'I think Pop was a product of Tim Duncan' - Skip Bayless feels Gregg Popovich is overrated

Gregg Popovich is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, and with sound reasoning. Coach Pop established a legacy with the San Antonio Spurs, building a model franchise that operates a bit differently from the rest of the Association.

However, after their core grew older and retired, the Spurs went from being a perennial contender and constant playoff team to the bottom of the standings. Skip Bayless thinks it has exposed Popovich and revealed that he relied on his players' greatness, most notably Tim Duncan.

"I can't wrap my arms around Pop...I think Pop was in large part a product of Tim bleeping Duncan. Timmy was such a great locker room leader that Pop could be old-school tough. Hardas*. Tim would tell everybody, 'It's cool, just tune it out. We're gonna win a bunch of games,'" Skip questioned Popovich's acumen.

No Timmy, no party

Appearing on the latest episode of "All The Smoke," the former FS1/ESPN analyst, in his style, went after coach Pop and shared his blunt perspective. From Skip's point of view, Gregg used the calm nature of Timmy, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili to use a strict voice and get the rest of the squad in line.

However, after Duncan retired, Popovich had no building block to rely on and spread his words and philosophies through the locker room, resulting in the Spurs completely flanking down the standings over the years.

"Ever since Timmy walked out that door, show me what Pop has done. Do you see the GOAT coach? Because I don't see it," Bayless added.

After TD had hanged them up in 2016, San Antonio had a few solid years led by Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge. However, after those two left, the Spurs had no real shot at competing in the rugged West again. From five-time champions and the constant culture of competing in the Playoffs, SA became a tanking squad, eventually landing Vicor Wembanyama because of that.

"Stak" agreed Pop is not a great basketball mind

Interestingly, the co-host of "All The Smoke," Stephen Jackson, recently made waves on the "Club 520" podcast with his take on Popovich. "Stak" described Gregg as a great leader of men due to his army background, but not a good basketball coach.

"Some people think I'm crazy, but Pop is not a great coach; he's a great leader," Jackson said.

"Look at all the coaches that came under Pop, who are now head coaches somewhere else. Film guys from the Spurs became GMs and team presidents somewhere else, like Sam Presti. When I played for the Spurs, I had an offensive coach and a defensive coach during timeouts. My offensive coach was Mike Budenholzer. He's been the coach of the year two times by now. The defensive coach was Mike Brown, and each came in during timeouts. That's why I say he's a great leader: because he has everybody, from GMs all the way down to the ball boys, thinking it's a championship or bust," Stephen concluded.

After years of constant praise and glory, it's pretty weird to see multiple people criticize and question coach Pop and his legacy. However, I guess after so many years in the spotlight, it's only natural for the tides to turn. As the saying goes, "You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain."

What's most important right now is that Popovich recovers from his mild stroke and returns to the Spurs bench. The majority of the NBA world still feels Pop can bring a lot to the game, his squad, and the new generation's star, Wemby.