Inside The Spurs

Nuggets' Michael Malone on Spurs' Gregg Popovich: 'I Wouldn't Be An NBA Head Coach'

In a recent appearance on the Zach Lowe podcast, Nuggets coach Michael Malone wasn't shy of his praise for Gregg Popovich, who he says played an instrumental role in his coaching career.

Matt Guzman

Nuggets' Michael Malone on Spurs' Gregg Popovich: 'I Wouldn't Be An NBA Head Coach'
Nuggets' Michael Malone on Spurs' Gregg Popovich: 'I Wouldn't Be An NBA Head Coach' /
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San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich may not be "A Hall-of-Fame Guy," but he certainly is one of the NBA's biggest icons. 

If that wasn't enough on its own to earn him a spot in Naismith, being the winningest coach of all-time would, but that's no longer important. Even if he doesn't see himself that way, the rest of the basketball world absolutely does, especially other coaches, who haven't been shy about their praise for the 27th-year veteran.

The latest to comment on Popovich's impact was Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, fresh off of winning an NBA title, who appeared on The Lowe Post in Late July to discuss league-wide topics. When Popovich was brought up, Malone — like many others — didn't hesitate to speak highly of Pop.

"Coach Popovich, he's obviously, arguably the greatest NBA coach in the history of the game," Malone said. "He was so influential in me getting a job in Cleveland with Mike Brown and Danny Ferry years ago."

From 2005-2010, Malone was with the Cavaliers, making a trip to the 2007 NBA Finals before moving to New Orleans, which he says was also party due to Popovich.

"He was instrumental in helping me get a job [with] Monty Williams in New Orleans, [too]," Malone said. "And I would not have ever become a head coach in NBA if it wasn't for Gregg Popovich."

High words of praise for the Spurs' coach. But then again, what else is new? Popovich has broken records countless times and brought positive change to a city that hadn't experienced winning before. And now, Denver has experienced the same thing under a coach who credits Popovich for his league success. 

That's just who Pop is, and the NBA world just continues to prove why.

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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