(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
During their time together with the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker and head coach Gregg Popovich did amazing things.
They won four championships from 2001 to 2014 and they also changed the way that fans and players think about modern basketball.
According to Golden State Warriors head coach – and former Spurs player – Steve Kerr, the two had a very special relationship.
Speaking with The Athletic, Kerr spoke about how the two came together and changed one another:
“Pop had a vision for how a point guard was supposed to play, but Tony had his own vision…Tony needed Pop’s guidance to become a complete player and, by the end, he really had accomplished that.”
The Spurs big-three of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan remained committed to team play, and to one another.
On Saturday, Parker will become the final member of the trio to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
@Monroe_SAhttps://t.co/GLGG5U95Ry pic.twitter.com/dTN1Lh8N0N
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) August 11, 2023
There is no denying that Popovich definitely had plans for how he wanted to use Parker.
Since the start of his career, he has been a coach who has known what he wants and doesn’t deviate from that.
It’s clear that Popovich’s plans for Parker worked out well for both of them.
The guard started his career with an average of 15.5 points and 4 assists a game.
Then, a few years later at his peak, he was producing 28.6 points and 6.8 assists.
He would also become a six-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA player, and the Finals MVP in 2006-07.
While much of that is due to his raw talent, a lot of it is because of the guidance and leadership of Popovich.
Now, Parker is about to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
But so is Popovich as well, after years of him declining consideration.
In fact, Popovich had said that he wouldn’t accept a spot in the Hall of Fame until the three big players of his team – Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Parker – were enshrined.
Now that Parker is entering the Hall, Popovich feels he is ready too.
That again shows just how much of a devoted coach he is.
The post Steve Kerr Recalls Special Connection Between Gregg Popovich And Tony Parker appeared first on The Cold Wire.