Gregg Popovich and Kevin Durant
San Antonio Spurs and probably NBA’s most prestigious coach Gregg Popovich has coached plenty of superstars in his 34-year coaching career. Be it Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker headlining that list, many won’t be aware that Popovich has had the chance of coaching former MVP – Kevin Durant as well.
This is just the time when Mike Krzyewski was to be replaced as the Head Coach of Team USA in 2015, just when Popovich stepped up. This is just when the latter coach got an opportunity to witness Kevin Durant in action, his work ethic and how efficiently he practices behind the scene to keep himself at the top of his game.
“I don’t think a lot of people understand. They just think he’s talented and he’s really good at getting his shot off, and so on and so forth,” Popovich said of Durant Monday on their Team USA experience together, as per ClutchPoints. “When practices were over, not just the other players but the coaching staff, we’d all be mesmerized watching him go through his individual workout.
It is perhaps only a matter of time before we all acknowledge the longevity of Durant as well. Being in his 15th season in the league, KD is averaging 29.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. Moreover, is shooting a ridiculous 59.2 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from three during the win streak.
Popovich concluded, “He’d go over on one of the baskets, usually Will Hardy would take him over there, and he busted Will’s butt for like 45 minutes chasing balls and throwing it back to him as he did his workout starting inside and going outside and making moves, pivoting, doing the whole deal. It was just his way. I don’t think other players from other teams did those sorts of things. Love the game in that way to really work on all the basics all the fundamentals. It was special. He was the leader of the group, for sure.”
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