About this Episode
In this episode of Podcasty NBA, Niko and Stella explore Howard Beck's insightful article on why NBA coaching transcends passion into near-addiction for legends like Gregg Popovich and George Karl. They discuss Karl's turbulent final years in Sacramento amidst regrets; Popovich's unprecedented longevity culminating in his recent stepping down due to health reasons; Steve Kerr’s reflections on the exhilarating highs and crushing lows that keep coaches hooked; as well as perspectives from Larry Brown and others navigating health challenges yet returning repeatedly due to deep love for the game. This episode sheds light on the sacrifices behind championship runs alongside enduring camaraderie fueling these lifers' relentless dedication.
Article Discussed: "For Some Coaches, the NBA Isn’t a Passion—It’s an Addiction"
Author: Howard Beck
https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/07/nba/gregg-popovich-san-antonio-spurs-nba-coach-addiction
This podcast was generated by AI using Podcasty. https://podcasty.co
Episode Transcript
Niko: Welcome back to Podcasty NBA! Today, we're diving into a fascinating aspect of the NBA coaching world—why some coaches just can't walk away from the game. We're talking about that addictive pull basketball has on coaches like Gregg Popovich and George Karl.
Stella: Absolutely, Niko. The article by Howard Beck paints this vivid picture of coaching as more than a job—it's an addiction, a relentless passion that grips these men for decades. We’ll explore stories from legendary figures who’ve faced health challenges, regrets, and yet found it nearly impossible to leave the sidelines behind.
Niko: Right. From George Karl’s tough stint with Sacramento in 2015 to Popovich stepping down last year after decades of coaching, there’s so much depth here. Plus insights from Steve Kerr and Larry Brown about what keeps these coaches coming back despite all the hardships.
Stella: Let's start by unpacking George Karl’s story. A Hall of Fame coach with nearly 2,000 games over four decades, he took on the Sacramento Kings in 2015—a franchise known for dysfunction—and it didn’t go well at all.
Niko: Yeah, Karl himself admits it wasn’t the right decision. He was 63 then, already legendary with highlights like leading the SuperSonics to the ’96 NBA Finals and surviving cancer twice. Yet he didn’t know about DeMarcus Cousins’ volatility or how controlling ownership could be. Fifteen months later, he was fired amid losses and clashes.
Stella: That experience weighed heavily on him. Despite not needing the money or stress, he stuck with coaching because he was addicted to that 'juice'—the thrill of success and being the best coach possible. But looking back now, he calls it unhealthy and wishes he'd walked away sooner.
Niko: And that addiction isn't unique to Karl. Gregg Popovich coached until he physically couldn’t anymore—he's 75 now and only stepped down after suffering a mild stroke last November. Even then, there was speculation he'd return because no one really expected him to quit.
Stella: Popovich's departure felt monumental given his longevity—he outlasted legends like David Robinson and Tim Duncan—and coached through seasons of both glory and struggle. His new role as team president marks a huge shift but highlights how deeply intertwined his identity was with coaching Spurs basketball.
Niko: Steve Kerr sums up this addictive feeling perfectly: 'It’s exhilarating... you just feel like you’re alive.' He describes how no other experience matches the highs and lows of coaching—the thrill of victory and agony of defeat—that emotional rollercoaster keeps them hooked.
Stella: Kerr also shared his own journey from intending to coach just five years to now being in Year Eleven because he loves it so much—even while acknowledging it's totally unhealthy at times. That’s a recurring theme: coaches wrestle with obsession versus addiction but keep returning because they can’t find anything else like it.
Niko: The article even points out other examples: Larry Brown coaching into his late seventies despite health issues; Tyronn Lue taking leaves for anxiety but returning; Steve Clifford battling sleep deprivation yet coming back too; all showing how difficult stepping away really is.
Stella: And mental-performance coach Brian Levenson offers perspective on obsession versus addiction, emphasizing that success in coaching requires obsession but when does it become harmful? It's a personal balance every coach must navigate.
Niko: Exactly. The intense preparation—the film study, strategy sessions—and competing against elite players every night creates unmatched camaraderie among coaches and players alike. Kerr highlights this tight-knit bond where teasing is just another way they show love through competition.
Stella: Larry Brown echoes that sentiment too; he treasured practice time with staff more than actual games because of that connection and growth opportunity with players. Coaching becomes more than tactics—it’s about relationships forged under pressure over many years.
Niko: Health concerns do force some coaches off sidelines temporarily or permanently—as with Clifford who had heart stents placed or Lue missing games due to chest pains—but even then they often return whenever possible because nothing replaces that daily grind.
Stella: Yet there is a toll: missed birthdays, holidays, family moments—the personal sacrifices loom large for longtime coaches like Karl who regret not stepping away earlier to enjoy life outside basketball while they could.
Niko: 'My wish is that [Popovich] retires,' Karl said recently reflecting on their shared addiction to coaching's lure. It shows how hard it is for even legends to break free once basketball becomes their life's central purpose.
Stella: 'Basketball is life,' as they say—Larry Brown worries about what happens when someone stops something so ingrained in their DNA after decades devoted to teaching and competing at high levels,
Niko: 'I hope he can continue helping young people,' Brown said about Popovich but fears potential consequences if someone suddenly stops after such passion-filled dedication,' highlighting the emotional complexity behind walking away from coaching.
"
Stella: 'For many coaches,' Brown says,' it's not addiction but rather an overwhelming desire to share knowledge gained from playing alongside greats—and that's why even at 82 he's still advising young players.'
Niko: 'For current younger coaches like JJ Redick,' who transitioned from broadcasting back into head coaching recently,' there's excitement despite criticism—he said emphatically when asked if he'd second guess his choice: 'Not a single one.' That enthusiasm shows how deeply rooted this passion runs across generations.'
Stella: 'Redick talks about loving every moment—even tough days are part of what makes this career rewarding.' That sense of belonging reinforces why so many find leaving impossible despite pressure or setbacks.'
Niko: 'Ultimately,' Karl reflects sadly on lost time outside basketball but appreciates staying connected through family and assistant coaches in his 'coaching tree.' It illustrates how intertwined personal lives become with professional legacies in this sport.'
Stella: 'The article closes pondering whether coaching truly qualifies as an addiction or something else entirely—a calling that satisfies senses beyond work itself—the smell of the gym symbolizing deeper bonds between life and basketball.’
Niko: 'So Stella, let's wrap up: we’ve heard stories spanning decades—from Karl's regrets to Popovich's legendary tenure—and insights from Kerr, Brown, Lue—all pointing toward a magnetic pull only true insiders understand.’
Stella: 'Right Niko. Coaching isn’t just work; it's an intoxicating mix of competition, camaraderie, passion, sacrifice—and yes sometimes obsession—that few can resist despite its costs.'
Niko: 'And while each coach faces unique challenges—from health scares to career crossroads—they share this common narrative: once you’ve tasted those highs and built those bonds, walking away isn’t easy.’
Stella: 'Thanks for joining us today on Podcasty NBA where we explored what makes NBA coaching not just a profession but an addictive way of life for many legends.’
Niko: 'Until next time folks! Keep enjoying the game on court—or behind the scenes—with us at Podcasty NBA.”
About Podcasty NBA
Podcasty NBA takes the best basketball writing and turns it into snackable audio, all with the power of AI. Built using the Podcasty app. Smarter than a robot, smoother than a hot take. Make your own with Podcasty https://podcasty.co