The San Antonio Spurs honored Gregg Popovich at the Frost Bank Center.
The San Antonio Spurs put up a banner honoring Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich without telling anyone.
Somewhere, Popovich is smiling.
The Spurs raised Popovich's banner next to Tony Parker's. Popovich's banner has the number 1,390, representing the number of games he won during his legendary coaching career with San Antonio.
Popovich is arguably the greatest head coach in NBA history. He led the Spurs to five NBA championships.
"Very Pop-esque," Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said. "Obviously, what an honor to have him included with that group. Can't say enough in terms of 29 years as the head coach, longer with the organization, five championships.
"Everything that you see here or have heard regarding this organization, he has his handprints all over it. Just the amount of dedication, time and energy he put into so many things that [are] never for public consumption or are even known by people in the organization -- the players, the importance of everything, how we do everything, the attention to detail, the consistency, the love, blood sweat and tears we put into it."
Popovich went 1,390-824 in the regular season and 170-114 in the playoffs with the Spurs, who won titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.
"I've been blessed to have [Popovich's leadership] now for years in a lot of different roles and as our relationship has grown over time," Johnson said. "But he's been that for so many people in so many moments and times and situations. It's one of his special powers for sure."
Popovich was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last year. He’s a three-time NBA Coach of the Year (2002-03, 2011-12, 2013-14) and led Team USA to a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 2021.
Popovich is the Spurs' team president now. He retired from coaching after suffering a stroke in November.
“I can never express the gratitude that I have for so many people caring about the organization and sending me thoughts and prayers, that sort of thing, since I had this stroke,” Popovich said in May after Johnson was named the head coach. “Things are getting better by the day, but it’s not good enough for what we plan ahead, so it’s time to make this change.”