A statement from the team on Wednesday revealed that head coach of San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich was expected to make a full recovery from a minor stroke. The legendary head coach of the National Basketball Association reportedly suffered from a stroke earlier this week and has been placed in stable and medical care.
Arguably the greatest coach in NBA history, he has coached Spurs for nearly three decades. Since then, he has been guiding them towards five NBA championships. The team said Popovich’s stroke was caught early, meaning treatment began promptly enough to have been instrumental in preventing long-term damage.
“We are very grateful for the swift medical intervention, and the quality of care he’s receiving,” noted the Spurs organization. “Coach Popovich is recovering well with family and friends. Hopefully, he’ll be in excellent spirits when his full recovery is in store.”
The Spurs organization and the NBA will miss Popovich. For decades, he’s been a shining light of influence not only on the court but certainly in the off-court life of his players, and finally, in himself. His commitment to player development, outspokenness on social causes, and dry wit have left imprints on the league. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson likely will assume many of Popovich’s duties on the bench when he’s away.
Fans as well as the players themselves have sent out good wishes for his health. Current and former players such as Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili have been vocal in their declarations of support, extending words of encouragement to their former mentor.
Popovich joined the Spurs in 1996 and is the longest-tenuring active coach in American professional sports. Determination and work ethic have been what the Hall of Fame coach has served to generations of players and coaches alike. Though when or if Popovich will come out of retirement is unknown, the Spurs organization stated his health was the priority.
The fans and the team fully expect him to recover fully to join them when the Spurs need to survive this season.
