NBA journeyman shares what separates Spurs' Popovich from other coaches

The Encyclopedia Britannica defines confirmation bias as "people's tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with their existing beliefs." Simply put, you only look for specific information that proves what you already believe to be true. It sounds like a close-minded approach to discourse, but sometimes stubbornness is necessary to preserve an indisputable truth. For the San Antonio Spurs, the truth is that Gregg Popovich is still a special coach.

Popovich is the winningest coach in NBA history. You do not reach that level of success without standing out from your peers. Stanley Johnson was only with the team for two months last season, but that was all the time he needed to see what makes the 74-year-old playcaller a legend. In a recent podcast appearance for Run Your Race on the Tidal League Network, Johnson shared a story about playing for Pop that perfectly encapsulated why he has a reputation as a phenomenal instructor.

Gregg Popovich has an airtight case as the greatest coach of all time

Since Coach Pop's Hall of Fame nomination and induction, much of the surrounding discourse has been about his ability to forge strong relationships. While that part of his character does deserve celebration, his skill as a teacher on the court is just as impressive. The Spurs have carried some of the most diverse rosters in the league, and Pop has consistently kept everyone on the same page. Players buy into the system, carefully absorbing the lessons from the seasoned basketball mind.

The Air Force product built a championship team around Tim Duncan, and he has made countless adjustments while racking up 50-win seasons throughout his career. Achieving league dominance is no easy feat, as some coaches struggle to evolve their core philosophies or introduce new concepts effectively. Fortunately for the Silver and Black, Coach Pop is among the best communicators across the professional sports landscape.

Fans have watched the Spurs transition from a low-post offense to a perimeter-centric attack. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Demar DeRozan, Dejounte Murray, and Keldon Johnson have led the organization to varying degrees of success through each iteration of the offense. With Victor Wembanyama in the fold and a fresh five-year contract for Pop, the architect of The Beautiful Game will once again have a chance to showcase his creativity.