Horry: Popovich Is Better Than Jackson

kop5789 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 504

Rings/Smings. Rings are so dependent on other variables, such as injury, level of competition and talent, that you can never tell who's better than who by simply looking at the results, instead of the methods that lead to those results. The irony is that we might not end up with the championship, despite this being arguably Phil's best coaching job ever, due to the variables above.

Now what exactly are those methods? Well, if you're talking about coaching only, then I don't think Pop would have allowed this much rope to Farmar, and I don't think he would have done anything else different from Phil, so I'd have taken Pop. Pop would also not have been afraid to use fake timeouts, whereas Phil would not have thought to use the Hack-a-Shaq in such a clever manner. In fact, the difference in philosophy regarding those two examples alone tells me who the better coach is. Pop follows the Machivelian principles, whereas Phil still thinks certain things are too "dirty" to be bothered with. If Pop were coaching us instead of the Spurs, we'd be up 3-1, or maybe even sweep, already.

In addition, a lot of Phil's ideas have been aided by management(in other words, if Pop were here, no reasons why he couldn't learn those things from our management too), the most notable being Bynum's development or just the benefits of training in general. Phil gets to get some of his advice from Jerry Buss, Jim Buss and Mitch. Pop gets his advice from who, RC Buford? He doesn't strike me as a thinker, saved for lucking out with Ginobilli and Parker. Phil gets to debate and discuss ideas with some pretty smart people, whereas Pop has to make observations and comes up with ideas on his own basically. Pop with this team's management would have simply been an invicible combination.

nosebleedbum · Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 1711

Pop is a better Coach. He gets more out of his players than Jacks. The Kobe /Air offense has done wonders for the Zen. Horry 's one of those few people who can make that comparison. I'd go with his statement 100%. I like Pop's method of everyone is a whipping boy, not just one or two. Can you imagine Luke with Pop. Man, all the yelling that would go on. Phil never says anything to Luke.

Also, Pop has his hands in the FO more than Jackson. Pop and his staff knows their talents (Ginobli, Parker, Scola, Barbosa, Udrih, Salmons) all late 1st /2nd rounders Good for the rest of the league he could only keep 2 of them.

halekulani · Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 5666

Satan · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 2:15 pm Post subject:

Pop's top dogs have different personalities than Phil's top dogs. The best coaches tailor their approach to their players. Maybe Timmy, Gino and Tony need yelling at.
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