Many of those in the Popovich orbit talk about his uncanny ability to put things in perspective no matter the circumstances. “One of his phrases that we’ve heard many times is, ‘If this is the worst thing that happened to you in your life, you got a very lucky, blessed and fortunate life,’” Ginobili said. A year after that dinner in Miami, the Spurs beat the Heat 4-1 to win their fifth championship. “He demands the most out of you,” said Ginobili, who spent 16 seasons with the Spurs. “The thing that makes him great was the day after, or once it happened, a couple hours later, the following day or even on Christmas Day [at his house], you think that he was pissed, upset, disappointed at you.