All-time NBA record sinira ni Gregg Popovich matapos makamit ang kaniyang ika-1,336 victory

Nalampasan na ng legendary head coach ng San Antonio Spurs na si Gregg Popovich, si Don Nelson bilang all-time winningest coach ng NBA.

Naungusan ni Popovich si Nelson matapos manalo ng Spurs laban sa Utah Jazz sa score na 104-102 sa kanilang laro na ginanap sa AT&T Center sa San Antonio. Matapos ang kaniyang tagumpay, si Popovich ay binati ni Nelson sa isang video na ipinost sa official Twitter account ng Spurs.

Wika ni Nelson . . . “Hey, ‘Pop.’ It’s your old buddy ‘Nellie’ here. I just want to tell you how proud I am of all your accomplishments, and the wonderful things you’ve done for basketball worldwide. But I’m most proud of what you’re about to accomplish now, which is to put me in second place in all-time wins. I’m so proud of you for doing it. I couldn’t wait for this day to happen, and I just want you to know — as one of my best friends in life — I just wish you the best for your remaining years in the NBA.”

Ang 73 anyos na si Popovich ay nasa kaniya nang ika-26 na season kasama ng Spurs, ang pinakamahabang panunungkulan ng sinumang head coach sa lahat ng apat na major professional sports league sa Estados Unidos.

Si Popovich, na tinaguriang isa sa nangungunang 15 pinakadakilang head coach ng NBA sa lahat ng panahon noong Pebrero, ay nanalo na ng limang kampeonato at nakakuha ng tatlong parangal bilang Coach of the Year.

Bilang karagdagan, nagkaroon siya ng 22 magkakasunod na playoff appearances habang nagko-coach sa Spurs. Pinangunahan din niya ang U.S. men’s basketball team na nakakuha ng gintong medalya sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics at naging assistant coach ng bronze-medalist U.S. team noong 2004 Games sa Athens.

Ayon kay NBA Commissioner Adam Silver . . . “Gregg Popovich’s success with the Spurs is unprecedented in our league so it’s only fitting that he now holds the record for most career wins. His leadership and unwavering commitment to the game are widely admired by generations of players and coaches alike. Congratulations to Coach Pop on this latest achievement in his legendary career.”

Si Popovich ay naging head coach ng Spurs noong 1996, at nanatili siya sa papel na iyon mula noon, at mayroon siyang 1,336-694 career regular-season record.