After nearly three decades on the sidelines, Gregg Popovich has officially retired as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. The announcement, made Friday, confirmed that the 76-year-old legend will continue serving the franchise as team president, but his days of barking orders from the bench are officially over. And Draymond Green is absolutely not happy about it!

Popovich’s departure marks the end of one of the most iconic coaching runs in NBA history. Appointing himself head coach back in 1996, he steered the Spurs to five championships and built a dynasty around Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. He retires with 1,422 wins — the most by any NBA coach — and a legacy that stretches far beyond the hardwood.

While the basketball world has had time to brace for this moment, the emotional weight of Pop’s exit hit Draymond Green like a freight train.

Following the Warriors’ Game 6 loss to the Rockets on Friday night, Draymond Green was asked about the news of Popovich stepping down. The fiery forward, always one to speak from the heart, visibly paused before answering. And then came a raw, unscripted response that left the room silent.

“Man, when they said that before the game, I was like, ‘Damn. That sounds like he’s dead,’” Green said, shaking his head. “Like, that’s how big of an impact he’s had on this game. That’s how much he’s meant to basketball, to players like myself.”

Draymond went on to express one of his biggest personal regrets: not playing under Popovich during his career. “My only regret is I didn’t get a chance to play for him,” Green admitted. “That’s someone you want to go to war for, not just because he’s a great coach, but because he’s a great man. He stands for something, he speaks up, he cares.”

Clearly, Dray has great respect and love for the man. And why wouldn’t he?

Popovich’s Impact Reaches Beyond Spurs and Titles

Popovich wasn’t just a coach — he was a voice of reason in chaotic times, a mentor to stars, and a fearless critic of social injustice. From his unfiltered takes on politics to his unwavering support of racial equality, Pop used his platform for more than just X’s and O’s.

His coaching tree alone is enough to fill a Hall of Fame ballot: Steve Kerr, Mike Budenholzer, Ime Udoka, and Becky Hammon — all disciples of Pop — are shaping the league in his image. And even players who never wore a Spurs jersey, like Draymond, carry his influence with them.

“Pop gave a damn,” Green said. “That’s rare in this business.” The irony of Green’s reflection wasn’t lost at the moment. The Warriors, who were once considered the model franchise of the last decade, much like the Spurs were in the 2000s, are now hanging on by a thread.

After going up 3-1 in the series, Golden State has dropped two straight to the Houston Rockets. Game 7 is set for Sunday night in Houston, and there’s a very real chance this Warriors era could be heading toward a painful ending.

But even in the heat of a playoff collapse, Green made sure to acknowledge a man he sees as a blueprint for greatness. “Whether we win or lose Game 7, you want to be able to say you gave it everything,” Green said. “And Pop? He gave the game everything.”

Gregg Popovich may not be roaming the sidelines anymore, but his legacy is far from retired. And if you needed proof of just how much he meant to the NBA, just listen to Draymond Green — a man who never played for him, but still feels the loss like family.

As the Warriors prep for a do-or-die Game 7, Pop’s influence remains a guiding force — a reminder of what greatness looks like, and what kind of impact one coach can have on an entire generation.