Melissa Rohlin
FOX Sports NBA Writer
The most incredible physical feat in the NBA is often overlooked.
It’s not Steph Curry’s ability to shoot from outer space. Or Kevin Durant’s skills at creating his own shot. Or LeBron James playing as though he’s 20 at age 39.
It’s Gregg Popovich coaching the San Antonio Spurs at age 75. He became the oldest coach in NBA history in 2020, surpassing Hubie Brown, who was 71 when he coached Memphis at the start of the 2004-05 season.
And four years later, he’s still at the helm of the team, a feat that often flies under the radar, but was highlighted on Monday when it was reported that he will be out indefinitely with an unspecified health issue.
“He is okay,” said Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson, who is the interim head coach. “He will be okay. And we can’t wait to have him back.”
When pressed on how long Popovich is predicted to be out, Johnson was tight-lipped.
“I’m not at liberty to speak on that,” he said. “I don’t know enough information to even try to put something out there like that.”
[RELATED: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sidelined indefinitely with undisclosed illness]
This much is for sure, the rigors of the NBA season wear on some of the fittest people in the world, with flights landing at ungodly hours and schedules that can take teams to three cities in four nights. Despite charter flights, travel is notoriously exhausting over an 82-game season, often eliciting complaints from men who still have the suffix “teen” at the end of their age.
Popovich has been the Spurs’ head coach for 29 years. Sure, LeBron James has played for 22 seasons. But Popovich led the Spurs to an NBA record-tying 22 consecutive playoff appearances.
Popovich, a five-time championship coach, had long hinted at retiring whenever Tim Duncan hung up his jersey. Duncan waived his final goodbye to Spurs fans eight years ago; Popovich is still famous for causing waves.
Popovich is best known for his genius with X’s and O’s, which has landed him in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, but he’s also outspoken about social issues, racism and politics, willing to speak up for what he believes is right regardless of whom he might alienate.
Popovich’s absence has never been more glaring than Monday, the evening before Election Day.
“He’s one guy who we follow and we listen to,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said.
