Gregg Popovich story involving Dallas Mavericks reporter touches NBA fans’ hearts

Gregg Popovich gave a lifeline to a former Spurs reporter's career that helped him become a Dallas Mavericks reporter later on.

Gregg Popovich story involving Dallas Mavericks reporter touches NBA fans’ hearts

Gregg Popovich (Image via Imagn)

Legendary San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was confirmed to have moved on from coaching on Friday, May 2nd. The septagenarian’s impact on the NBA has been second to none over the past 29 years. His departure from his sideline role has left every member of the NBA fan fraternity moved.

Popovich won five NBA championships and made it to six NBA finals during his tenure as head coach. He led the Spurs to 20 straight 50-win seasons, as well as 22 straight postseason campaigns. The Spurs legend groomed numerous championship role players alongside Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker during their peak, and was involved in several classic playoff matchups as the Spurs’ X-factor.

Over the years, Popovich also mentored a number of head coaches under his wing as assistants. The likes of Mike Budenholzer, Ime Udoka, Brett Brown, Will Hardy, Quin Snyder and James Borrego all emerged from the Spurs’ brain trust and have had varying degrees of success in the league. As good a coach as Popovich is, though, he is an even better human being.

Popovich built a brand of abrasiveness with reporters during post-game press conferences and other media sessions. However, despite his unwillingness to divulge team strategies, Popovich was eminently fair to journalists behind the scenes. Veteran NBA reporter Brad Townsend, who currently works on the Dallas Mavericks beat, reported one amazing incident from his Spurs tenure.

Townsend worked with a San Antonio newspaper for over eight years at the start of his career. After the organization went defunct, Townsend found himself looking for a new job. Having noted his coverage of the team, Popovich, who was an assistant under Don Nelson with the Warriors, gave the reporter advance notice about his return to the Spurs in 1994.

However, Townsend, who worked in Houston at the time for the interim, passed this news on to a Dallas colleague. This piece of inside information was then used by him to earn a recommendation and join the Dallas Morning News. Townsend has worked for this newspaper for 31 years since this incident, covering several eras of Dallas basketball.

The veteran NBA reporter shared this story with a tweet in the hours that followed Popovich’s retirement announcement.

Victor Wembanyama pens an emotional Gregg Popovich tribute

Frenchman Victor Wembanyama was Popovich’s pet project over the past two seasons. The 2023 No. 1 draft pick came into the league with GOAT-level projections and expectations. Popovich, who helped to bring early success for Tim Duncan, was well on the way to leading Victor Wembanyama and co. to playoff relevance before the youngster was diagnosed with a blood clot that ended his 2024-25 campaign.

Through his first two seasons, Wembanyama became intimately familiar with Popovich’s tendencies and philosophy. The erudite Frenchman ditched the frills of the language and penned a moving, heartfelt letter.

Coach, thank you for your wisdom, for your leadership, for the culture you created… But most importantly for being a great and inspiring person. It was an honor to be a part of those 29 years Wishing you the best on your new chapter.

Victor Wembanyama tweeted after the Gregg Popovich announcement

Popovich has long been rumored to move away from the sidelines after his health started declining. It is a wonder that the five-time champion stayed a head coach for 29 years – the most in league history by far. The team will now look to their own past and anoint a successor to Popovich, who will stay on as the President of Basketball Operations for the time being.

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