“The strongest choices require strongest wills.” Thanos could not have been more accurate about the reality of the situation that one has to face in certain circumstances. However, the choice that the mad titan made was obviously questionable. So when Shaquille O’Neal recently faced a similar situation of making a hard choice in connection with Gregg Popovich, he ensured to pick what could be the best possible scenario for the 4x NBA All-Star coach who has been dealing with health issues recently.
For those unaware, Pop suffered a mild stroke in November last year. And now Shams Charania has reported that the 5x NBA champ will likely not return for this season as he’s still recovering. A tragic update for the San Antonio Spurs fans! The true fans, however, would have no option but to wish that Gregg Popovich stays healthy off the court rather than be involved in the game and suffer.
Quite hard to not want to see a legend of the game away from it but even Shaquille O’Neal is ready to make that choice for the betterment of the 4x NBA All-Star coach. Thanks to a heartfelt gesture the coach once did for Shaq years ago.
“I never talked about growing up. Couldn’t really afford a lot of shoes. My father went to the Spurs organization because I had a guy, Chuck Nevitt, who had size 20. My father had a conversation with Coach Popovich. Coach Popovich gave him three pair of shoes,” O’Neal said. “So I’ve always loved him and respected him for that. And I’d rather see him healthy and alive and here on earth rather than coaching.”
Shaq and the Tuesday Crew send their well wishes to Coach Popovich pic.twitter.com/yTcgE2eZK0
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 26, 2025
Well, that’s the kind of impact Gregg Popovich has had—not just on basketball, but on people. And while his absence is tough, the Spurs still have reasons to be optimistic. Despite a shaky .429 record, rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama has started clicking with veteran guard Chris Paul, forming an exciting pick-and-roll duo. And to spice things up, San Antonio made a blockbuster move at the deadline, landing former All-Star De’Aaron Fox.
But for now, the Spurs have a huge issue to address with Pop’s return being less likely.
Could the Spurs soon be getting a new head coach?
Gregg Popovich has been the heart and soul of the San Antonio Spurs for decades. But what happens if he decides to step away? That’s the big question looming over the franchise. If Popovich retires, the Spurs will have a major decision to make—who will be the next head coach to lead them back to championship glory?
If a change is coming, names Mike Brown, Mike Budenholzer, Will Hardy, and more could soon be floating around as potential successors. For those unaware, Brown made headlines when he helped the Kings end their 16-year playoff drought in 2022, turning “light the beam” into a movement. He looked like a long-term piece in Sacramento, but things took a shocking turn when he was fired after just 31 games this season. Could San Antonio be his next stop?
Well, Brown’s coaching resume is solid—he’s been at the helm for the Cavaliers, Lakers, and Kings, even guiding LeBron James to the 2007 NBA Finals. And let’s not forget, he was a Spurs assistant in the early 2000s, making a potential return feel like a full-circle moment.
Then there’s Budenholzer, a key piece of the Spurs’ coaching staff from 1994 to 2013. He helped San Antonio win four rings before launching his own head coaching career. He turned the Hawks into contenders and led the Bucks to a championship. Could he do the same for the Spurs? Well, for now, all eyes are on Gregg Popovich. Will he stay, or is a new era about to begin in San Antonio? We’ll just have to wait and see.
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