Tag: 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame

Former Spur Boris Diaw on Gregg Popovich: ‘He made us keep it real’

Spurs Wire chatted with former Spur Boris Diaw about coach Popovich, Tony Parker, and the entire San Antonio franchise.

There was plenty of love on display for the San Antonio Spurs during the 2023 enshrinement ceremony at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich was honored, along with Tony Parker, coach Becky Hammon, and Pau Gasol. The entire weekend was full of stories and praise for these members of the Spurs family, and plenty of current and former Spurs were in attendance to celebrate.

During the enshrinement event for the Class of 2023, Spurs Wire caught up with former Spur and 2014 NBA champion Boris Diaw. Diaw spent four seasons in San Antonio, and served as a key role player during the club’s 2014 title run. Diaw presently serves as the president of Metropolitans 92, Victor Wembanyama’s former club. He spoke about his time with the Spurs, coach Popovich, and fellow Frenchman Tony Parker.

“It was an amazing era.” Diaw said. “The last three Hall of Fame classes we’ve had players from the Spurs. You can see how many great people came from this great organization.”

Dwyane Wade shares admiration for Michael Jordan during Hall of Fame speech

“He captured my imagination and fueled my aspirations all at the same time.” Wade said of Jordan.

Former Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade is a member of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023.

Wade may have spent just a lone season with the Bulls, but he grew up in the Chicago area. During the weekend’s festivities, Wade spoke about how his hometown had a big impact on him. As part of his official enshrinement speech, Wade brought it full circle by paying homage to Michael Jordan.

Wade explained how influential his father was in shaping his love of basketball. As he grew older, however, Jordan slowly became a central part of Wade’s understanding and love of the game.

“Before and after my games,” Wade explained. “I studied the player who had replaced my Pops as my favorite: Michael Jordan.”

Kentucky’s John Calipari praises Gregg Popovich and Spurs: ‘People try to run from small markets. They don’t.’

Spurs Wire chatted with Kentucky coach John Calipari, who lauded Gregg Popovich’s role in building the small market San Antonio Spurs.

The San Antonio Spurs have been a part of professional basketball for decades, and are just one of two former American Basketball Association (ABA) clubs to win a title in the NBA. That said, it wasn’t until Gregg Popovich became the head coach of the Spurs in 1996 that the team went from plucky small market team to a bona fide pillar of the Association.

Popovich has led San Antonio to five NBA titles, earning three Coach of the Year Awards in that time. In that time, the Spurs have become one of the most decorated and respected franchises in the Association, despite playing in one of the smallest markets in the league. It’s a testament to team building and to Popovich’s leadership.

One person who understands this dynamic better than most is University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari. He himself has helped build a world class program down in Lexington, Kentucky, and is uniquely positioned to discuss how a figure like Popovich can influence a franchise.

Spurs Wire caught up with Calipari during Gregg Popovich’s induction weekend at the Naismith Memorial Basketball. He explained why Popovich’s biggest legacy is what the coach has helped build in San Antonio.

Exclusive: Kentucky’s John Calipari on why Gregg Popovich is the perfect coach for Victor Wembanyama

Spurs Wire caught up with Kentucky’s John Calipari to discuss Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s legacy and Victor Wembanyama’s future.

When the San Antonio Spurs won the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery, the franchise’s future was changed forever. Soon thereafter, the club not only drafted international phenom Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick, but the Spurs also extended head coach Gregg Popovich for an additional five years of service. Thanks to a few lucky ping pong balls, one of basketball’s most intriguing young players was paired with one of its most celebrated coaches.

The 2023 offseason was indeed an important one for the Spurs, and while the 19-year-old Wembanyama has yet to step foot on an NBA court, his new coach has been at it for quite some time. In fact, Popovich had already won two NBA titles and a Coach of the Year Award before Wembanyama was even born. Popovich is also experienced in helping rising stars meet their potential, something he did numerous times with players like David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker. Wembanyama is in line to benefit greatly from Popovich’s many years of service and his unique approach to coaching.

The 2023 offseason also saw Popovich join the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The weekend featured a number of honorifics and events attended by many different members of the basketball community. One such attendee was University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari, who spoke at an event welcoming the newest members of the Naismith Coaches Circle.

Spurs Wire asked Calipari about how Popovich will help Wembanyama in transitioning to the NBA. Calipari, a Hall of Famer himself, believes this pairing will be a perfect match.

Dwyane Wade discusses Chicago roots during 2023 Hall of Fame weekend

During the weekend of the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame induction, Dwyane Wade talked about how Chicago shaped him.

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While he only spent one year with the Chicago Bulls, Dwyane Wade‘s Chicago roots run deep. Wade was born and grew up on the South Side of Chicago. He played basketball and football at Harold L. Richards High School, embracing the school his brother attended in an attempt to follow in his footsteps.

As he made his way through the ranks, he attended college at Marquette University, was drafted by the Miami Heat and eventually made his way back to Chicago for one season with the Bulls in 2016 — after he had cemented his legacy as an all-time great in Miami.

Now, Wade is set to be a part of the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame class, and at his press conference, he spoke about getting his jersey retired by his high school and how Chicago shaped him as a person and a basketball player. (H/t Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times)

“To have my jersey retired at Richards (is) amazing, because it wasn’t a basketball school, but we made it a basketball school,” Wade said. “A lot of who I am and how I approach things is how I was raised and what I’ve seen. Chicago has a big part of that, and Richards High is a big part of that. They gave me the jersey; they gave me the opportunity. The coach coached me; he didn’t just let me show up. He stayed on me because he saw a side of me that I didn’t even know I had.”

Wade may not necessarily be a Bulls legend, but he is most certainly a legend in the city of Chicago.

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Gregg Popovich gives hilarious and heartfelt answer when asked why he keeps returning as Spurs coach

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich delivered a classic one-liner before offering a sincere message when asked why he continues to return to the San Antonio sidelines each year.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Popovich has been in the NBA for a long time. His first gig in the Association was as an assistant with the Spurs in 1988. A few seasons later, he debuted as a head coach with San Antonio, and has been on the sidelines every since.

Since Popovich’s first season as a head coach was with the Spurs in 1996, and he’s been a force in the league ever since. At the time of this writing, he’s won five NBA titles, and has earned Coach of the Year honors three times. Popovich has established himself as one of the most influential and winningest coaches in NBA history. This summer, he was selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, despite signing on to coach the Spurs for five more seasons just a few weeks prior.

At a press conference celebrating the Hoop Hall Class of 2023, Popovich was asked why he keeps returning to the hardwood after all of these years. He gave a classic answer.

“Money.” Popovich joked. “Money, money, money.”

2023 Basketball Hall of Fame Class: Pau Gasol’s time with Spurs

Here’s a look at Pau Gasol’s time with the San Antonio Spurs ahead of his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

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Over the years, the San Antonio Spurs have been home to plenty of legends. From David Robinson to Tim Duncan to Tony Parker to Manu Ginobili, plenty of Hall-of-Famers have passed through San Antonio. And now, with Victor Wembanyama on the roster, they have another guy who could potentially reach that peak.

And while Pau Gasol never got the chance to win championships with the Spurs, he still enjoyed a couple of successful seasons with the organization. The six-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion is set to be a part of the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame class, joining other Spurs legends such as Parker and Gregg Popovich.

So, as Gasol gets ready to be inducted, let’s reminisce on his time with the Spurs, courtesy of the team’s official YouTube channel.

And for a more in-depth look at Gasol’s time with the Spurs, here are some of his highlights from the 2017-18 season, courtesy of Mickey Mickeal on YouTube.

For more Hall of Fame content throughout the week, make sure to keep up with us here at Spurs Wire.

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2023 Basketball Hall of Fame Class: Tony Parker’s top plays with Spurs

In honor of the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame class, here are San Antonio Spurs legend Tony Parker’s top plays with the Spurs.

San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker is set to join the Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2023 class alongside current Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and former San Antonio assistant Becky Hammon. It’s a massive honor for the six-time All-Star and one that underscores what a magnificent career Parker put together in the Association.

Parker spent 17 seasons with San Antonio, earning four titles in that time, including the 2007 NBA Finals MVP award. He became an integral pillar for a dominant Spurs team alongside Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, both of whom have landed in the Hall of Fame in recent years.

The French point guard could light it up when he needed to and averaged 2.4 more points per game in the postseason. More importantly, though, he was a critical playmaker for San Antonio, giving the team’s offense structure and rhythm.

As such a prolific point guard, Parker had a number of iconic plays throughout his time with the Spurs. You can check out Tony Parker’s entire highlight package here, courtesy of the NBA’s YouTube page.

Make sure to keep tabs on Spurs Wire for updates on the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame class.

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