Gregg Popovich is widely considered to be the best coach in the NBA, and his four championship rings and string of 14 consecutive 50-win seasons make that point hard to debate. But the Spurs’ coach has an advantage over the rest of his colleagues.
On a crucial possession in the Spurs’ win over the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, Popovich did not even bother to address his team. All he did was confer with his point guard, Tony Parker, who relayed the message to the players on the bench. While Popovich and his assistants huddled on the court during the stoppage, Parker and Tim Duncan coached up their teammates on what to do in the ensuing defensive possession.
That type of veteran leadership was the difference in Game 1 and could be the difference in this series.
Check out Parker and Duncan’s coaching in the video below.
