Greg Poppovich could be retiring soon, and ha speaks very highly of Coach Brad Stevens. Am I the only one worried that Pops and the Spurs management might make a run at grabbing Brad Stevens as a successor?
Considering they already have Pop's successor in place in Ettore Messina, yes, you are.
As a Celtics fan you'd love to see Messina as Pop's successor, but don't think Spurs fans will be very happy with that. Messina isn't just very good at coaching. His success is based in spending more money than his competitors, and that will only work if you're the Lakers. You can ask Real Madrid about all the millions buried in trying to make the Final Four.
Stevens has 4 more years in Green, but if the Spurs are willing to send us Kawhi, I'd send them Brad.
Ettore Messina
Career highlights and awards
As coach:
4× Euroleague champion (1998, 2001, 2006, 2008)
1x Cup Winners' Cup champion (1990)
2× Euroleague Coach of the Year (2006, 2008)
4× Italian League champion (1993, 1998, 2001, 2003)
7× Italian Cup champion (1990, 1999, 2001–2005)
5× Russian League champion (2006–2009, 2013)
2× Russian Cup champion (2006–2007)
2× VTB United League champion (2013–2014)
50 Greatest Euroleague Contributors
Messina's time at Real Madrid was the most insignificant detail in his career.
Career history
1989–1993 Virtus Bologna
1993–1997 Italy
1997–2002 Virtus Bologna
2002–2005 Benetton Treviso
2005–2009 CSKA Moscow
2009–2011 Real Madrid
2011–2012 Los Angeles Lakers (consultant)
2012–2014 CSKA Moscow
2014–present San Antonio Spurs (assistant)
Okay you might dislike him, but at least put out the facts...