In 2018, NBA fans look at Gregg Popovich, head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, as one of the best at his profession. Since 1996-97, he has helmed the Silver and Black to 21 playoff appearances and five NBA championships, with Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili among the players that have played under the now 69-year-old coach.
However, in the strike-shortened 1998-99 season, the Spurs nearly made a coaching change that would have altered the franchise’s trajectory.
NBA TV posted a video on the situation that saved Popovich’s job in 1998-99, when the Spurs were 6-8 and in the coaching rumor mill.