"The best coach in the league (and its not even close) is Gregg Popovich"

[E20]

When did Pop do that?

2003.

Most people before the season started predicted the Spurs do finish like 8th or 7th. They didn't consider David Robinson to be great or an impact player he was old and injured. He only averged 20 MPG that season and the rest of the Spurs team were old players or young rookies.

[romad_20]

He retired for one (1) year. But you're right, Andrew Bynum was immediately a Top 5 bigman out of high school. He didn't need any coaching or development to become good. And Derek Fisher is a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. Who wouldn't win with him?

To give credit where credit is due, Kareem is the one who's been coaching Bynum. It's well do ented.

No one address my comments of Pop being better out of a timeout, better defensive coach and preparing his players 1-12 better. Jackson is also a prick to his own players, personality and motivation has to come into play as well.

I also made a point earlier in the thread that Pop has had Duncan, but has not had a second player the caliber of Pippen, Kobe and Shaq.

[Extra Stout]

2003.

Most people before the season started predicted the Spurs do finish like 8th or 7th. They didn't consider David Robinson to be great or an impact player he was old and injured. He only averged 20 MPG that season and the rest of the Spurs team were old players or young rookies.

You don't consider Manu Ginobili or Tony Parker to be great players?

[E20]

You don't consider Manu Ginobili or Tony Parker to be great players?

In 2003? No.
In 2003, Parker and Manu weren't even close to as good as they are now. Manu was a rookie who had only one decent playoff series ... against the Lakers. Parker was a 20-year-old point guard who was inconsistent, as is to be expected for a guy who should have been a sop re in college. You could make a case for Parker being the second best player on that team (although that's likely not the case), however Ginobili was probably the sixth or seventh best player on that team. Totally different than '05 and '07.

These aren't even my words, I stole this from timvp in this thread: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...t=98855&page=5

But I would have said something along those lines.

[Extra Stout]

however Ginobili was probably the sixth or seventh best player on that team.

David Robinson would have spittle all over his monitor if he read that.

[lebomb]

No kidding.....Pop does not get the respect he deserves as a coach because he makes subtle adjustments to his squad and keeps on winning championships. We really only kept the big 3......that were drafted and developed through the Spurs system. Also, look at what Pop did with Bruce Bowen??!!! PJ would have never developed or even used a player like him.

Im sorry, I just dont think PJ has had to do what Pop has. There is noway PJ could have had the same success with the Spurs as Pop has. I think he would have bailed out after a year or so.

[Extra Stout]

I'm a bitter hater. Phil Jackson could lead blind Armenian orphans to an NBA le and I'd still call him a gravy-trainer.

[Extra Stout]

No kidding.....Pop does not get the respect he deserves as a coach because he makes subtle adjustments to his squad and keeps on winning championships. We really only kept the big 3......that were drafted and developed through the Spurs system. Also, look at what Pop did with Bruce Bowen??!!! PJ would have never developed or even used a player like him.

Im sorry, I just dont think PJ has had to do what Pop has. There is noway PJ could have had the same success with the Spurs as Pop has. I think he would have bailed out after a year or so.

Gregg Popovich gets no love because he coaches the San Antonio Spurs, he does not suffer fools, he coaches the San Antonio Spurs, he avoids the spotlight, and he coaches the San Antonio Spurs.

Not every coach is right for every team. Pop would struggle if he had to coach an egomaniac like Michael Jordan, Shaq, or Kobe Bryant. PJ's Jedi mind tricks wouldn't work on a guy like Tim Duncan.

[romad_20]

I'm still waiting on someone to tell me how many coaches under Phil have become successful, or what impact the creator of the triangle offense working with him for 20years has had. Or what he's done without 2 superstar (not just allstar) players on his team.

I'm sounding like a hater, but I don't think rings=best coach.

[Extra Stout]

I'm still waiting on someone to tell me how many coaches under Phil have become successful, or what impact the creator of the triangle offense working with him for 20years has had. Or what he's done without 2 superstar (not just allstar) players on his team.

I'm sounding like a hater, but I don't think rings=best coach.

Pau Gasol is not a superstar, but rather only an All-Star; so I'd say the best Phil Jackson has done without 2 superstars is to make it to the NBA Finals.

[E20]

David Robinson would have spittle all over his monitor if he read that.

1. Tim Duncan
2/3 David robinson/Tony Parker(interhchangable)
4/5 Stephen Jackson/Malik Rose(Interchangeable)
6/7 Rookie Manu Ginobili/ Speedy Claxton.



The 2003 Spurs were composed of a monster Tim Duncan, an aging and injured David Robinson, a bunch old, past their prime vets who could just shoot jumpers, 3 inconsistent rookies 1 of them being hot headed, and Malik Rose as the 6th man. 1 Great player, 1 former great, but aging/injured, a bunch of unproven rookies and aging vets.

[romad_20]

Pau Gasol is not a superstar, but rather only an All-Star; so I'd say the best Phil Jackson has done without 2 superstars is to make it to the NBA Finals.

I agree with that point, so if he doesn't win it? Byron Scott has coached his way to the finals, Doc Rivers coaching in the finals right now shows what can happen if you've got enough talent on the team. Phil has had a top 10 player of all time on all of his championship teams(6 times with the GOAT) and two of them on the teams from 2000-2002. He lost to Pop in 2003 when Pop had a much less talented roster. He lost to Detroit and had 4, count them 4, Hall of Fame players.

Phil is a great coach and indeed might be a better coach than Pop but it's not just some open and shut case. I think Pop has a good arguement for the best coach in the league right now.

[IronMexican]

toss up between pop and phil, either way you're in a good spot.

[Extra Stout]

Phil is a great coach and indeed might be a better coach than Pop but it's not just some open and shut case. I think Pop has a good arguement for the best coach in the league right now.

I don't think it's an open and shut case either. There are some things Pop definitely does better. I merely argue against the idea that Pop is obviously better because Phil Jackson is an overrated gravy-trainer.

[romad_20]

I don't think it's an open and shut case either. There are some things Pop definitely does better. I merely argue against the idea that Pop is obviously better because Phil Jackson is an overrated gravy-trainer.

I totally agree.

BTW are the girls in the above sig of age, jeez.

[Beast]

Pop is not the best coach in the league.

Phil Jackson... Jerry Sloan... then Pop. Don't get bias now.

phil jax= nothing but a GRAVY TRAINER!! when he was playing in the NBA, ever since he's been coaching the NBA, even in his personal life!! phil is NOT the best coach BY FAR, sorry!!

[E20]

Doc Rivers > Phil Jackson

[Pucho!!!]

toss up between pop and phil, either way you're in a good spot.

First of all, nice pic , but no, I'd have to disagree it seems that Phil has been runnin the same stuff since the jordan days, which makes him more of a situational coach meaning the situation has to be rite (must have a prolific sg). Pop has evolved his system, tweaking it with every addition. The system he ran with david and tim is somewhat different from that which he runs now (more guard play, small ball).

[underdawg]

Pau Gasol is not a superstar, but rather only an All-Star; so I'd say the best Phil Jackson has done without 2 superstars is to make it to the NBA Finals.

I disagree - Gasol (up until the finals) has played like a superstar. He's been undefendable for the most part in the playoffs. There's been nothing done by Phil to make that happen - Gasol hangs out by the rim and get's dunks and tip-ins. What magical strategy did Phil employ to make that happen? If you think for a second that Gasol hasn't been one of the best big men in the playoffs, you are suffering from denial. Fact is that Phil has had nothing to do with the gifts he's been given for players. Is that his offense that he's running? Are you going to tell me that he's come up with a masterplan on defense? Please tell me why and how Phil is such a great coach.

[mikekim]

yeah...IronMexican...time for a sig change.

I'll have to agree with what some have said in here. They're different coaches for different teams/situations. Phil is a "superstars' coach." I see him as having more of a psychological/motivator skill-set, along with his coaching ability, which is pretty damn good.

Pop, I think, is clearly a better "X's and O's" coach. He knows the game and can get the better plan out there than Phil. He doesn't put up with any of the crap from players though. And that's where he falls short to Phil. He doesn't have the skill, or concern, to coax talent out of his players. The "relational" aspect. And like it or not, that is a significant part of coaching.

Pop is the better pure basketball coach. Phil is not as good at pure-basketball, X's and O's...but he has Tex Winter to help him on that. And he's a much better motivator and diplomat as a coach.

Of course, I have tons more respect for Pop. While I have had issues with his no-nonsense, "my way or the highway" approach....it's refreshing to see a team that doesn't pander or bend to these millionaire athletes. I like the mature, professional team culture that's come out of it.

[angelbelow]

its probably phil right now, and hes got the medal to prove it.

[lebomb]

THAT!!!!! Phil is NOT a better coach than Pop. Especially after that asswhoopin he absorbed last night. What a joke!!!! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Phil Jackson EXPOSED! lol!!11lollzzz!

[RobinsontoDuncan]

I also think that Ironmexican should change the sig.... those girls look no older that 14

[ballhog]

Pop is not a whiner like Phil.