Popovich: 'If We Don't Win, I Should Be Fired'

[DAF86]

He was joking. As in not being serious. You can't make conclusions from a joke. He said about a dozen times that the Lakers are the favorites in his summer league interview.

I know that he was joking but every joke holds some truth in it (or behind it or whatever)

In this case that truth could be that Pop thinks this Spurs team (when healthy) is the favorite to win the 'ship. Even though if he never admits it in a serious tone.

[ejay82]

I take it as he means he will be hurt from a coaching stand point if he doesnt bring home the finals. He hasnt had this much talent ever maybe except in 1999 but i think we are more talented than that team. RC had us short handed the past few years and we have been close to winning the championship. But now we are easily top 3 best teams in the nba on paper. So i see a 62+ win season and a number 1 seed because Duncan can play less min during the season with this level of talent and be a 30 and 10 guy in the playoffs.

[Russ]

Apart from Pop's smart ass remark, I do believe this Spurs team should win at least 60 games. (And for that matter, Pop's sense of humor sometimes perks up when he's feeling good.)

[wisnub]

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich likes the moves the team has made so far this offseason.

"If we don't win it, I should probably be fired," Popovich told NBA.com.

However, he added that the Spurs will only go as far a healthy Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili next season.

what do you think?
i know he's quirky, and a known press bull ter and joker, but do you think he could be serious?

I agree with Pop. If everyone healthy and gel together..Spurs should win it. If not, I dont see any problems that Pop may enjoy early retirement...every time you see Popovich face its looks like he needs some vacation time

[mytespurs]

I agree with Pop. If everyone healthy and gel together..Spurs should win it. If not, I dont see any problems that Pop may enjoy early retirement...every time you see Popovich face its looks like he needs some vacation time

"Should" does not equal "will". Even if everything falls into place (Blair, the offseason free agent signings, Tim & Manu 100%) doesn't guarantee that the Spurs will win a championship. So many things can happen in a 82 game season and the playoffs......

[iggypop123]

not good news for the popovich family

[Spursfan092120]

Everybody settle down..dude's got a sense of humor..

[jag]

I'm more surprised by the amount of people that were down to stick Avery in the HC spot.

[angelbelow]

Haha

[Man In Black]

A) He is still the Executive Vice-President Of Basketball Operations. He'd have to fire himself to get fired.

B) Pop would never ever let his team go in thinking that "It's in the bag." Remember, his players, for the most part, are players who have gotten over themselves. Team guys who understand that they have a defined role to play and need to stick to that role.

C) "Appropriate Fear." It's a term that Pop uses on his team to get them to understand that if they don't respect the capabilities of the opponent, that could undermine their chances at victory. Instilling the Lakers as the best, gives the Spurs are target. And for whatever reason, the Spurs are better hunters than they are at being hunted.

[Obstructed_View]

He was joking. As in not being serious. You can't make conclusions from a joke. He said about a dozen times that the Lakers are the favorites in his summer league interview.

A joke it most certainly was. However, Pop doesn't make jokes like that without some message behind it.

[Seventyniner]

A joke it most certainly was. However, Pop doesn't make jokes like that without some message behind it.

This.

It was a double-edged statement. To the players, it will come off as a joke, because Pop is sarcastic like this all the time. However, it also tells the players that Pop believes that this is a championship-level squad.

[JudynTX]

Hey Pop, how about just a fine?

[SpursFan0728]

A) He is still the Executive Vice-President Of Basketball Operations. He'd have to fire himself to get fired.

I think he is the President of Basketball Operations.

[Fabbs]

not good news for the popovich family

iggypop who is this girl?

[TDMVPDPOY]

iggypop who is this girl?

popovichs daughter

[lotr1trekkie]

I agree--- if the Big 3 are healthy- the Spurs now have the horses to go all the way. We have a nucleus of Tim, Tony, Manu, RJ, DICE. Add subs Hill, Mason, Bonner and Finley. Add young guns Blair, Hairston, Mahimni. Haislip and Williams. Pop has a much deeper, talented, althletic team than last year.

[Sisk]

I'm more surprised by the amount of people that were down to stick Avery in the HC spot.

that's what i was thinking

i wouldn't want aj here coaching duncan who he played alongside with..

[Lakers999]

cya later pop....

[vander]

So he thinks the Spurs are bigger contender than LA? I don't know about that.

Spurs vs. LA
2009 vs. 2010

SA
in 2010
Hill will be better, Pop will stop misusing him and sabotaging him
Mason will be better, Pop will stop misusing him and sabotaging him
Manu will be MUCH better, being that we didn't have him playoffs, which is all I'm concerned with here
RJ will be MUCH better than Finley/Bowen/Ime
TD will be a little better as long as his tendon thing heals and stays healed
Bonner could potentially be better, with a healthy Manu and RJ, his looks should more open, and his confidence should build after last season.
Blair should easily replace Gooden, could even be better
McDyess will be better than KT/Fabs

we will be better at almost every position in 2010

LA
in 2010
Kobe has peaked, will be the same or start to slow down
Gasol has peaked
Fisher is fading
Ariza/Artest is a wash
Odom 10 < Odom 09, at ude problem will get worse
Bynum should be better
Farmar, Walton, Brown, Vujucic: there could be some improvements here, but I doubt it.

LA will only be better if Bynum finally starts living up to the hype, other than that they will be no better than last year, perhaps worse.

[iggypop123]

iggypop who is this girl?

son that is Olivia Munn

[roycrikside]

He was joking. As in not being serious. You can't make conclusions from a joke. He said about a dozen times that the Lakers are the favorites in his summer league interview.

If the Lakers don't resign Odom, then I don't know how in all seriousness they could be seen as favorites. They've lost Ariza, they might lose Odom, and they added Artest, which in my mind is like losing three players. Anyone seen Artest actually play? He hasn't been an asset since he started fancying himself an offensive player back in his Sacramento days. The guy takes more awful shots than anyone in the league. Wasn't he like 4 for 20 in every game against the Lakers in the playoffs?

The more the ball is in his hands and not in Kobe's or Gasol's, the better it is for everyone else in the league.

[Fabbs]

popovichs daughter

She does bear a slight resemblance to Michael Finley.

iggypoop

son that is Olivia Munn

Googled her pics. This one you posted here on ST is by far her best pic.
The rest of hers i saw, meh.

[rayray2k8]

He was obviously joking, but if the spurs do come home empty handed next season, should they consider it? (Yes, I am joking)
Then again, if Bonner and Finely somehow end up with the same minutes and Mason becomes the backup PG again...
I don't think considering it, would be a bad idea because of the bonehead moves..

[ChumpDumper]

So are you joking or not?