Greg Popovich: I m still here! I m not retired!

On May 6, 76-year-old Gregg Popovich attended a press conference held by the San Antonio Spurs. This is his first public debut after six months after a stroke last November. At the press conference, he personally announced that Mitch Johnson would be the team's head coach. At the press conference, the scene was heartbreaking and moving. Popovich slowly walked into the venue accompanied by Ginobili and Duncan. Although the old man still took stubborn steps, his deep eye sockets, his staggering steps, and the crutches that Manu Ginóbili hid behind him, and his indomitable protection of Tim Duncan, were silently showing what kind of illness the legendary coach had experienced.

However, the pain did not defeat Popovich's optimism and humor. He sincerely thanked the people who helped him during his recovery, and humorously joked that Manu and Duncan's company was "retribution." At the end of his speech, he even took off his coat and showed off a specially customized T-shirt with the eye-catching words "El Jefe" (Spanish "Boss"), which is not only a sign of changes in his position, but also a firm statement: I am still there! I haven't retired!

The T-shirts displayed by Popovich on the spot now, Popovich has removed the burden of the head coach and has become the president of the Spurs basketball affairs. He still reluctant to part with this team that has devoted most of his life to the hard work, but he changed his way to continue to fight side by side with the Spurs. Looking back, Popovich had the idea of ​​leaving as early as 2016 when Duncan retired. But the incident of Leonard's departure, DeRozan's joining, and the arrival of Wenban Yama have caused the old coach to postpone his retirement plan again and again.

In the professional basketball league, the head coach has huge pressure on his work. Referring to the domestic CBA league, Guangdong team head coach Du Feng once talked about his work intensity in a reporter's interview. He was still watching the game video at 2 a.m. during the offseason, and it was common for him to stay all night during the season to study opponents. As the world's top basketball league, the head coach's work intensity will only be even better. Especially in small-scale clubs like the San Antonio Spurs, they have to face the dilemma of being "poached" by assistant coaches all year round, and the burden on the head coach is heavier than other teams.

Popovich, who is in recovery, no longer commands on the field, but his love for the Spurs has never changed. Being the team's basketball president means that Popovich can manage the team's development from a more macro perspective, no longer has to be tired of heavy daily training and running around the main game.

"My situation is improving every day, but it is not enough to cope with our plans for the future, so it is time to make this change. Our goal is to ensure that the team's culture continues and that the team's philosophy will not change," Popovich said at the press conference.

From 1996 to 2025, in his 29-year coaching career, Popovich has created countless legends on the court and proved his coaching ability with his brilliant record. Outside the arena, his kindness, friendship, humor, and his courage to speak out for justice have made fans understand the true meaning of "life is greater than basketball".

The future development results of the San Antonio Spurs cannot be predicted. But I believe that everyone who loves the Spurs will send their most sincere blessings to Popovich. Taking this opportunity to post, I sincerely say: Thank you, Popovich. I wish you good health! See you in the new season!