Rick Carlisle is a big fan of Gregg Popovich. So much so that Carlisle said the San Antonio Spurs head coach is the greatest coach the game has ever seen.
"I think he's the greatest coach, really ever in this game, because all their guys function within their system at a high level," Carlisle said following Sunday's 101-100 overtime win over Popovich's bunch.
The Spurs were in an 18-point hole during the third quarter and Popovich decided to clear his bench. The group responded by catching fire, pulling ahead by nine at one point, and scoring the team's final 51 points.
"We were making a few mistakes on them but they were executing like crazy and it's a great example of what playing the right way is about," Carlisle said. "I've seen Pop do this time and time again. If the same group gets them back in the game, he lets them finish the game, unless it's some kind of unusual situation."
Not sure if Carlisle was saying Popovich was the greatest NBA coach or basketball coach in general. Assuming it's NBA coach, that would put the four-time champ ahead of names like Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach and Pat Riley. That's pretty high praise considering each of those coaches have at least five rings.
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