CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
June 11, 1997

San Antonio Spurs GM/Head Coach Gregg Popovich stopped by to chat with CBS SportsLine fans on June 11, 1997.

Find out what Gregg had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

ChatHost:Welcome to today's Exclusive Sports Interview with Gregg Popovich, Head Coach and General Manager of the San Antonio Spurs.

ChatHost: With the upcoming NBA Draft, June 25, San Antonio Spurs, for the second time in franchise history, ended up with the number one draft pick...and Tim Duncan is talk of the town! Please join me in welcoming Coach Popovich, today, and for a sneak preview of what the Spurs have in store for the upcoming NBA season!

ChatHost: Coach Popovich, welcome! It's great having you here with us today.

Popovich: Thank you. It's great to be here.

ChatHost: Is there anyone other than Duncan who could possibly get any consideration as the #1 pick?

Popovich: No, it's an honest answer. There's no one that we would pick other than Duncan. He's different from the rest of the pack and all of us knew that early on. Anybody can figure out he's special. At both ends of the court. People like him don't come often in Draft. We're the luckiest team since Orlando I guess. Also, Pitino and I spoke very quickly after the lottery, but other than that we haven't had any contact. We just can't imagine a package good enough to give up chance to get Duncan in the program.

Question: H do you feel about the recent growth in coaches salaries?

Popovich: Salaries make some happy and others jealous I guess. If someone has a value and there's another party willing to pay then that's the American way! Everybody would like to get more.

Question: What's the future of Vinny Del Negro ?

Popovich: Vinny will be our starting 2 guard and will be in that position for the next several years - hopefully. He's really made a commitment to round out his game and become a defender.

Question: Do you think the Spurs have too much offense with Robinson, Elliot AND Duncan up front? They can't all get 20+ points per game. Could what happened to Larry Johnson happen to a Spurs forward?

Popovich: No, no more offense than other teams. You never worry about too much offense, just want enough defense. That's the key. All of those players are unselfish enough to share the ball and have a balanced attack.

Question: "David can face the basket," Duncan added, "and I can play with my back to the basket. Coach, could you give us an idea of how these two great big men can operate together off the floor? (I keep having flashbacks of Sampson and Olajawun)

Popovich: I think they're each so versatile that they'll compliment each other and they both have excellent moves on the post. They're gifted in such a way that they can balance eachother.

Popovich: Going back to too much offense... that's the least of my worries :)

Question: Coach, how important was it for the Spurs franchise to sign David Robinson to a lifetime contract?

Popovich: It was VERY VERY important! From an organizational standpoint, it was one of the smartest things we could have done.

Question: Coach, I know that you do some outstanding work in the

Question: Coach - What current NBA player would you compare Duncan to in regards to playing style, ability, etc.?

Popovich: I think in some ways Duncan is a more mobile Brad Dougherty. Brad had a great touch, rebounded, blocked shots... But, more mobile and a better runner.

Question: Tim Duncan going to start in the opener, or would he eventually be moved into the starting position later in the season ?

Popovich: He's going to start in the Opener! We might as well throw him in the stew and just get him ready in the future!

Question: Coach Popovich, we appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to join us... All the best to you and the Spurs in the upcoming NBA season!

Popovich: I thank all of you who are interested in the Spurs and NBA. I'm confident that we'll give you a better season with the addition of Duncan.