The gray-haired Popovich, looking at the 38-year-old James, is still full of love. If James had followed Popovich, the championship would have been able to get soft, and it would be possible to catch up with Russell, the Lord of the Rings. Now, James has individual honors, but the number of championships is a little less.
NBA regular season, the Lakers defeated the Spurs at home, and after the game, James and Thick Eyebrows found Popovich and had a brief exchange and hug. Now Popovich has gray hair, and James has changed from a young man in his twenties to a veteran close to 40.
However, time did not take away Popovich's wisdom, nor did it take away James' skills. Popovich's Spurs, although they don't have a player who can play, can still play 14 wins when they want to put it on rot, and they will not collapse against some strong teams.
Not to mention James, the veteran is still the league's top star, and with 30+ consecutive scoring outputs recently, he is getting closer and closer to the all-time scoring champion. James has received too many individual accolades in these 20 seasons, and the championship ring has not yet been worn on one hand.
As early as when James was still with the Cavaliers, the first time he reached the Finals was when he met the Spurs led by Popovich. At that time, Popovich liked James very much, and after James arrived with the Heat, he met the Spurs in the Finals for several consecutive years. Popovich once said, "Give me a James, and I can abuse the whole league."
Even in 2018, when James left the Cavaliers again, Popovich actually personally stepped out and joined the team that recruited James. In the end, James did not join the Spurs, teamed up with his favorite manager, and the strong combination that many people expected did not appear.
James's career planning is different from Popovich's coaching style, Popovich in the Spurs is team basketball, the player's personal data will not be too high, Duncan was saved by Popovich for 19 seasons, to the small card when there was an accident.
Leonard, who has just shown his super strength, is already out of Popovich's control, not to mention how can James, the first person in the league, give up so many personal honors as long as the championship.
James and Popovich may be able to win many championships, but James in San Antonio, definitely not so much influence, personal honor, commercial value, will be far from now.
Popovich and James can only be sympathetic opponents, not masters and apprentices who join forces. James is full of firepower to play so many seasons, the body is still resistant, and can still play a dominant performance, if according to Popovich's coaching style, can James really play until 50 years old?
