In the world of NBA greatness, it’s not uncommon for legends to recognize one another. Whether Kobe Bryant salutes Michael Jordan or Kevin Durant pays homage to Dirk Nowitzki, there’s something special about icons giving each other their flowers.
Now, as the basketball world reflects on the end of one of the most decorated coaching careers in history, LeBron James has taken a moment to speak candidly about a man who shaped a part of the NBA—Gregg Popovich.
James Gives His Flowers to Popovich
Coming off a frustrating postseason exit with the Los Angeles Lakers, James didn’t waste time reflecting on the bigger picture. In the latest episode of his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash, James opened up about Popovich, who recently stepped down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after a remarkable 29-year run.
“What can you say? You talk about the superlatives when it comes to Coach Pop, his list is out of this world,” said James during his podcast.
Rather than just discussing the accolades and championships, James gave fans a peek into a side of Popovich that’s rarely seen—a more human, personal version of the coaching legend.
“But I think what a lot of people have found out, if you ever got the opportunity to encounter a one-on-one with him or even just in crossing, how great of a guy that guy is. And it makes sense how unbelievable of a coach he was because of the person he was,” added James during the podcast.
James has every reason to speak with authority on the subject. His career has been directly impacted by Popovich’s Spurs on some of the biggest stages in basketball. Their paths crossed in three NBA Finals, creating a legacy of battles that defined an era. In 2007, a young James—just in his fourth season led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first Finals appearance, only to be swept by Popovich’s seasoned and disciplined squad. That humbling experience was a defining moment for James, one that lit the fire for future triumphs.
Fast forward to 2013 and James now with the Miami Heat, had grown into a full-fledged superstar. In a hard-fought seven-game series, he led his team to a narrow victory over the Spurs, a win that required everything he had—physically and mentally.
But Popovich wasn’t finished. The very next year, his Spurs returned with precision and purpose, dismantling the Heat in just five games and reclaiming the crown with a style of basketball that was as beautiful as it was brutal.
But James was not always on the opposite side of Popovich. Though their NBA battles were fierce, the two also at times played on the same sideline in international competition. Notably during the 2004 Athens Olympics, Popovich was the assistant coach for the men’s national team that would also feature a young James who was at the start of his professional career.
As the basketball world says goodbye to Popovich’s coaching era, moments like this are a reminder of how much these legends mean to the game and to each other.
The Greatness of Coach Pop
Popovich isn’t just any coach but he’s a legend. With 1,422 regular-season wins, Popovich holds the record as the most winningest coach in NBA history.
His remarkable journey began in 1988 when he joined the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach. After a brief stint as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, Popovich returned to San Antonio in 1994 to take on the roles of general manager and vice president of basketball operations.
Just two years later, in 1996, he appointed himself head coach, beginning a dynasty that would define Spurs basketball for decades.
This season, however, has been unlike any other. Popovich was notably absent from the bench for most of the year. He managed to coach only five games before suffering a stroke on November 2 at the Frost Bank Center.
After months of uncertainty, the Spurs announced in February that he would not be returning for the remainder of the season to focus on recovery.
Now as mentioned previously Popovich has stepped down as head coach, but not from the organization. This month, he officially took on the role of team president. On Monday, the Spurs announced that Mitch Johnson would be promoted to head coach, marking the beginning of a new era in San Antonio.