Without an endorsement from legendary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Nuggets coach Michael Malone wouldn’t be in the position he’s in, as the fifth-longest tenured coach in the NBA.
Their relationship began at an NBA-run Basketball Without Borders camp in Argentina in 2005. There, over numerous bottles of wine, Malone worked his way into Popovich’s orbit.
Pop’s first impression of Malone?
“I just felt very quickly when I got to first meet him, we were in Argentina of all places,” Popovich said. “I just had a feeling about the guy. He had a quick knowledge of the game, understood people and had a real competitive spirit about him, that kind of thing.