5 Reasons Gregg Popovich is the perfect coach for Victor Wembanyama

#3: Popovich is a defensive mastermind

Popovich is generally viewed as one of the greatest coaches of all time, if not the greatest, and he earned that reputation by being a defensive mastermind. From 1997–98 to the 2017–18 season, the Spurs finished in the top 10 in defensive ratings 20 times in 21 seasons and in the top five 18 of those times. That is impressive, to say the least. And while he had Hall of Famers Robinson and Duncan to help anchor those defenses, it's hard to believe Pop's game plan didn't heavily play into the team's dominance on that end.

With Wembanyama, Popovich will have another defensive anchor to build an elite defense around. His size, length, mobility, and athleticism make him the perfect defender for today's NBA. He can switch onto smaller defenders and use his lateral quickness to keep perimeter players in front of him, daring them to shoot over him and his 7'8 arm span.

Needless to say, he racked up an unusually high number of blocks away from the basket. Of course, he is also a terrific rim protector, even though he is still learning the finer points of defense. With Popovich and Duncan there to teach him, his ceiling could be a multiple Defensive Player of the Year winner. To start his career, Wembanyama will likely defend more on the perimeter, playing at power forward, though he could close games at the five, giving the Spurs the best of both worlds and Popovich options.