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Nowitzki's had his classic battles with the Spurs, including the amazing Game 7 in the 2006 semifinals that propelled Dallas to its first NBA Finals. It was a Spurs team that still included the Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, yet, as Nowitzki pointed out, it is an entirely different style of ball those boys are playing these days, and the reigning NBA Finals MVP says all credit goes to this season's Coach of the Year, Gregg Popovich. "To me, he's the best coach in the league, he's a genius on both ends of the floor," Nowitzki said. "The adjustment that he goes through -- at the beginning they win all their championships with defense, and he saw where the game's going; the game is going to free-flowing and more movement, you need basically four shooters on the floor at all times, and he's the man, he made it all happen. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Dirk Nowitzki, Coaching, Gregg Popovich 

Nowitzki's had his classic battles with the Spurs, including the amazing Game 7 in the 2006 semifinals that propelled Dallas to its first NBA Finals. It was a Spurs team that still included the Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, yet, as Nowitzki pointed out, it is an entirely different style of ball those boys are playing these days and the reigning NBA Finals MVP says all credit goes to this season's Coach of the Year, Gregg Popovich. "To me, he's the best coach in the league, he's a genius on both ends of the floor," Nowitzki said. "The adjustment that he goes through, at the beginning they win all their championships with defense and he saw where the game's going; the game is going to free-flowing and more movement, you need basically four shooters on the floor at all times, and he's the man, he made it all happen. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Dirk Nowitzki, Gregg Popovich 

"With (general manager) R.C. Buford helping him, finding people left and right. I mean, they draft people in the second round that nobody gives them a shot and they turn them into players. They have an amazing franchise and they really do a great job finding people that play well in their system and Pop makes them believe in their system. They're really fun to watch, they're rolling." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Dirk Nowitzki, RC Buford, Gregg Popovich 

Brian Mahoney: Pop was angry that Colangelo's explanation for choosing Coach K made it sound a bit like Pop wasn't interested in the job. Twitter

Coaching, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Team USA 

Brian Mahoney: Pop maintained he said he'd be honored but never heard anything about it again. Either way, Krzyzewski has been good and so would Pop. Twitter

Coaching, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Team USA 

Of course Doug Collins, with his history as an Olympian on the cheated 1972 U.S. team, and his connection with Krzyzewski through his son, Chris, the Duke assistant, would be an outstanding choice if interested. So would Rick Carlisle. So would North Carolina's Roy Williams or Michigan State's Tom Izzo, if Colangelo decided to go the college coach route again. But Popovich is head and shoulders above anyone else. And he's due. "I just think it's his turn," a veteran coach with vast international experience said of Popovich Sunday. "I like Coach K, but I thought it was (Popovich's) turn before. There's no doubt in my mind that Pop should be the coach. He's earned the right." NBA.com

Coaching, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Team USA 

Were the U.S. team's terrible showings in '02 and '04 -- the impetus, after all, for bringing Colangelo in the next year and giving him the power to unilaterally pick future teams -- held against Popovich? (A source close to James said Sunday that James thinks "very highly" of Popovich, echoing public statements James has made, and would have no problem playing for Popovich in future international competitions.) Or is there some other reason -- or someone else that Popovich has rubbed the wrong way? NBA.com

LeBron James, Coaching, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Team USA 

Popovich will never talk about this, but there are enough people who will. They make it clear that the Air Force Academy graduate, who spent five years on active duty for his country after graduating, and captained the Armed Forces team that won the 1972 AAU championship -- earning an invitation to try out for the '72 Olympic team in the process -- was terribly hurt when he didn't get the call after Brown. NBA.com

Coaching, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Team USA 

Reached Sunday for further comment, Colangelo demurred, saying via text he didn't want to talk further about the coaching search. "It is best to wait until after the Olympics," he said in the text. NBA.com

Coaching, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball, Team USA 

The Spurs persevered for their 18th straight victory Sunday night, finishing off a sweep of the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference semifinals. But when asked about his team’s recent historic streak, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was reticent to discuss much. “It doesn’t exist for us,” Popovich said. “We don’t talk about it. I’ve never heard anybody mention it except you all. And it’s not even a thought in our minds. Each game is just a separate entity.” San Antonio Express-News

Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles, Gregg Popovich 

As I've said before, Spurs coach/non-NHL fan Gregg Popovich has been media gold recently. When asked if he watched and was relieved by the quick outcome of the LA Kings hockey game that could have pushed this Spurs-Clips game back to Monday if it went too long, Popovich said: "Absolutely. I watched it (long pause). I didn't know what was going on, but I watched it." Sulia

San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich, NHL, Los Angeles Kings 

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich credits his veteran core of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili — who have combined for 455 playoff games — for keeping the ship from capsizing. “We didn't get rattled, but one would expect that this group wouldn't,” Popovich said. “They've seen a little bit of everything, and they know that anything can happen in an NBA game.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich 

The two-time NBA Coach of the Year will tell you, however, that he captained the U.S. Armed Forces team that toured Eastern Europe in 1972, and that the relationships he developed overseas have proven invaluable during his years as an NBA assistant and, more importantly, during his 16 seasons as the Spurs' coach and eight as general manager. "If you recall, Mike and Pop were my two choices in 2005," Colangelo said in a phone interview. "When I talked to Coach K, he almost jumped through the phone. I didn't sense that same enthusiasm in my conversation with 'Pop.' Afterward, he sent me a letter and said I misinterpreted what he said. He felt I had misjudged him, and maybe I did. But that was a long time ago. How can anyone argue with his record, his performance? With him as a great coach?" Sacramento Bee

San Antonio Spurs, Jerry Colangelo, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball 

While the topic remains a sore spot with the Spurs, Colangelo is as good at maintaining and repairing relationships as anybody in the business. Disagreements are forgotten and perceived slights forgiven. If he wants Popovich, he'll get Popovich. Any lingering tension between the two – real or imagined – adds intrigue, but it won't dictate who takes over the national team. Sacramento Bee

San Antonio Spurs, Jerry Colangelo, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball 

Here again, Popovich fulfills all the criteria. He has the complete game. He has coached in college, won with David Robinson and Tim Duncan, won with Duncan and two guards from overseas (Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker). He wins with misfits (Stephen Jackson), trades them away, brings them back, and wins with them again (Stephen Jackson). He wins with rookies (Kawhi Leonard) and with role players, while changing tempo and pacing, but invariably excelling at defense and teamwork. "The rules can change," Colangelo said. "You have to be able to adapt. Coach K came in and we changed the infrastructure, the culture, the program. After London, we'll sit down and look at everything. Pop would certainly be a leading candidate if it's going to be a pro coach." Sacramento Bee

San Antonio Spurs, Jerry Colangelo, Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball 

Turns out lots of people feel that way. During his 15 years with the Spurs, Tim Duncan has had 116 teammates. They range from the celebrated (David Robinson) to the not-so-much (Cory Joseph), with a heavy emphasis on the latter. Last year Duncan tried to count them all but couldn't do it. Throughout, Duncan has been the center around which all else has orbited. Most important, he's allowed Popovich to coach him. For 15 straight seasons Pop has gone after his franchise player in practice. We're talking neck veins bulging, spittle flying, a Gatling gun of obscenities. And all Duncan has done is stare back, absorbing it. "He hasn't always liked it," says former teammate Sean Elliott, now a team announcer, "but he takes it. You know how important that is for the rest of the team to see?" Or, as one Spurs coach puts it, "How could a guy like Stephen Jackson complain when Pop was motherf------ Tim every day?" SI.com

San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan 

"Nothing changes about the Spurs," said Clippers veteran forward Kenyon Martin. "They just keep doing what they do and Duncan does what he does." NBA.com

San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan 

And considering that Kawhi Leonard was the rare rookie to earn a starting position with the Spurs, Coach Gregg Popovich has been intrigued with his growth this season. “He’s been a real dedicated player, he’s been a quick learner,” Popovich said. “He’s done a good enough job where I can trust him to be in the starting lineup. I’m happy for him.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich, Kawhi Leonard 

Jeff McDonald: Vinny Del Negro, asked if the Spurs have the coaching edge in this series: "Absolutely." Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Gregg Popovich 

Adrian Wojnarowski: For those discussing next Team USA coach, it should be Gregg Popovich. That won't happen, though, because of a poor relationship with Jerry Colangelo. tmi.me

San Antonio Spurs, Jerry Colangelo, Gregg Popovich, Team USA