Gregg Popovich: nobody, snake ... G.O.A.T. 

I was on the bench next to Pop at Pomona-Pitzer when we were 2-22. As his assistant I just marveled at how his mind work. For a guy with so much drive, he was so supportive with the kids, who, in some cases, hadn’t made their high school teams. We spent long hours talking basketball and life. I was just two years removed from a tour in Viet Nam and had some problems. But Pop could and would lift my spirits. Then came the day I was transferred by the company I worked for and we had to split. Maybe some day we will meet again. Living in Austin, TX it gives me a smile knowing he is 90 miles away and that we both have white beards. He is truly a good man AND a fine coach.

The day Pop fired Bob Hill and took the job himself was the day a 13 year old Spurs fan known as me referred to that as the worst day in Spurs franchise history. Boy how WRONG I was.

i think the most hilarious thing , and quite ironic , is that the so called "assistant with assistant ideas" turned his own assistants into a dozen nba coaches , and the last 4 coaches in the nba finals were under him as assistant aswell. It's for me whats puts him ahead of anyone as the GOAT coach

Andrew Gaze, an Australian basketball legend and a bench player on that '99 championship team, told a story on a podcast about Pop when Andrew wrote him a letter expressing condolences after Pop's wife passed in 2018. Not only did Pop write back but enclosed a physical photo of Andrew on the bench next to the stars of that 99 team. Andrew figured it must have come from Pop's own archive of photos and he'd taken the time to find one. That's class, even in what would have been a dark time for him

I love Clara's delivery, the sarcasm, the nuances... She's so good at narrating these stories!

A note on Pop getting the GM job in San Antonio: when Red McCombs sold the Spurs in 93, many of the new owners had been minority owners previously, so they knew Pop from his first run as an assistant. They initially wanted to bring him in as assistant GM to work under Bob Bass. But Bass resigned at the end of the year so they just gave Pop the GM job. It was clear to those around him though that his ultimate goal was to be a head coach. He had no front office experience. He'd only spent a few years in the NBA as an assistant. It was a bizarre hire since most of his career was as a D3 coach. So it wasn't a surprise to people around him that he eventually fired Bob Hill and named himself HC. The problem was that Hill had 2 great regular seasons, so it was definitely a shady move that made him despised by the local fans UNTIL they won the '99 title.

San Antonio always found players that no one wanted that turned out to be contributors (Jaren Jackson, Bruce Bowen, Gary Neal), because as Bruce pointed out "Others focused on what you can't do as a player, while Pop focuses on what you can". That is why I have always loved San Antonio as an organization.

I love his interactions with Craig Sager. I swear someone was cutting onions when Pop spoke with Sager Jr after Craig’s death.

No channel would give the Spurs the respect like Secret Base does. I've been a Spurs fan since the 2007 title when I first moved here, and really enjoy the culture. Pop is an amazing coach and has shaped the game of basketball in this age.

The sentence needs to be immortalized: "Fans wanted to replace popavich with doc rivers."

I think its important to note that the media hates it when coaches treat them indifferently, and it brings bias to their coverage

Honestly you guys could do a Prism on Doc Rivers as well. From championship winning coach with the '08 Celtics to repeated playoff choker with the Clippers and perhaps even the Sixers

i live in san antonio, he comes in to eat at a restaurant i work at pretty frequently. very nice guy, very approachable, and when he leaves after eating, he tips the server well and tips the chefs in the kitchen. i think one christmas, he tipped every staff member working front of the house and back of the house, tipped every staff member a couple hundred bucks!

Bruh everyone's dropping bangers while I'm in school

One of the greatest coaches in sports history. I'd love to meet him and shake his hand.

The Spurs aren't successful without Pop. This reminded me how he was the GM that picked Manu & Tony. Without those two, this Spurs team doesn't become a dynatsy

Clara Morris is a rock star. Love listening to her stuff. Writer, producer, voice over. I'm gushing, I know.

Having a retrospective about Pop is also a sign of getting old, but no complaints. Borrowing Pop's line: I'm blessed and "fortunate enough" to reach this far in life while having "fallen comrades" along the way. Sure, he had Tim Duncan. But remember TD almost moved to Orlando. One article in 2000s suggests David Robinson postponing his Hawaii trip was the convincing factor for TD to stay. It took over a decade TD's relationship with Pop had the last say (see "Champions Revealed", available here at YT) which further detailed by TD in his moving HOF speech when Pop went out of his way to get to know TD personally with his family/friends by visiting St. Croix few days after the 1997 Draft. Pop may never surpass Phil Jackson or Red Auerbach in ring totals, but he surpassed both for creating a coaching/front office tree and made themselves great (even HOF-bound) in their own right. He paid it forward, constantly thanking Larry Brown and Don Nelson whenever the media bringing up his achievements. Steve Kerr both played under Jackson and Pop. It should be noted when the coaching opportunity came, he heeded Pop's input over Jackson, with the latter wooing him to coach NY. Most (if not all) of the Warriors bandwagon ignores this backstory. And amidst his greatness, he never forget where he comes from. He knows and teaches life is always bigger than basketball. That before aiming to be one of the best in basketball, be the best human being first (which Kawhi Leonard failed to figure out; Pop took the high road).

As a long time Edmonton Oilers fan and fan of the "Moment in History" series, I would really love to see an episode on Game 5 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, when Fernando Pisani scored the first ever shorthanded game winning goal in finals history in the NHL. He single handedly kept the Edmonton Oilers alive in their quest to win an unlikely title as the 8th seed in the Western Conference in 2006 and despite losing a tight game 7, that goal is one that has not been forgotten in the hockey world. There is a lot of super interesting back story for both the Hurricanes and the Oilers of that season, so I believe it to be an iconic moment that would make a great video.

For the next prism, you should cover alex smith. He went from bust, to star, to unwanted, and eventually to comeback legend

Gregg Popovich is, without question, one of the greatest coaches in pro sports history. The true genius of Pop is this: 1: Pop is willing to be both a defense-first coach AND an offense-first coach. 2: His system always emphasizes substance over style. 3: The team is always more important than the individual, even if you have a great, transcendent superstar like Tim Duncan.

That "Nobody is any one person" line from the Falcons Dorktown must've really sent reverberations through the whole crew for you guys to make a whole ass series out of it

Got to love how the "dictator" was unsure if he deserved a shot in the pros in the first place, and actually listened to his players and drew up formations that fit his players' needs better while still being good for the team to score & defend. I'd like to know how and when he developed the confidence to seize control of the team though, that sounds like it could be an ESPN series on its own.

I've never clapped after a video, but God damn this was so well made, researched, and articulated with witt and scarcasm and humor and poise. Wonderful and beautiful video. So much it feels wrong to call it that. Let's say project or presentation 😊😎

Secret Base is killing it with these series especially these PRISIMs I love the extra perspectives that y'all give to these legends rather they reached their potential, over achieved it or fell short.

As a SA native I can attest people were PISSED when Bob hill was fired.. the Spurs rise as a franchise truly is legendary

I can't see a coach that would've get the 2014 ring with that Spurs outside of Greg Popovich, he is the greatest basketball mind we've seen coaching a NBA team

The evolution of secret base still wows me. Elite content.

I love her dry sense of humor and continuing beef with babies.

Clara Morris narrating a video about Popovich = Goat on Goat narration.

I wonder if the same Phil Jackson that's trying to put an asterisk on the '99 title would put an asterisk on his '02 title.

Really enjoyed this. Big fan of Pop and his people-centric ethic. He knows how to make a team want to win and, further, want to win as much for him as they do themselves. That's a major secret in the art of champions. As an aside: really love the narrator's voice. She's perfect for this medium.

aye Secret Base.. y'all killing it with these PRISM videos 💯 much appreciation and respect to y'all 🙏🏾💯

Greg Popovich is easily the best NBA coach ever. I know Phil Jackson gets a lot of accolades and praise, and he does deserve it. However, Pop helped bring a fire to the Spurs and take the NBA by storm. He coached team after team to give it their all and so much more. He taught them the fundamentals of basketball of working together and being cohesive. He always got the best out of his team. His legacy extends to coaching as well. Steve Kerr, who played for the Spurs briefly, took what he learned and saw from Pop to become a coach as well. Now he's coaching a championship team with Golden State with his own Big Three. Mike Budenholzer was a former assistant to Pop, and he coached the Bucks to their first Finals championship since 1971. Becky Hammon was another assistant who now coaches the Las Vegas Aces for the WNBA and is in the Finals. There's so many coaches that learned and have passed on what Pop has taught them. Our time on top is over and the Spurs are struggling, but I'm forever grateful for what Coach Pop has done for the Spurs. He's a once in a lifetime coach and I'll never forget the good times we had. Whoever takes his place I hope continues to carry on what Pop has taught and keep the legacy going.

Man Phil Jackson really has the balls to say put asterisks to titles when they had the league cheating against the godddamn Sacramento Kings. And the year prior against the Jailblazers. I'd say put asterisks on those 2 titles.

Every team from every country from every sport wants someone like popovich

I will never forgive kawhi for not carrying on the torch from duncan and im a lakers fan who watched the spurs beat us everytime in the 90s

Someone I know who's 9 years older than me told me back in 2008, when the Warriors were bad, he shouted at Tony Parker, "Monta Ellis is about to light you up." At halftime, Parker had 24.

I'm telling you literally Clara has the best vids I love every one on the channel but nothing is as soothing as a SB vid with Clara 🔥👍

*COACH POP* *We Love You*

That's insane, I had no clue Pop got so much hate in his early career, I only know him as one of if not the best coach of all time.

this is an incredible series, i hope there are more seasons after this

No mention of Northwest Indiana - so I am mentioning Northwest Indiana. Pop is a 219 legend

Loving this series, great work all

Great video as always guys. Incredible job and I just love the basketball content.

Incredibly well done, one of the best videos on the channel

I'm enjoying this Prism series a lot, interesting stuff. And Clara Morris' voice is so smooth and relaxing I'd probably watch a video of her just reading the instruction manual for Mega Man IV on the NES.

What a great video, truly enjoyed the delivery and sarcasm.

even though Spurs now in a bad place, i always revere them as a team to watch for. Pop is the reason. NBA will miss him when he retires

Great stuff. Keep em coming

Prism is a great series. I never really have time to go in depth with anything sports wise. But this show does it amazingly, and i am hooked

Terrific video. We need more content like this

Really enjoying this series, thanks for the stories!

Thank you for this masterpiece of a tribute to the GOAT coach. Great job!

This series has been amazing!! Need a baseball story now baybay

This is excellent. Thank you for this!

Absolutely love your voice and narration. Perfect. Secret Base is the best channel on RU-vid. Go forth!

Lmao that first joke at like :21 “babies can’t do anything” caught me off guard and got me pretty good.

Every single clara video is a treat

Love this channel. Top tier content 247.

This was legit. Keep up the good work!

Prism high key becoming my favorite secret base show, that KG episode hit hard

There's actually a story that Duncan chose to return to San Antonio largely because Doc wouldn't allow Tim's girlfriend on the team plane, allowing Pop and Robinson to make a last minute pitch to keep him. Doc is honestly a joke whether this is true or not. Got carried to a title by the Big 3 and Tom Thibodeau and is a career underachiever.

Banger video as per usual

Loved your pacing throughout the vid. A+

This is a really great series. Great work Clara!

Finally a Pop video!👏💪 Man's a legend everywhere and he's humble!

Wow Winningest Coach in NBA History coached at Pomona College in Southern California and hour from where I live

This is a great video and series 👍🏼

I always knew this channel loved them some Pop.

"minew" Ginobili had me dead

one of the best thanks for the memories

By far the best video from this narrator

Oh gosh... I love so much this voice 😍

Wow great video acknowledging one the of Goats in coaching.

Coach Pop is a legend legend. Classy, smart, no nonsense, humble,but above all else, human. He wasn't perfect, and he'd be the first to tell you what he or his guys needed to improve on even after a win. If I was any good at b ball, I would play for him!

Great mini film. thx! Would have loved longer and more bb detailed on how he transformed a boring defensive team into an offensive juggernaut

Love your voice-over work; you're very good!

That was awesome, thanks!

love the style. well done

These PRISM videos are fantastic !!

Another banger.

This has the feel of a Ken Burns doc and I love it

I liked Robinson and the Spurs in the 1990s. I remember avidly disliking Gregg Popovich for firing Bob Hill in a tank season. It's funny how winning a lot of championships will change public opinion about you.

"Babies can't do anything." -Clara Morris, 2022

Not sure if the narrator and the writer are the same person but the delivery of the witty one liners peppered into the story is phenomenal. Great work guys.

excellent video as usual

Just a fantastic story

I really rate the narration here, best I've heard in a long time.

please please do one on troy aikman. he's not a very statistically pleasing qb but his off the scenes work with the cowboys along with dealing runours and drama in the 90s is truly fascinating.

as a die hard spurs fan since the champ run of 03, i enjoyed this retrospective on pop. thank you!

This is awesome I never knew any of his backstory

Like 100 baby! Thanks SB good content.

Clara, one again killing it. ❤️

What the Spurs are doing now might be more genius than anything Pop did, which is absolutely amazing. The entire league is PRAYING No. 1 doesn't fall into our lap. If it does, the Dynasty is back and its payback on the L that tried to forget the Spurs.

My theory was Pop tanked for Duncan but I’m not mad at him

I LOVE YOU CLARA MORRIS!

Awesome video

I remember the one time where the Spurs nearly considered firing Pop after a dismal 6-8 start in the 1999 lockout-shortened season and this was one time talked about in Chris Miles' NBA TV segment in 2018 "What If". I'm glad they didn't and now he's a myth and an all-time legendary head coach. Thanks Chris.

Bad man. Absolute legend. Hope the Spurs get Wembanyama next year!