On Friday, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich became the leader in NBA coaching history, and people saluted him.
The 73-year-old coach led the Spurs to a 104-102 victory over the Utah Jazz to their 1336th regular season victory, surpassing Popovich's old rival Don Nelson's previous record.
He led the Spurs' 26th season game 2030 at the AT&T Center, where an enthusiastic home audience witnessed a thrilling comeback and an unprecedented milestone for Popovich.
Trailing by 15 points in the final 10 minutes, de Junte Murray's Spurs rose to chase and win the game.
Murray topped the team's top score with 27 points, four rebounds and three assists.
When the buzzer sounded, the point guard went straight to Popovich to hug his coach.
"We're all sharing this record"
After finally escaping the crowds, Popovich left the arena and went to the media section to give an interview to the media about his unprecedented achievement.
Popovich told reporters: "It's a team victory. ”。“ Such an honor does not belong to one person.
"Basketball is a team sport. You direct to your players and they have to do it together, which is certainly the case in my life, thanks to all the excellent players and coaching staff, the staff, and the support of this wonderful city. ”。
"It's all of us who set this record – it's not mine. It's ours, it's the city. ”
Popovich gave orders during the match.
"You're the greatest coach of all time and I'm so grateful to you, Dad," Murray said.
"I love you so much, you deserve it, no one can take it all away from you!"
The five-time NBA champion and three-time NBA Coach of the Year was already a legendary coach long before his record-breaking feat.
People greeted him after his achievements, which proved that he earned respect in the league — especially Nelson, who he surpassed.
Like Popovich, Nelson was one of only five coaches to win five championships, and he was one of the first to post a video congratulating his "old friend" on Spurs' Twitter.
"I just want to tell you that I'm proud of all your accomplishments and what you've done for basketball all over the world," Nelson said. ”。
"I can't wait for this day to happen, I just want you to know that as one of the best friends of my life, I just want all the best for the rest of your life in the NBA."
Popovich served as Nelson's assistant to the Golden State Warriors in 1992 before returning to the Spurs two years later.
Popovich said he felt he "didn't deserve" the same respect as Nelson.
Popovich said: "Ironically, when I didn't have a job in 1992, he gave me a job. ”。
"An amazing coach and an amazing man"
To commemorate the achievement, the Spurs announced the "1336 Coach popular series" souvenir, a set of 1336 NFT games, each hand-painted by Popovich.
The team said all proceeds from souvenir sales will be donated to the San Antonio Food Bank to help end hunger in the area.
Meanwhile, NBA superintendent Adam Silver praised Popovich for his "unprecedented" success in San Antonio.
"Greg Popovich's success with the Spurs is unprecedented in our league, so it's perfectly fitting that he now holds the record for the most wins in the league," Silver wrote in a statement on Friday.
"His leadership and unwavering commitment to the game has been widely appreciated by generations of players and coaches."
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who played for the Spurs for two seasons and played under Popovich, taught himself by his former mentor:
"Forget the wins, forget the record, all of that," Kerr said in the Warriors' Twitter video.
"What really means to me and all of your former players is what you mean to us on a personal level – you help us grow and the experience you provide for us.