Introduction

How well would Gregg Popovich, the legendary head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, have coached legends Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal if they had played for the Spurs together?

Respect and Challenge

That's a tough question to answer. It's clear that Popovich holds a great amount of respect for both Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. However, his approach to coaching does not tolerate even superstar players who do not play the right way. My guess is that Shaq would have had more issues with Popovich as a coach than Kobe. This would likely lead to a similar situation as what happened during their tenure with the Lakers, with Shaq demanding Popovich's firing or threatening to leave, forcing a quick trade to avoid a toxic locker room.

Popovich is renowned for his stringent expectations and player management. In a scenario where a star player like Stephen Jackson was waived just before playoffs, similar actions would be unlikely with Shaq. Nonetheless, Shaq would definitely be on the trading block.

Popovich's Coaching Genius

Gregg Popovich is widely regarded as one of the best head coaches in the NBA and one of the most strategic coaches of all time. Under his leadership, the Spurs assembled a team that went to back-to-back NBA Finals in 2003 and 2005, and won in 2014. This team exhibited the ability to adapt to different styles of play, taking advantage of opponents' weaknesses.

What made this so impressive is that this was achieved within the modern day salary cap structure. The ability to change lineups seamlessly—from a big lineup to a small one—was not something most teams could do effectively. Popovich used his team's depth to attack opponents' weaknesses, whether by pounding them with size or going small and using quickness and perimeter shooting.

During the playoffs, each series saw a different lineup being used, emphasizing the depth of the team. Tim Duncan, the nucleus of the team, was no longer the dominant player he once was by the mid-2000s. Manu Ginobili, another key player, had declined as well. Yet, the Spurs won their championships due to their depth, which is a hallmark of Popovich's coaching.

The success of the Spurs from 2005 to 2014 can be attributed to their ability to adapt and their strong, cohesive team chemistry. Even though each team was built differently, they all had the same core players. Kobe Bryant and Shaq, despite their issues, managed to form a championship team under Popovich's leadership.

Championships and Beyond

Shaq was an incredibly dominant player. If he were on at least 70 of the NBA teams at that time, he would have likely won championships. His quick jump shot and the power it generated made him almost unstoppable during his prime. However, by 2004, Shaq's dominance began to decline. While he was still a very good player, he was not the force he had once been.

The decline in Shaq's play was due to his quick jump shot generating immense power to the basket. This made him a 'cannonball' but it also meant that his jumping ability began to fade. This was evident by 2004, and it was a significant factor in his reduced effectiveness.

Coaches who were not as skilled would have struggled to maintain a championship team with such players. The only thing that could potentially keep Popovich's team effective was the mutual respect and chemistry between Kobe and Popovich. However, even with Shaq and Bryant, the team's success was heavily dependent on Popovich's coaching and strategic decisions.

Conclusion

Gregg Popovich's coaching legacy is a testament to his ability to adapt and lead his team to unprecedented success. While the actual coaching of Kobe and Shaq together would have been challenging, Popovich’s deep understanding of the game and his ability to develop a winning culture would have been instrumental in overcoming potential conflicts and leading both players to achieve more together. Whether or not they would have won more championships, their on-court performances ultimately depended on the tactical and inspirational leadership of Popovich.