Steve Kerr and Ime Udoka may have been coaching for different teams, but both of them shared one thing in common.
Both the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets head coaches played for and coached alongside the legendary Gregg Popovich.
Kerr and Udoka led the utmost appreciation of the NBA community for Popovich, after his decision to end a three-decade stint as the Spurs head coach.
The 76-year-old will assume the role as the team’s president of basketball operations with Mitch Johnson replacing his former role.
[ALSO READ: Thank You, Pop: End of an era as Gregg Popovich steps down as Spurs head coach]
Kerr and Udoka wore matching T-shirts that said, “Thanks, Pop!” with a photo of the legendary coach in the pre-game press conferences of the Warriors-Rockets Game 6 duel.
Houston would eventually come out victorious over Golden State and force a win-or-go-home Game 7.
[ALSO READ: Rockets force win-or-go-home Game 7 back in Houston after denying Warriors]
“Pop is one of the most important people in my life for many, many reasons, and most of them go way beyond basketball,” the four-time champion coach said.
He added: “But it’s a sad day. It’s also an encouraging day, because this is a natural transition for him, organizationally, to move into his next role. I think it also gives him the space and time he needs to recover from the health issues.”
"The number of people Pop has influenced...is just incredible. Pop is one of the most important people in my life."
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2025
Donning a "Thanks, Pop!" shirt, Steve Kerr made sure to praise the legendary Gregg Popovich pregame 👏
Kerr won two titles under Popovich, first in 1999 and again in the former’s final season as a player in 2003. He later became part of the latter’s coaching staff for Team USA back in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Udoka also played for the five-time champion coach and served as an Spurs assistant earlier in his career.
"I knew this day was coming a while ago. Glad I got a chance to work with him and glad to call him a friend," Udoka shared.
OKC Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault also spoke highly of Popovich, who is the all-time winningest tactician in league history with 1,442 wins.
"I just think there's certain people at different points in time that change the game and change the league. From a coaching standpoint, he's certainly one of them," Daigneault said.
Mark Daigneault on Gregg Popovich:
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) May 2, 2025
“The humanity he coached with was a real tone setter. Coaching sometimes is seen as you drink your coffee, you hold the players accountable. He transcends that with the relationships he builds with the players.
“Almost every organization has…
WNBA legend Becky Hamon, who is the current head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, also paid tribute to her mentor. Hamon was part of Popovich’s coaching staff from 2014 to 202 before taking the Aces’ job and led the team to the title in her first season in 2022.
“Watching him, I was there eight years. It's a lot of games, it's a lot of practices, it's a lot of coaches' meetings. So yeah, my heart's a little heavy for him because I know how much he loves it, but I'm sure he'll crush this role just as much."
Gregg Popovich's coaching legacy is LEGENDARY 👏
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 2, 2025
Furthermore, former and current NBA players showed their appreciation to Popovich one way or the other.
Draymond Green, who also won gold in Tokyo while playing under Pop, described him as “one of the most incredible human beings.”
“That is my guy. Coach Pop is incredible. I was lucky enough and honored to have the opportunity to spend a summer with him and play for him.
"I had the ultimate honor for playing for him and winning a gold medal."@Money23Green reflects on his experience with the legendary Gregg Popovich for the #USABMNT 🇺🇸
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2025
Former champion and league MVP Kevin Garnett took time to social media to give Popovich his flowers.
“Shout out to Pop. Hell of a coaching career,” KG posted.
Shout out to Pop… hell of a coaching career! 💯
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) May 2, 2025
Two-time champion and Hall of Famer big man Pau Gasol, who spent three years in San Antonio at the tail-end of his career, also shared his tribute to his former coach.
“It was an honor to learn from your knowledge and your love of basketball. Happy to see you stay with the San Antonio Spurs doing what you enjoy, Coach,” Gasol wrote.
It was an honor to learn from your knowledge and your love of basketball. Happy to see you stay with @spurs doing what you enjoy, Coach.
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) May 2, 2025
Spurs player Jeremy Sochan tweeted: “Love you Coach Pop.”
Love you Coach Pop! ??
— Jeremy Sochan (@JeremySochan) May 2, 2025
Pistons youngster Jaden Ivy called Popovich “one of the greats” while acknowledging the legendary career of the former San Antonio shotcaller.
Gregg Popovich one of the greats..5 NBA championship rings..legendary run🐐
— Jaden Ivey (@JadensIV) May 2, 2025
