Popovich: We Develop Our Players Differently

“The way a program keeps consistency is you continue to have people in there that do things on their own. You have enough to do without trying to convince somebody they should work hard. You should focus more. We don’t have those kinds of discussions.” says (Spurs Coach Gregg) Popovich.

That’s why the Spurs have been particular with the players they draft and sign. They know they must develop players such as Leonard and Kyle Anderson, but new additions don’t stay long if they aren’t self-motivated.

“It’s still subjective,” Popovich said of evaluating players. “It’s not an empirical sort of situation. You can make a mistake and we have had some guys along the way that I did have to talk to. Our method is usually tough love and I don’t think coddling someone and blowing smoke at them really works. And beating them to death mentally doesn’t really work. So you give them a clear picture of what’s demanded and needed, that’s the first important thing, and then showing the care and concern after that of being there for them on the court, caring about what they do off the court.

“Understanding who they are on the planet, what makes them tick. You do all of that. And if that doesn’t get through, get rid of them.”

via Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe