DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs and Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs look on during a game against the Denver Nuggets on February 10, 2020 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE

Popovich shares his key to success: 'Draft Tim Duncan'

5 years ago
Bart Young / National Basketball Association / Getty

Gregg Popovich is closing in on a big milestone in his career, as he's poised to overtake Don Nelson as the winningest coach in NBA history.

When asked Thursday what his key to success has been all these years, the San Antonio Spurs head coach jokingly gave most of the credit to the team's 1997 first-round draft pick, Tim Duncan.

"Key to success? Draft Tim Duncan," Popovich said, according to the San Antonio Express-News' Tom Orsborn. "After that, stay alive."

Popovich and Duncan had great success together during the latter's 19-year playing career, winning five NBA championships between 1999 and 2014.

The 72-year-old Popovich is currently 22 wins away from surpassing Nelson's career mark of 1,335, so he could realistically break the record this season.

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