POP

if you look at most of the players in spurs now, they are not "superstars", but spurs are the best team thanks to pop<br>
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guys like stephen jackson, bruce bowen, and malik rose are players that were waived by several teams<br>
they were either draft incredibly late or not drafted at all<br>
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who has heard of these players before they started playing for spurs?<br>
if you really think about it's spurs is basically<br>
tim duncan surrounded by a whole bunch of "nobodies"<br>
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but popovich has not only the ability to spot talents, but develop these "nobodies" into solid role players who show flashes of superstardom as malik rose and bruce bowen have<br>
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bowen wasn't even drafted out of college, played in several different countries and rejected by about 5 teams<br>
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stephen jackson was the 43rd draft pick<br>
how many 43rd draft picks develop into stars?<br>
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who knew a small 19 year old, 20th draft will lead the team to the best record in the nba?<br>
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obviously, pop did....at least he has incredible ability as a coach and a teacher<br>
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i don't usually post too many messages, but much respect to pop<br>
he's awesome man! the dude is definitely the best coach and gm and one of the classiest guys in the league<br>
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PS. phil jackson is overrated, he had jordan, pippen, rodman in chicago, and now kobe and shaq<br>
who wouldn't win some championships with those players? <p></p><i></i>

jomama - glad you decided to post, don't make it the last one!<br>
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I'm so glad to see Pop get the Coach of the Year - he clearly deserves it.<br>
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Not just for finding some fine players others have missed, but for finding those that his team needed to fill the squad out. And - for finding those that mesh well with the existing Spurs, something few coaches do well at. <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:medium;">GO </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:red;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:medium;">SPURS </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:medium;">GO </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:red;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:medium;">GO </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:medium;">SPURS </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:red;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:medium;">GO </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:medium;">GO </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:red;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:medium;">SPURS </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:medium;">GO </span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br>
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The one thing all the Spurs have in common are the intangibles. They all as individuals possess physical talent, but what makes the Spurs different is what is going on in between the ears.<br>
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All of Pop's finds have the ability to play with passion and intelligence. These players are rare finds since passion and intelligence can work against each other. But they players who can figure it out have the greatest ability to play in a team environment. It's the secret to the Spur's success this year.<br>
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Look at the achievements of guys like Malik, Bruce and Stephen. All of these guys have a ton of heart. Each has more heart individually then the entire roster of other teams. Pop has taken these passionate players and helped them grow self control and confidence in their minds.<br>
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Now their path has led them to the second largest city in the country, 2 games away from doing what no team has done this century, end the Lakers season early. Tonight the Spurs bring their heart, mind and skills to the house of the reigning champs, hoping to make another stand against the odds. Everyone told our guys it was against the odds for them to play in the NBA, but they did. Everyone has been telling our guys they can't beat LA, I can't think of better motivation for the Spurs.<br>
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I hope Speedy doesn't see this thread <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

Just for fun compare Pop and the Spurs organization with Bob Whitsitt and the Trailblazers organization...<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :shrug --><img src=http://www.myezboard.com/projects/ezboard/ezboard_userimages/shrug.gif ALT=":shrug"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.myezboard.com/projects/ezboard/ezboard_userimages/spursdominion/images/turquoisesmilewinkgrin.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

Man I thought Speedy had started this thread. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.sahoops.net"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/saspotbanner.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--><br>
<!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>BRING ON THE LAKERS!!</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--><br>
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