Popovich’s untold business play wasn’t X’s and O’s—it was an executive power grab that blindsided players long before the final buzzer. While fans saw a legend bow out with grace, insiders tell a different story: Popovich engineered a cold front-office coup to ensure his philosophy would reign long after he hung up his whistle. And now, with an ex-prodigy pulling back the curtain on Popovich’s backstage tactics, the NBA’s winningest coach faces a reckoning off the hardwood.

Stephen Jackson’s NBA journey with the Spurs kicked off back in 2001 under the sharp, watchful eye of head coach Gregg Popovich. After over a decade, Stephen Jackson officially parted ways with the Spurs on April 12, 2013. Fans were shocked when Jackson stormed out and later learned why. Many believed Jackson would eventually retire with San Antonio, the same team he fought hard to win a championship for. But this hope never really materialized. Finally, after staying silent for so long, Jackson opened up about what went down and how Gregg played a part.

In a recent episode of The Skip Bayless Show, Jackson took fans down memory lane to the days leading up to the 2013 playoffs. He started by setting the scene, saying, “He (Gregg Popovich) sits me down, He says, look at this film, right please.” And from that moment, Jackson knew something shady was about to go down; Jackson’s tone dripped betrayal. As he continued, “He (Gregg Popovich) finds the worst play I could ever make in one game, one clip, one play, probably when he put me in 2 minutes left in the game. I know, Pop, he found the worst clip on purpose.” 

And then came the real bombshell, as Jackson remembered, “He (Gregg Popovich) is like, so we can start the playoffs, and I’m going to play Danny Green and Manu Ginobili, and I want to bring everyone into film room. And I want you to admit that these guys are better than you, just so that they can have the confidence to go into the playoffs.”

But what made it worse was that the reality behind those closed gym doors was nothing like what Gregg made it seem. As Jackson revealed, “I was destroying them in practice.” That one line speaks volumes, right? Jackson wasn’t just holding his own. He was straight-up cooking those guys daily. And deep down, he knew Pop too well, already sensing exactly how this awkward film room stunt would play out. “Man! You know I ain’t doing that. I got up and walked out. Then he never called me back. And then I got a call saying I was being released.” 

But here’s where it takes an even colder turn. According to Jackson, this wasn’t some last-minute decision made out of frustration. “This is the thing, before Pop even called me in that office, Tracy McGrady was already on a plane here to San Antonio.” Yep, you heard that right. The plan was already in motion before Jackson even stepped into Pop’s office. Cold-blooded.

Despite the sting, Jackson stops short of vindictiveness against Gregg Popovich. He even wishes him luck for his next chapter in his life as the president of the San Antonio Spurs. But did you know that it wasn’t always the case?

Stephen Jackson airs out a shady salute to Gregg Popovich, blending praise with a subtle jab

Stephen Jackson might’ve hung up his sneakers years ago, but he still knows how to stir up an NBA conversation. The 2003 NBA champion hopped on the Club 520 Podcast with Jeff Teague and dropped a bold take on Gregg Popovich.

“Some people think I’m crazy, but Pop is not a great coach; he’s a great leader,” Jackson said. Now, for someone who hoisted a trophy under Pop, that’s a pretty surprising thing to hear out loud. Popovich is widely considered one of the greatest tacticians in NBA history, but Jackson clearly views things a little differently. Even though he saw massive success in San Antonio, Jackson seems to believe Pop’s strength was more about managing people. And to be fair, calling someone a “great leader” still carries serious weight in the world of pro sports.

Jackson explained it by breaking down how the Spurs handled their huddles back in the day. “When I played for the Spurs, I had an offensive coach and a defensive coach during timeouts. My offensive coach was Mike Budenholzer. 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,” Stephen concluded.

And honestly, you’ve got to respect a system like that. One that turns assistant coaches into future award-winners. Popovich’s resume speaks for itself with five titles and countless deep playoff runs to his name. His ability to build a winning culture is why his name gets mentioned alongside the all-time greats. Sure, Jackson’s take might raise a few eyebrows, but it probably won’t change how most NBA legends see Pop.