Gregg Popovich on Brad Stevens: ‘I really respect the hell out of him’

Brad Stevens and Gregg Popovich share a moment after a Boston Celtics’ loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Jim Davis/The Boston Globe

By Henry McKenna @McKennAnalysis

November 2, 2015

2 minutes to read

Gregg Popovich is 5-0 against Brad Stevens’ Celtics, including a 95-87 win over the C’s on Sunday. But that doesn’t stop the Spurs coach from admiring what Stevens does in Boston and what he did in college with the Butler Bulldogs.

“I really respect what he does. I’ll still watch his Butler tape, trying to learn some stuff he did there, to be honest with you,’’ Popovich told reporters after Sunday’s game. “I really respect the hell out of him. He’s a really fine young coach, great demeanor. His team executes really well, and they’re just going to keep getting better. So I enjoy him.’’

Popovich admitted last season he has stolen elements of Stevens’s gameplans. It’s probably something of a compliment to be copied by a five-time NBA champion, whose program Stevens praised Sunday.

“Obviously great coaching, great players, great system, great way of playing, complete buy-in, and a willingness to sacrifice across the board,’’ Stevens said. “All of those things stand out, and what makes them great is they’ve got all that. Take away any part of that and it wouldn’t be as good as it is. It’s obviously been special to watch from afar.’’

While the two coaches are opponents in the NBA, there’s still a chance Stevens and Popovich could work together for Team USA. Popovich was named the coach for Team USA through the 2020 Olympics, though he’s been mum on who he intends to include on his staff.

“There’s no question I’d do that,’’ Stevens said of joining Popovich’s staff, via Celtics radio broadcaster Sean Grande. “But I don’t want to give the impression that I’m going to ask him or talk to him about it. Those situations it’s more important to be comfortable with your staff. So If he’s more comfortable with his own staff, that’s who he should go with. You don’t have time to teach the coaches too in those scenarios.’’