it is considered very late. Is it completely different in Argentina?

i'm beginning to think that Pop is thinking more of 2010 than this upcoming season.

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Originally Posted by Whisky Dog

In Manu's article he wrote that he was surprised Pop picked him up because it was 10:30 pm and HERE it is considered very late. Is it completely different in Argentina?

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late for something like this would be around 1am...

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Originally Posted by Whisky Dog

In Manu's article he wrote that he was surprised Pop picked him up because it was 10:30 pm and HERE it is considered very late. Is it completely different in Argentina?

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10.30 pm is when many people have dinner in Argentina.

Pop knows people, and you can tell that our team really like and respect each other as human beings, so it's not at all surprising to me that Pop would pick Manu up at the airport. These guys are like family, and it's another reason I love the Spurs. :)

Even taking Ginobili's injury into consideration, I doubt the Spurs make any type of drastic move. We've always taken the approach of standing pat.

"Pop, why aren't you going to scold Manu the way you scold all your other players and assistant coaches and, well, the entire world when they do something wrong?"