Spurs' Gregg Popovich Reveals Challenges in Coaching Young Team
ORLANDO - The San Antonio Spurs remain in the loss column after a 127-111 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night at the Kia Center.
The loss secured that the Spurs would have their fifth consecutive losing season, which is the longest such stretch in franchise history.
However, this was to be expected of a young Spurs team that Gregg Popovich is navigating around.
After Thursday's game, Popovich spoke about the difficulties in leading a group with a lack of experience.
Jan 19, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center.
© Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
"It's just a development situation," Popovich said. "The challenges are teaching young guys that have never really had the time to get the fundamentals in a lot of different ways. It's development in both ends of the court. Simple things. Some things take a little bit more time because they're nuanced, but the challenges are not skipping steps and getting people to understand what it takes to win and what it takes to lose. How to become a better teammate.
"How to add to your skills, and understand, what you have to do to have a career and in this league. A lot of these guys played a year at college, some of them two. Their coach never got a chance to teach them what they wanted to teach them."
Earlier in Popovich's career, he wouldn't have as many young players to teach. He always had veterans on the floor to carry out his vision. But this is Pop's formula. You have to learn how to ride a bicycle with the training wheels before taking them off, and unfortunately, that time bleeds into these seasons.
The players' development has to happen in the NBA because it didn't happen much before their time in the league. The Spurs are learning the Popovich ways on the fly, and that's what has resulted in 42 losses through 52 games.
The Spurs are back in action tomorrow against the Brooklyn Nets. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CT inside the Barclays Center.
