SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs have unveiled a banner celebrating Gregg Popovich. Fittingly, they did it quietly.
A Spurs official said there would be no ceremony to commemorate the banner or honor Popovich, which is what the self-effacing coach wanted. The banner was hoisted before San Antonio’s home opener on Sunday against Brooklyn.
“I think it’s very Pop-esque,” said coach Mitch Johnson, who took over for Popovich this season.
Instead of grand fanfare, fans looked up to the rafters of the Frost Bank Center to see a simple white banner that read, “Pop 1,390,” in tribute to his NBA-record career coaching victories. In addition to the Spurs logo, there are five stars atop the banner signifying the five championships Popovich brought to a once-futile franchise, and the bottom of the banner says “Hall of Fame” in honor of his 2023 induction.
The banner hangs alongside David Robinson’s No. 50, Sean Elliott’s No. 32, Avery Johnson’s No. 6, Bruce Bowen’s No. 12, Tim Duncan’s No. 21, Manu Ginobili’s No. 20 and Tony Parker’s No. 9.
“Obviously what an honor to have him be included with that group,” Johnson said. “Can’t say enough in terms of 29 years as a head coach, longer with the organization, five championships. Everything that you see, hear or have heard regarding this organization, he has his imprint all over it. … Just in terms of the importance of everything — how we do everything and the attention to detail and the consistency and the love, blood, sweat and tears that he put into it.”
of the Spurs in May, ending a three-decade run that saw him become the league’s all-time wins leader and earn induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He had a stroke at the team’s arena on Nov. 2, 2024, and did not coach again, though he .
“It’s a lot of emotions for a lot of people, I know,” Johnson said, “but for myself, for sure just to see that up there and have him join that group (is emotional).”
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