Hoopsworld: Pop signing extension?

[justinandimcool]

Pop Sticking Around: San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and franchise player Tim Duncan had things positioned perfectly to fittingly walk away from the game of basketball at the same time. Both of their contracts expire after next season, but that could change soon for Popovich.

According to Johnny Ludden of Yahoo! Sports an extension for Popovich is all but a formality at this point. Within the last year the Spurs have also locked up star guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to long-term extensions and both of them wanted to make sure that Popovich would continue to be their coach.

"I kind of feel I have to commit to those guys," said Popovich.

With four championships as a head coach Popovich is going to have a job with the Spurs for as long as he wants one, whether it be as a coach or a consultant. He recently suggested the idea of eventually making the transition back to the front office to owner Peter Holt, but he wasn't ready to sign off on that.

"He suggested that maybe he could have some kind of consulting role," acknowledged Holt. "I told him I didn't need a consultant; I need a coach."

As long as Popovich is the coach the Spurs figure to be in pretty good shape, although they are undoubtedly going to take a step backwards once Duncan retires. Replacing Duncan is going to be far from easy because not only is he the greatest power forward to ever play the game, he's also the most ideal leader a franchise could ever want.

Duncan helped create a culture of hard work and dedication by giving it everything he had in every practice and game. Duncan's high level of commitment demanded that everyone else on the team do the same.

Playing 13 years in the NBA takes its toll on player, though, and Duncan is reaching the end of his illustrious career.

"I would love to play until the wheels come off, but that's not how it goes," said Duncan. "I want to play at a high level and I want to be able to play well. If that's not the case, then it might be better for me to walk away."

Despite averaging career-low numbers across the board it's still clear that Duncan is a high-level player for the Spurs. He'll be at his best come playoff time when the team needs him the most. As for now, Parker and Ginobili will continue to carry the heavy load. They've done a great job so far, leaving a lot of reason to be optimistic about the post-Duncan era – especially now that Coach Pop has decided to delay his retirement.


http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18199#ixzz18L8mEqUl

[duncan228]

The Ludden piece is here if anyone missed it.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168306

[ChuckD]

Fabbs weeps.

[spursfan1000]

I would love for POP to get a extension.

[spurspokesman]

I would love for POP to get a extension.

I have my gripes but he is a good coach and one of the best in the business. War pop.

[Dex]

Duncan won't be here if Pop isn't here.

That being said, sign him up as soon as you possibly can.

[TDMVPDPOY]

only reason pop might sign that extention

his lover bonner still has 2 more years, he has to stick around for another 2 years

thats another 2 years fans have to stick up with....

[Nathan Explosion]

You think the Spurs could talk to the cheapest owner in the league and "convince" him to give up Blake Griffin? That would make the after-Duncan era a lot easier to transition to.