1,422 wins. Five championships. Twenty-nine unforgettable seasons. Gregg Popovich didn’t just coach basketball—he transformed it. Over 2,291 games, more than any coach in NBA history, Pop built a legacy defined by excellence, trust, and quiet discipline. His “stonecutter” mantra—chipping away day by day until the stone breaks—wasn’t just a philosophy. It was the heartbeat of the Spurs, powering 22 straight winning seasons and a culture that valued persistence over flash.
When Inside the NBA paid tribute, the numbers faded behind something deeper: admiration. Shaquille O’Neal’s voice cracked as he recalled growing up in San Antonio, when his family struggled to afford shoes. “Pop being military, him being military, they hit it off,” Shaq said of his father’s connection with Pop. “Pop gave us a couple pair of shoes. I’ve always had respect and admiration for him… just a better man. I’m sad we’re not going to be seeing him on the court. But Pop, thank you, brother. Appreciate you very much.”
And Charles Barkley summed it up with grace: “I just want to thank him for his service… and everything he did for the game.”
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The post Shaquille O’Neal & Inside the NBA Fellas Break Silence on Gregg Popovich’s Announcement on Spurs HC Retirement appeared first on EssentiallySports.
