Truth & Rumors > NBA
Did Gregg Popovich hurt his chances of coaching Team USA?
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10:05 AM ET 12.01 | While waiting for that $250,000 fine that Gregg Popovich and the Spurs ultimately incurred Friday night, wondering like everyone else about what sort of precedents will be set leaguewide now that San Antonio's bill has been sent, I found myself fixated just as much on the other big Pop story that will play out before the playoffs. Popovich's chances, namely, of being named Team USA's next coach. Or as conspiracy theorists would surely put it: Will the most public wedge ever driven between the commissioner and the famously stubborn coach in his league emerge as a factor that hurts Pop's chances of succeeding Mike Krzyzewski? I so want to believe the GM who insisted to me Friday: "Absolutely, positively not. The league doesn't get in USA Basketball's way like it used to." The final call on who coaches the national team, of course, belongs to USAB chairman Jerry Colangelo. As it has since 2005. The league, though, does get to register its input, which means Stern will have a voice until his Feb. 1, 2014 retirement. It's thus not much of a stretch to imagine the league (re: Stern) lobbying USA Basketball to view this whole chaotic episode, no matter how far Stern overreached, as a prime example of Pop's long-perceived reluctance to be more of a partner with the league office than they've historically been.
Gregg Popovich, Harry How/Getty Images
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Comments (48) Add A Comment
Do What You Do, Bro.
I Love LA
Total Comments (5564)
Pop could give a damn, I suspect.
Otis B. Driftwood
Total Comments (30731)
*nods in agreement Apple* A decision like that would be as stupid as the fine was in the first place.
Vocal Point
Europe Via New York City, NY
Total Comments (1466)
Smart and gutsy enough to rest players to avoid injury? And also have developed a bench deep enough to be able to do this and have a chance to win? If anything, Pop improved his chances.
Red Mamba
Total Comments (1196)
Its time for King David to retire, the idea that he can fine a team for not playing players is crazy. Stern, worrying about TV, Sponsership and whatever else at this time makes no sense, when Pop did this the first time then Stern should have reacted, after several times of doing this he finally comes out and whines.
BullySixChicago789
Oxford , MS
Total Comments (35)
Its time for King David to retire, the idea that he can fine a team for not playing players is crazy. Stern, worrying about TV, Sponsership and whatever else at this time makes no sense, when Pop did this the first time then Stern should have reacted, after several times of doing this he finally comes out and whines.
BullySixChicago789
Oxford , MS
Total Comments (35)
$250K isn't overblown...
Otis B. Driftwood
Total Comments (30731)
Hey GB. Yes, good point about Pop being about winning. Stern really blew this one, and now this spills into the selection of the Team USA coach. There are a number of other coaches that are being considered that are just as qualified (Doc Rivers is one). If one of them gets the nod over Pop, then people will say Stern influenced the decision against Pop. Just one more hassle the Team USA coach would have to deal with.
Red Mamba
Total Comments (1196)
Not to side with Stern, but this is an integrity of the game type of thing. Fans buy expensive tickets to see these stars, and putting an inferior product on the field at these prices is a slap in the face to all fans (except SA of course). Not too mention it shows that the regular season games don't mean much.
Its a chicken-crap move by Pop. Lets see him sit those guys for a Home game and see what happens. But he wouldnt do that, as it would decrease the gate proceeds for HIS team.
The NBA needs to take that fine and reimburse every person that had a ticket to that game.
mulzi
Total Comments (142)
So... Do you back Stern or not?
Sittlichk-8
Total Comments (5101)
His keeping Duncan our because of a "DNP - Old" was classic.
Sittlichk-8
Total Comments (5101)
like Pop really cares???
Dogue-dude
Total Comments (22799)
If it were an integrity issue, they wouldn't have had the Spurs playing 4 games in 5 nights.
Otis B. Driftwood
Total Comments (30731)
Like someone said earlier....Does anyone think Pop gives a flying ****? Pop and Stern have been at it for almost a decade....Stern wants drama,chaos and big markets winning for better ratings and thus more revenue....the problem is Pop and the Spurs are against all that nonsense yet keep on winning...no wonder the little wart is pissed. Pop will do what I would do....he will play his stars on back to back like 3 minutes and then tell them to go board a plane just to stick to Stern even more lol!
SD n' LA
Total Comments (24645)
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! :-)
The Oldtimer
Total Comments (23276)
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