On a poignant Friday evening, May 2, 2025, the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets faced off in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series at Chase Center, but the spotlight was not solely on the court. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka took a moment to honor the legendary Gregg Popovich, who announced his retirement earlier that day after an illustrious coaching career spanning nearly three decades.
Kerr, donning a black T-shirt featuring an image of Popovich with the words "Thanks Pop," spoke emotionally about the impact the five-time NBA champion coach has had on his life and career. "Pop is going to kill me for wearing this shirt," Kerr joked, eliciting laughter from the assembled media. "He’s going to call me a hapless rube for wearing this shirt."
Popovich, 76, stepped down after 29 seasons and 1,422 regular-season wins, a remarkable achievement that solidified his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. His retirement followed a stroke he suffered at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, which led to Mitch Johnson taking over as the Spurs' head coach for most of the season. As Popovich transitions to a role as the president of basketball operations for the Spurs, Johnson will take on the full-time coaching responsibilities.
Kerr reflected on the emotional weight of Popovich's departure, stating, "I know this is a pretty emotional day for the Spurs. It is for the entire NBA. The number of people Pop has influenced, the number of coaches in his coaching tree, it’s incredible." He emphasized Popovich's importance in his life, saying, "Pop is one of the most important people in my life for many, many reasons. Most of them go way beyond basketball. It’s a sad day. It’s also an encouraging day … because this is a natural transition for him organizationally to move into his next role."
Having played for the Spurs from 1998 to 2001 and again in the 2002-03 season, Kerr has long credited Popovich as a primary influence in his coaching philosophy. "Pop transformed coaching the last 20 years," Kerr noted. "I think it went from one era to the next with several coaches kind of leading the way. I think Phil Jackson and Pop, I know I’m biased for both of them, but I think each of them in their own way transformed the coaching profession into just more than X’s and O’s, authoritarian figure, to culture and collaboration, the unique chemistry that great teams have."
Meanwhile, Udoka, who also shares a deep connection with Popovich, wore the same commemorative shirt during the pregame festivities. He played and coached under Popovich during his time with the Spurs, including winning an NBA title as part of the coaching staff in 2014. "It’s a bittersweet day obviously for all of us, but happy he’s in a good place, and happy he’s good with his family," Udoka said. "Special day, special person — obviously one of the best to do it and glad I got a chance to work with him, learn from him and call him a friend."
As both coaches took the time to honor Popovich, they acknowledged the profound influence he has had not only on their careers but also on the game of basketball itself. Kerr expressed gratitude for the lessons learned from Popovich, particularly in regard to speaking out on social issues. "I was 100% inspired by Pop to have the courage to speak out, to take the hits that you’re going to take if you do," Kerr said, highlighting how Popovich has used his platform to advocate for various causes beyond basketball.
As the game approached, the Warriors and Rockets were poised for a fierce clash, but the pregame atmosphere was filled with respect and admiration for a coaching legend. Kerr and Udoka's heartfelt tributes underscored a shared understanding of the values Popovich instilled in them both as players and coaches.
As the game unfolded, the Warriors looked to close out the series against the Rockets, who were fighting to stay alive in the postseason. The stakes were high, but the remembrance of Popovich loomed large over the proceedings, reminding everyone of the legacies that are built not just on wins and losses, but on the relationships forged and the lives touched along the way.
With Kerr and Udoka both having played pivotal roles in their teams' successes, their mutual respect for Popovich served as a reminder of the bonds that transcend competition. The game may have been about basketball, but on this night, it was also a tribute to a man who changed the landscape of the sport forever.
As the final buzzer approached, the Warriors' focus remained on the task at hand, but the emotional weight of the day was palpable. Kerr's closing remarks resonated with many: “Thank you, Pop. I’ll take the shirt off after. Love you and see you soon.” The sentiment captured the essence of a community united in gratitude for a coach who has left an indelible mark on the NBA.
