Coach Gregg Popovich has officially earned his 1000th win and it happened in possibly the most fitting place… His home-state of Indiana.
Monday night’s Spurs win against the Indiana Pacers marked the most recent milestone for their legendary head Coach. The Spurs came back from a 14 point deficit in the 4th quarter to beat the Pacers 95-93.
Anyone who knows of Coach Popovich knows just how straight-forward and low key he can be, and last night was no different. In response to his 1000th win Coach Pop gave all praise to his players. “I’ve been here a long time and I’ve had good players. That’s the formula. Getting the players is difficult, but I’ve been fortunate to have good ones. The time — that’s the most important element. You have to be around for a while. It’s more a tribute to the players obviously than any coaches.”
His 1000th win only adds to Popovich’s list of amazing accolades. He’s been deemed NBA Coach of the Year three times and has won an NBA Championship 5 times, with his most recent championship being just last year. He ranks 5th all-time with a .684 winning percentage, going 1000-462 and is the 3rd fastest Coach to reach 1000 wins as only Phil Jackson and Pat Riley reached their 1000th win faster. And though Coach Popovich is the 9th Coach to ever reach 1000 wins, with yet another accolade he is only the 2nd Coach to do so with only one team.
Coach Pop said it himself following his big moment, “not too much celebration” as he and the Spurs have their eye on something more important to all of them… another Championship ring. But no worries, he did admit that he may have himself a nice glass of wine.
