The United States senior men’s national team enters the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup with the weight of the world on its shoulder. Being the hunted is a familiar position for Team USA after being so dominant for nearly 20 years. But the rest of the world is catching up, and winning a gold medal … [Read more…]
Prior to being traded to the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant was asked about how the Brooklyn Nets were able to right the ship after a disastrous start. Durant had a simple explanation for the resurgence. “What we did was simplify both ends of the basketball,” Durant said. “Shored up our roles individually. Coach shored up … [Read more…]
If there were any doubts that Kevin Durant was back near the top of list of best basketball players in the world, they were all extinguished during the 2021 NBA playoffs and the 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo. Durant was nothing short of spectacular during the men’s basketball tournament at the Saitama Super Arena in … [Read more…]
To say that USA Basketball had a rocky training camp heading into the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo would be an understatement. The senior men’s national team lost its first two exhibition games in Las Vegas, had three players enter the health and safety COVID protocols, and two players dropped out. Even head coach Gregg … [Read more…]
Gregg Popovich became Papa-vich almost immediately after Team USA’s win over Poland on the final day of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. What should have been the culmination of another USA dominance at the World Cup turned into a sad post-mortem following the worst finish by an American squad in an Olympic or World … [Read more…]
Ask any basketball reporter and they will tell you their two greatest fears are being denied a free pregame meal and interviewing Gregg Popovich. Popovich is undeniably one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. He helped build a model franchise in San Antonio, and he’ll likely find himself in the Naismith Basketball Hall of … [Read more…]
For almost two decades, the San Antonio Spurs have accumulated an impressive collection of rings, bronze hardware and gold trophies. Between future Hall-of-Famers Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, and head coach Gregg Popovich, the Spurs have combined for 18 NBA championship rings, three most valuable player awards, three Coach of the Year awards … [Read more…]
When San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich unleashed Kawhi Leonard, the 2014 NBA Finals turned into a one-sided contest. Leonard looked like a different player after a disappointing Game 2. He scored a playoff-career high 29 points in Game 3 and followed that up with a 20-point, 14-rebound effort in Game 4. The Spurs won … [Read more…]
You can see the disappointment in Tim Duncan’s face. You can hear the frustration in Manu Ginobili’s voice. When members of the 2012-13 San Antonio Spurs look back at this season they will play the “what if” game. What if we made our free throws down the stretch? What if we grabbed two more defensive … [Read more…]
Gregg Popovich is old enough to be Erik Spoelstra’s dad. If the 2013 NBA Finals came down to experience and guile, Popovich would win hands down if you put a wager on basketball. You can bet US fans will pick Pop in a heartbeat. Popovich, 64, is the Garry Kasparov of coaches. He may be … [Read more…]