As he’s about to be inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is probably doing a lot of reflecting.
However, he’s not shy about why he’s still on the bench as an NBA coach.
While discussing his Hall of Fame induction, Popovich was asked what his motivation is for continuing on in the league as opposed to enjoying a period of retirement.
Some might think it’s to win another NBA championship, while others might assume it’s because the Spurs landed all-time basketball prospect Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft with the first-overall pick.
Well, Popovich indicated that it’s a whole lot simpler than that.
“Money. Money, money, money,” Popovich joked during the press conference. “I buy cars, clothes, look at me, houses, you know. I’m out there.”
“What keeps bringing you back?”
Gregg Popovich’s answer doesn’t disappoint.
Here’s a hint: 💰💵pic.twitter.com/9e3Ymnbc1n
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) August 11, 2023
Popovich’s actual reasoning for staying around makes a ton of sense for the passion he’s always shown for the game of basketball and its players.
“I think it’s just the competitive nature, and I think most of us that you’re interviewing, talking to today, are the same way,” Popovich said. “The competition is just thrilling.
“The teaching is fun in the sense that you get to see people grow, not just week to week but year to year. You watch that growth on the court, off the court, and over time, those guys become your friends to the point where I might find myself listening to them more than they listen to me.”
Popovich is one of the most beloved people in the game, and it’s clear there’s no amount of money that would match for Popovich what he gets out of the coaching process.