Gregg Popovich is one of the personalities likely to join the Hall of Fame in 2023. Like Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Pau Gasol and Becky Hammon, the name of the coach has thus been declared eligible for the Pantheon. From now on, he must pass the selection process, even if it is difficult to see Springfield refusing him entry…
“It’s not something you think about growing up or while training”, he assures the San Antonio Express-News. “It’s not something you aspire to. It’s out of the realm of possibility. You are just doing your job. It’s not a priority, that’s for sure.
A coach does not start his career on the NBA benches with the first objective of joining the Hall of Fame. But for Gregg Popovich, assistant in the league since 1988, “head coach” at Spurs since 1996, five-time champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014), three-time Coach of the Year (2003, 2012 and 2014) and the winningest coach in league history (1,354 regular season wins), it has become a fact.
“To be nominated for something like this, regardless of the group, it’s flattering and quite incredible”continued Gregg Popovich. “These guys are wonderful, that’s for sure.”
Next year, Gregg Popovich could join Tim Duncan, inducted in 2020, and Manu Ginobili, inducted in 2022, along with the third member of his “Big Three”, Tony Parker.
Perhaps the reason why the 73-year-old coach finally agreed to be among the eligible personalities. Unlike players, a coach does not need to be retired to enter the Hall of Fame. It is simply necessary that he has celebrated his 60th birthday, and that he has trained, as an assistant or “head coach”, in high school and/or at university and/or at the professional level for at least 25 years.
Having started his career on the benches in 1973, Gregg Popovich has therefore technically been eligible for the Hall of Fame for a very long time. But until now, he had refused advances from the Springfield Hall of Fame…
