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I beg to differ. If there's ever been a case for "counter" intelligence, it's the CIA.
interesting. Thanks. Pretty much what I expected. He and Nash should get together and talk politics, though something tells me they won't agree
I beg to differ. If there's ever been a case for "counter" intelligence, it's the CIA.
Thanks Irish.
Laid back COUCH?
I just found this online...I seem to recall reading somewhere that this guy used to be a counterintelligence agent. Is that true? A Suns fan on another board said that if there were a terrorist attack at a Spurs game, Pop would go Bruce Willis in Diehard and single-handedly defeat the enemy.
Wanna know why D’Antoni never gets a tech? It’s ‘cause the refs find him more amusing than threatening. He’s like Chaplain in the The Great Dictator. Don’t tell me you’ve never burst out laughing watching his red-faced antics. Dude is hilarious. I'm sure the refs agree.
Pop, on the other hand, is downright frightening. A wink or a nod from Pop and the refs will smarten up right quick.
I also like Pop’s post-game comments. He gives proper respect to Nash and the Suns, unlike a certain Phil Jackson who just blames the “scrubs” under his power, trying to prop up his own ego.
Still, I’d really hate to play for this tough-as-nails mother er.
I don’t even think Phoenix NEEDS a coach. D’antoni himself has said as much. He lets Nash make almost all of the decisions (without the almost, Phoenix would undoubtedly be a better team). His role is basically to say “stay on the glass!” and “run, run, run!” Part of that is false modesty, but at the same time I think he’s basically telling the truth.
Now Pop on the other hand, this guy’s drawing up plans like he’s about to invade North Korea.
Question: which method do you think is more effective? A laid back couch who turns into a freak during game time, or a brutal tactician who becomes laid back during game time but who you know might strap you to a waterboard afterwards?
Or does it matter much at all?
Personally I think it’s mostly just a matter of talent and focus by the players. Either style will work provided the coach does the basic job on matchups. Honest opinion: I think the most effective means of "coaching" is encouragement and support, not punishment. Studies would seem to confirm this (see Alfie Kohn). Positive reinforcement has proved more effective in the long run than negative. The Spurs have INCREDIBLE talent. Is it possible they would do even better if Pop toned down the USMC stuff?
Still, I’d like to learn more aboutPop. I tried Wiki but it was like one paragraph long. What do Spurs fans think of their coach?
Thanks in advance.
"Really, the only thing on my mind at that point was I wanted to be in counterintelligence and do whatever that meant," the San Antonio Spurs coach says.
Air Force grad Popovich still flies under radar
By Greg Boeck, USA TODAY
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — When Gregg Popovich graduated from the Air Force Academy with a degree in Soviet studies in 1970, he wanted to match wits with the Russians, not opposing coaches.
At the time, basketball was an avocation, not a vocation.
He never made it to the Cold War as a spy, however. A general who knew of his basketball background at the Air Force Academy — he was the team's leading scorer and captain as a senior — assigned him to the U.S. Armed Forces team that was touring Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Two years later, he captained the U.S. Armed Forces team that won the AAU championship and in 1973 returned to the Academy as an assistant coach.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baske...ir-force_x.htm
There's more to this article, but this answers your question.
yeah! Back in 03' Pop was always getting in Manu's face and Manu got the message and played spectacular. Now? Now Pop hardly says anything and Manu has played like .
But the thing is, players want to play for him. Players AND coaches respect him. And that is a huge factor.
Was it not also Pop's suggestion to have the players' families join them in their charter jet? True, he may be a disciplinarian when it comes to basketball, but he sure knows how to value family relationship.
If Pop when shooters go, so was CIA.
I remember seeing that somewhere, but can't seem to recall.
Ducks?
The refs see him more like Foghorn Leghorn. Part Cotton Fitzsimmons, part 7-year-old boy.
Since the Suns are the consensus NBA vote for most difficult team to prepare for (because the Suns don't run plays), I fail to see why D'Antoni letting Nash run free form somehow makes D'Antoni less of a coach. If Nellie had done more of that in Dallas, the Mavs might have raised a trophy by now. They didn't know what they had.
The Suns also have one of the most respected staffs in basketball. Iavaroni is the current hot candidate for job openings, and Alvin Gentry is up there. Dan D'Antoni is directly credited for the growth of Barbosa.
I always believe that Pop will get the team where it's talent will take it. He is a master tactician and strategist, regardless of what you read here from our fickle fans. Without Pop, we don't make the playoffs. The Suns, on the other hand, make the playoffs because they have a talented team and a coach who wouldn't dare get in their way, and I am only repeating what D'Antoni said recently.
You'd be surprised. Someone posted on here that Popovich contributed the maximum amount to John Edwards in the last election cycle.interesting. Thanks. Pretty much what I expected. He and Nash should get together and talk politics, though something tells me they won't agree
And here I will reaffirm my lasting crush on Pop--he, Manu and TD are my favorite Spurs because they're smart, humble, gracious to other teams, focused on winning and not on "personality issues" and all the other crapola that often accompanies a team.
Popovich isn't as authoritarian as he appears--his whole basketball philosophy is about the team as the most important element of the game (that and defense), not one leader laying down the law. Yes, he may have some outbursts here and there, but he wouldn't get the devotion he does from his players if he were a tyrant.
Nuff ing said. Pop haters can all go root for Dallas...
that's where u wrong. Pop is smart and educated, they would agree on a lot of things.He and Nash should get together and talk politics, though something tells me they won't agree
Dude, didn't you know your name is supposed to be spelled, D-e-r-o-n?
Was there ever a translation for this?
I seem to recall reading somewhere that this guy used to be a counterintelligence agent. Is that true? A Suns fan on another board said that if there were a terrorist attack at a Spurs game, Pop would go Bruce Willis in Diehard and single-handedly defeat the enemy.
Wanna know why D’Antoni never gets a tech? It’s ‘cause the refs find him more amusing than threatening. He’s like Chaplain in the The Great Dictator. Don’t tell me you’ve never burst out laughing watching his red-faced antics. Dude is hilarious. I'm sure the refs agree.
Pop, on the other hand, is downright frightening. A wink or a nod from Pop and the refs will smarten up right quick.
I also like Pop’s post-game comments. He gives proper respect to Nash and the Suns, unlike a certain Phil Jackson who just blames the “scrubs” under his power, trying to prop up his own ego.
Still, I’d really hate to play for this tough-as-nails mother er.
I don’t even think Phoenix NEEDS a coach. D’antoni himself has said as much. He lets Nash make almost all of the decisions (without the almost, Phoenix would undoubtedly be a better team). His role is basically to say “stay on the glass!” and “run, run, run!” Part of that is false modesty, but at the same time I think he’s basically telling the truth.
Now Pop on the other hand, this guy’s drawing up plans like he’s about to invade North Korea.
Question: which method do you think is more effective? A laid back couch who turns into a freak during game time, or a brutal tactician who becomes laid back during game time but who you know might strap you to a waterboard afterwards?
Or does it matter much at all?
Personally I think it’s mostly just a matter of talent and focus by the players. Either style will work provided the coach does the basic job on matchups. Honest opinion: I think the most effective means of "coaching" is encouragement and support, not punishment. Studies would seem to confirm this (see Alfie Kohn). Positive reinforcement has proved more effective in the long run than negative. The Spurs have INCREDIBLE talent. Is it possible they would do even better if Pop toned down the USMC stuff?
Still, I’d like to learn more aboutPop. I tried Wiki but it was like one paragraph long. What do Spurs fans think of their coach?
Thanks in advance.
which style you like depends on the RESULTS you're looking for
I remember seeing that somewhere, but can't seem to recall.
Ducks?http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6243&
Was there ever a translation for this?
Damn, S y, you were even part of the original conversation.
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