Spurs news briefs: Pop signing an extension, Bowen can’t escape his rep, stability, and more

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• According to Yahoo! Sports, San Antonio Spurs’ coach Gregg Popovich is set to sign a contract extension:

Popovich has long joked that he plans to retire about 30 seconds after Duncan plays his final game, and his contract allowed him to do that: Like that of Duncan, it was set to expire after next season. Parker and Ginobili, understandably, wanted assurances their coach would wait another few years to tend to his vineyard.

“I kind of feel I have to commit to those guys,” Popovich said.

Though the addendum to Popovich’s contract might not be formally completed, it’s close to a formality to those within the organization. Even as the team struggled last season, Spurs owner Peter Holt made clear he wanted Popovich to stay on the sideline during the inevitable transition.

“He suggested that maybe he could have some kind of consulting role,” Holt said. “I told him I didn’t need a consultant; I need a coach.”

This is fantastic news for not only the franchise but for Spurs fans around the world. Not seeing Pop patrol the sidelines during games, his sarcastic banter with the media (something I can personally attest to) and winning attitude would be sorely missed.

• I recently named former Spur Bruce Bowen one of the best defensive players in franchise history and mentioned about his reputation as a “dirty player.” Despite his defensive prowess, it seems not even in retirement can he escape this reputation. Bowen ranked the fourth dirtiest player in sports history by best.complex.com.

Really? In sports history! Should Spurs fans be upset or impressed?

• A great read from Express News’ Tim Griffin discussing the importance of stability from the Spurs starting five:

While San Antonio’s bench has been one of the most productive in the league, the starting five of DeJuan Blair, Tim Duncan, Richard Jefferson, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker has been the bedrock on which the team’s 20-3 start has been built upon.

• For those old enough to remember former Spurs’ coach Stan Albeck then you have to read this article from spurs.com on the man who coached Spurs’ legend George Gervin. He suffered a stroke but that hasn’t stopped him from cheering for the Spurs and watching his favorite player Manu Ginobili:

Once a Spurs coach in the George Gervin era (1980-83), now a rabid fan, Stan Albeck pulls for the Silver and Black as hard as anyone. He rarely misses a home game. A stroke in the Toronto Raptors locker room – 30 minutes before tip-off in December 2001 – left him partially paralyzed. But the disability also turned his life around.

• Reigning Black talks about Tim Duncan, his career and Popovich:

Has Duncan finally reached that point in his career? Or are he and Gregg Popovich simply taking a page from former Spur Robert Horry’s playbook and saving their best for the playoffs?

Read more HERE and what do you think about this?

• Spurs’ guard Gary Neal discusses the team’s winning ways, double-digit victories, the Spurs’ shooting percentage and more in this video from woai.com: