The Uniqueness of Pops and Other Greats (Part 1)

Does your boss do any of the following or a facsimile thereof?

These are 10 things the legendary and now retired, San Antonio Spurs coach, Gregg Popovich, did with his teams during 29 great years:

1. “‘Wine and Dine’ Cultural Education: Adventures to fine-dining restaurants and wine tastings to teach sophistication, etiquette, and appreciation for global cultures.

- Why it worked: Players learned to engage in conversations beyond basketball, fostering curiosity about art, history, and world issues. Tim Duncan once joked, ‘Pop made me realize there’s more to life than a jump shot.’

2. Mandatory Book Clubs & Documentary Screenings: Pop assigned players books (for example, ‘Sapiens’ by Yuval Noah Harari) and documentaries on topics like social justice, history, and philosophy. Team discussions followed, often during flights or meals.

- After screening ‘13th’ (a documentary on racial inequality), players engaged in raw, emotional debates about systemic racism.

- Why it worked: It expanded players’ worldviews and encouraged critical thinking

3. Prison Visits for Perspective: He organized team visits to prisons, where players interacted with inmates. These trips were designed to humanize marginalized communities and highlight the consequences of life choices.

- Why it worked: Danny Green later reflected that it taught him ‘gratitude and the power of second chances.’

4. Military Base Immersions: Popovich, a former Air Force officer, took teams to military bases (e.g., West Point) to meet soldiers. Players participated in drills and heard stories of sacrifice.

- Why it worked: It instilled humility and a sense of duty beyond sports. ‘It makes you realize how small basketball is in the grand scheme,’ said Manu Ginóbili.

5. The ‘No Phones at Dinner Rule’: Team dinners were sacred: Phones banned, conversations mandatory. Topics ranged from politics to personal struggles. Popovich often played devil’s advocate to provoke deeper dialogue.

- Why it worked: It built camaraderie and taught players to articulate ideas confidently.

6. Art Museum Field Trips: During road trips, Popovich dragged players to art museums (e.g., the Louvre in Paris or the Met in NYC). He’d lecture on Renaissance paintings or modern art, tying creativity to basketball.

- Tony Parker’s take: ‘At first, we thought it was weird. Now I love art—it taught me to see the game differently.’

7. Social Justice Advocacy as a Team: Popovich turned locker rooms into safe spaces for activism. He encouraged players to speak out on issues like police brutality and LGBTQ+ rights, even organizing team visits to protests.

Why it worked: It empowered players to use their platform for societal good.

8. Humor as a Teaching Tool: Popovich disarmed players with sarcasm and self-deprecating jokes to diffuse tension. For instance, he’d mock his own grumpiness in interviews to remind players not to take themselves too seriously.

9. Personalized ‘Life Homework’: He assigned players idiosyncratic tasks based on their interests. For example:

- Boris Diaw (a coffee enthusiast) had to tour a coffee farm in Colombia.

- Kawhi Leonard (quiet and introspective) was tasked with leading a team discussion to build confidence.

- Why it worked: It pushed players out of their comfort zones to grow as individuals.

10. Family-Inclusive Leadership: Popovich hosted team gatherings at his home, inviting players’ families. He’d cook (his famous Serbian stew) and emphasize the importance of balancing basketball with family life.

- Impact: Players like Patty Mills credit these moments for teaching them ‘how to be a better father and partner.’

Popovich’s quirks weren’t just eccentricities—they were intentional tools to build empathy, intellectual depth, and social responsibility. As he once said:

‘Basketball is what we do, not who we are. My job is to help these guys become men who’ll make the world better.’ “

His legacy lives on in players who champion causes, pursue passions beyond sports, and mentor the next generation—proof that his "weird" methods worked.

And what about basketball results? The San Antonio Spurs won five NBA Championships under former head coach Popovich. It’s hard to win a championship once, let alone five, and even harder in small market San Antonio.

The tributes to Gregg Popowich are endless and come from all parts of the Spurs organization.

Pick the sport, men’s or women’s, the coaches that make a REMARKABLE difference, share a constellation of leadership attributes that embrace the uniqueness exemplified by the Popovich examples above.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week!

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

- Lorne

One Millennial View: While a coach’s primary responsibility is to win games, the best recognize they have an opportunity to be of service to much more than the scoreboard. Now, just because I might like coffee, having to travel to Colombia to tour a coffee farm sounds just terrible on paper, however you can imagine how much you’d appreciate that experience in hindsight once it’s over. We all need coaches to help broaden our stories.

- Garrett

AI Response: Gregg Popovich’s leadership extended far beyond basketball, blending mentorship with real-world impact—and the results speak for themselves. Under his tenure, the Spurs achieved a 71% regular-season win rate (1,410 wins), five NBA championships, and a record 22 consecutive playoff appearances (1998–2019). His emphasis on culture and education paid off: 95% of his players graduated college (vs. the NBA average of 45%), and many, like Tim Duncan and Manu Ginóbili, became global ambassadors for social causes. Popovich’s methods mirror those of other transformative coaches, such as the UConn women’s basketball team’s Geno Auriemma (11 NCAA titles) or the UNC women’s soccer’s Anson Dorrance (22 national titles), who prioritize holistic development. As Popovich proved, leadership isn’t just about winning—it’s about shaping lives.

The Uniqueness of Pops and Other Greats (Part 1)

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