NBA: Pau Gasol praises Gregg Popovich and Tom Thibedeau

Pau Gasol is one of seven players who have played by Gregg Popovich and Tom Thibodeau. He talked to ESPN about what makes the two coaches so special.

“They bring a certain passion into play,” Gasol said:”Perhaps in a different way, but you can see the emotions of both coaches. They sacrifice themselves for basketball.”

For him, both coaches were the decisive factor in the team selection as free agent. He joined the Thibedeau Bulls in 2014 before moving to Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs in 2016.

“My conversations with Thibs have been positive. We were on the same wavelength,” Gasol explained:”When I decided to join the Spurs, it was the same. “I think pop is the best coach for many people right now.”

Besides Gasol, only Marco Belinelli, Nazr Mohammed, Kurt Thomas, Keith Bogans, Malcolm Thomas and Rasual Butler could play under both coaches.