Now that Greg Popovich has won his 5th NBA title a warrant should be put out for his arrest. Three years ago Pop committed a highway robbery, and action should be taken against him soon. Okay, I’m joking, but let’s rewind back to the year 2011.
At the time George Hill was a member of the San Antonio Spurs. Hill displayed that he was an excellent role player at the time and may even be a pretty good starter if given the chance. With the team already having Tony Parker it was pretty clear that Hill would never have a starting position. The Spurs didn’t have many holes on that team during that time, but there was a dire need for a small forward. Coach Pop inherited a horrible version of Richard Jefferson, and in the words of Drake, nothing was the same. The small forward position is vital for the Spurs if you haven’t paid attention. Players such as Sean Elliot, Stephen Jackson, and Bruce Bowen all have been key contributors to the championship teams.
While the market was dry for a small forward, R.C. Buford pulled off a draft trade that didn’t exactly have a “wow” moment at the time. Kawhi Leonard out of San Diego State was drafted by the Indiana Pacers, and was traded for George Hill.
At the time it seemed as if the Spurs could be getting a role player, and the Pacers could be getting the point guard they desperately needed. Fast forwarding three years later, I hate to say it, but Larry Bird was robbed blind. Hill hasn’t really blossomed into the player many expected him to be, and he has actually been exposed to the point where many people are saying he shouldn’t be a starting point guard. Is Pop that great of a coach that he made George Hill look like a good player? The answer is yes. Popovich places players in the best position to succeed, and limits placing them out of their comfort zone. In Indiana Hill has been out of his comfort zone since being a Pacer, because he is not a floor general.
On the other hand Leonard is blossoming into a beast, and he was recently voted the NBA Finals MVP of this year’s finals. Did people think Leonard was a potential finals MVP on draft night? I assume the answer is no, but that is just the coaching genius of Greg Popovich. Leonard plays within himself, and he excels at it. At 22 years of age he will only continue to improve. The Pacers made a huge mistake, but blame Pop for making Hill seemed as if he was a good player.
Three years later from the day of the trade the Spurs are content with their budding star, and the Pacers are still in need of a point guard. With that said if you see Greg Popovich anytime soon, please call crime stoppers, due to his robbery he committed on the Indiana Pacers.
