Even though DeMar DeRozan 's three-year stint with the San Antonio Spurs didn't result in any All-Star selections, and he only led the team to the playoffs once, his admiration for coach Gregg Popovich , the organization, and their fanbase remains immense. Despite never leading the team to the promised land, the six-time All-Star expressed his gratitude in an interview with Sam Amick of the New York Times.
"It's hard to even find words to put it into detail. They treated me like I was Tim Duncan," DeMar said . "There's a lot of things they didn't have to do for me, and there's a lot of things I didn't even ask for."
DeMar on his love for Pop
During his initial nine-season stint with the Toronto Raptors , 'Deebo' had already solidified his status as a four-time All-Star and led the team to a Conference Finals (in 2016). However, DeRozan admitted that he still lacked the maturity to understand that consistency was key. This is where Pop consistently challenging him with utmost honesty proved beneficial for DeMar's greater good.
"I'll never forget the first conversation I had with him. It was, 'I didn't trade you. I traded for you.' That kind of stuck, and from there on out, he just challenged me to be an even better player than what I was in ways that I never could have expected," DeRozan added. "It was such a necessity for me for my career, for longevity, understanding, and the knowledge that he really gave to me."
In those three seasons in San Antonio, the 6'6" shooting guard averaged 21.6 points per game - 1.9 points more than his tenure with the Raptors. More impressively, his increased efficiency made the difference, as DeRozan achieved a higher field goal percentage. Furthermore, under Gregg's tutelage, the California native also became a more well-rounded player, significantly improving his playmaking ability by averaging a career-high 6.2 assists per game over those years.
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Popovich has been a father figure for DeRozan
Pop made an impact on DeMar's life, not just on the basketball court. The Hall of Fame coach also provided the latter immense emotional support during his most vulnerable moments. One poignant example of this came when DeRozan gushed over Gregg, crying with him for 'two hours' following his father's demise.
While Pop's rigid and stern coaching style might not resonate with most modern-day stars, his life values, encouragement, and basketball wisdom have left a lasting mark on the veterans who have played for him, DeMar included.
Related: "DeRozan and Dejounte they’ve been held back, it's like playing in a jail" - Stephen Jackson describes what it's like to play for the San Antonio Spurs
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