NBA community pours love into Popovich's cup after somber announcement

When Popovich's announcement came, I needed time to process it. It felt inevitable after the fainting incident a couple of weeks back, but that didn't lessen the blow. I'm 36 years old. That means I was seven years old the last time someone other than Gregg Popovich led San Antonio. I don't really know anything else, and that took some time for me to come to terms with.

Pop has been the architect of some of the fondest memories I have as a sports fan. It's not just starting a new chapter; it's like reading a different author. I don't know if I'll enjoy Mitch Johnson's style, I don't know if I can trust his ability to build character, and his ability to stick the landing will be an uncertainty until he accomplishes the mission.

I knew all of those things about Pop, and it made me comfortable with him. He was public enough for fans to know what kind of coach he is and what kind of man he is. It's because of who he is that prompted so many kind words from coaches and players alike when the Spurs announced that he'd no longer be on the sidelines. I compiled some of my favorites for your pleasure.

Popovich had unparalleled impact on the NBA community

Dejounte Murray has a strong relationship with Coach Pop (he'll always be Coach Pop). He has a strong relationship with Mitch Johnson, too. Showing up today to Johnson's introductory press conference, where Pop made his first appearance in front of a microphone since last November. Murray has always shown love for his first NBA coach, so it wasn't a surprise to see his message on X.

Steve Kerr played for the Spurs from 1998 to 2003 (we're going to ignore that year in Portland) and won two championships with the Silver and Black. Kerr took over as the head coach of the Warriors in 2015 and won a ring in his first season.

He's since won a total of four championships as a coach, and he's always been incredibly gracious about his time in San Antonio, crediting Pop and the organization for a large portion of his success. He expressed his respect and admiration for his mentor with a bit of humor and a ton of grace after the announcement came out.

Danny Green had a rocky start to his career, but found a home in San Antonio. Pop helped him revitalize his career, and Green rewarded the Spurs' faith in him by becoming one of the most beloved Spurs of all time. He helped the Silver and Black get revenge on the Miami Heat in 2014, bringing the gold back to the city one more time, and his NBA Finals performances were legendary.

It was nice to see the old sharpshooter shout out Coach Pop.

This one is my favorite. Draymond Green could easily be classified as the NBA's villain, but that's due to his antics on the court (mostly). Green is also one of the most honest guys in the league and has no problem expressing himself from the heart. He spent time with the wine connoisseur when they won the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and after Pop's announcement, Green spoke beautifully about their relationship.

We'll miss everything he stood for. His kindness, his willingness to teach, and how it was clear to see how much his players cared for him because of those connections. We'll also miss his sideline interviews, which provided viewers with gold for decades. Fortunately, you can watch a little compilation that the SportsCenter X account threw together for us.

Gregg Popovich wasn't just a coach, he was a pillar in the NBA community. He still is. It just won't be the same without him on the sidelines. Nobody could light a fire under his guys like Pop could, but nobody could love on them like him either. He built relationships throughout this entire league, and every single one of us will feel his absence. Thank you, El Jefe.