Ranking The 5 Best Coaches In The NBA
By John Kim
No. 1: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
May 27, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich speaks at a press conference after game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. The Spurs won 93-86. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Gregg Popovich is hands down the best coach in the NBA. Injury and fatigue caused many of the coaches listed above to make adjustments on the fly and their good decision making earned them praise. Popovich makes decisions preemptively, and more often than not, they turn out to be championship caliber decisions.
During the regular season, Popovich received criticism for not playing his star players. Whether it was against Miami (The Spurs got fined for in this case) or Golden State, the lack of firepower often resulted in regular seasons losses, resulting in backlash.
Now after steamrolling the Los Angeles Lakers, Grizzlies and fighting off the pesky Warriors, the Spurs are back in the NBA Finals. Popovich had one of the healthiest teams in the Western Conference despite leaning heavily on three aging future hall of famers. When it comes to time management, Popovich comes second to none among NBA coaches.
Being the longest tenured current coach in the NBA, Popovich has established a close rapport with his team. This mutual respect has not only allowed Popovich to coach his team effectively, but trust that the Big Three (TimDuncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili) will do what needs to be done.