Some NBA players would prefer playing for Rivers, D'Antoni over Popovich
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has led the Spurs franchise to four NBA titles, is a 
former NBA Coach of the Year, can take relatively unknown players and make them a key cog in the Spurs machine, and year-in and year-out has San Antonio competing for a championship.
Apparently that is not good enough for some NBA players.
SI.com recently did a player's poll with 134 NBA players participating and the question was, "Which coach would you like to play for the most?" And as always, Pop is overlooked. Check out the results.
DOC RIVERS, CELTICS 22%
MIKE D'ANTONI 21%
GREGG POPOVICH, SPURS 16%
RICK CARLISLE, MAVERICKS 6%
RICK ADELMAN, T-WOLVES 5%
I can almost forgive the 22% of players picking Rivers as a coach they most rather play for. He is a "player's coach" and has created a winning atmosphere in Boston but how does D'Antoni come out on top of Pop? He failed in Phoenix and in New York with his up-tempo, no defense style of game. He has never guided a team to an NBA Finals let alone win a title. Something Pop has done four times!
OK sure, D'Antoni's run-and-gun system lends to players getting solid offensive stats but clearly the 16% who voted for him do not know how to vote for a winner nor want to play for a coach who puts winning a title as priority number one.
Now I am sure Pop doesn't care about this stuff and would be modest about it but once again this just shows how time after time, Pop doesn't get the credit he truly deserves.
Well at least Pop finished above Mavericks head coach Carlisle.
What do you have to say Spurs fans? I know you have something to say to these players who didn't vote for Pop.
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Many players want to be his own "star" and don't wanna be limited to do certain things on the court while they see the Spurs like a military base or something like that. Pop plays a role like a army sergeant more than a NBA coach. Todays NBA very rare players finish their college degree, for money, they usually jump to the NBA right away once they put on good stats on the board. These attitudes and egos make them hard to understand winning is more important than being a star/making huge money.
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Pop is unquestionable the best coach in the NBA now that Phil Jackson retired (don't get me started on how overrated he was). Pop's adjustments he makes, plays he calls out of timeouts, and most importantly, his ability to connect and get the best out of players make him the best in the NBA. He should definitely get COY without a doubt for manipulated lineups and other player's heads (just ask Paul Millsap).
@CraigThomas Overrated is an understatement. He has been lucky to inherit teams that have been loaded with talent. He has never had to put a team together or start from scratch. Zen master my ass.
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Most NBA players don't like to play D or rebound. It's true. This really is no surprise. They are just a bunch of morons that wanna be on the SportsCenter top10.
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Players who choose a coach other than Pops are lazy. They don't realize that the best offense is defense.
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I would say this voting tells more about the developing belief that offense is "fun" and defense is "boring". D'Antoni's style allows players to pad their stats and not really have to work too hard at it. Remember when he was booted from the Suns and they got a defensive minded coach in there? Stories came out about the players being upset because it wasn't fun anymore...evidently they thought getting butt kicked in playoffs was fun.
Pop system means you have to work on defense to get time on the court, D'Antoni means you get to run around and make Sports Center highlights. This feeds into the feeling of the average NBA fan who thinks that more offense is more exciting vs the basketball fan who wants to see the drama and strategy of adjusting to tough defense and gutting out a win with pure will and determination, rather than "I jump high and throw ball through metal thing"
The ones who want to win, voted for Pop. The "Look at me" players voted D'Antoni...just my four cents...
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"OK sure, D'Antoni's run-and-gun system lends to players getting solid offensive stats but clearly the 16% who voted for him do not know how to vote for a winner nor want to play for a coach who puts winning a title as priority number one."
hammer meet nail, this hits it right on the head, those players know coach porn stache's "system" is great for stat padders but doesnt win. if you want to pad your stats, get some extra points or what not then sure he is the coach for you. if you want to win, pop is the place to go, doc is ok though he was not real impressive before ainge sold his sole to get the team they have had the past few years.
out of everyone listed if i was a player it would be pop followed by adelman, then doc and all the way down the line about ohhhh 93rd i would list dantoni. yeah behind my old high school and middle school coaches.
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@JohnAbney Best D'Antoni moment ever was when Timmy hit that 3 in game 1 of the 2008 playoffs against the suns and D'Antoni just shook his head and let out a sigh like "I got out-coached AGAIN by Pop, oh well." Hahaha priceless.
