NBA official correction of Popovich s coaching record: The legend and inheritance of the first coach in history

The story behind the record correction

In January 2024, the NBA officially adjusted Greg Popovich's coaching record, removing the 77 games he missed for health reasons in the 2022-23 season (32 wins and 45 losses) from his personal coaching record. The NBA official website emphasized that the coaching achievements of these games should be attributed to the acting head coach "Mickey Johnson". After adjustment, Popovich's total regular season record was frozen at 1,390 wins and 824 losses, and his winning rate increased from 60.2% to 62.8%. In NBA history, "It's like a university professor taking a long-term sick leave and then taught by a substitute teacher, and these courses are naturally not considered under the name of the original professor."

Popovich's Legendary Road

Popovich's Legendary Road

Popovich led second place Don Nelson 55 wins in 1,390 wins. StatMuse data shows that in 26 full seasons Popovich coached the Spurs, the winning rate exceeded 60% in 22 seasons. His coaching achievements include that the only head coach who has won the championship in three different decades has entered the playoffs for 22 consecutive years (1998-2019), setting a North American professional sports record. He not only knows how to win, but is also good at cultivating talents. From Duncan to Parker, from Ginobili to Leonard, the players he has carefully trained have all been marked with the unique Spurs mark.

Inheritance and Reconstruction: A new chapter for the Spurs

In 2023, Popovich was transferred to the Spurs' president of basketball operations, and the coaching staff was taken over by Mickey Johnson. This successor, who has been an assistant coach for 8 years at the Spurs, has demonstrated his coaching ability in the 2022-23 season.

The Spurs in the 2023-24 seasons, although the record is mediocre, there is the No. 1 pick Xiuwen Ban Yama, who is gradually starting to shine. Judging from the current salary structure of the Spurs, the team is gradually accumulating energy to prepare for future development.

Controversy and Thoughts: How to evaluate the greatness of the coach, the correction of the

record has sparked discussion. Former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy said: "There is no doubt about Popovich's excellence, but it is indeed a bit unfair to attribute all achievements to one person. The website of

Basketball-Reference tried to "coaches share record" to contribute some new ideas to evaluating coaches.

Popovich's coaching career, from taking over the Spurs in 1996 to establishing a dynasty spanning more than 20 years, as he often said: "The game will end and the championship will fade, but the culture established will remain forever." "Now the Spurs are writing a new chapter, and Popovich's legend will continue in another way.