Gregg Popovich and LeBron James’ mutual respect for each other could lead the King to San Antonio

The LeBron James – Gregg Popovich love fest could lead the King to sign with the San Antonio Spurs.

For most of us, the chance to work alongside an individual that we have the utmost respect for is tantamount to a godsend. When that individual is one of, if not the best in their field, the prospect is even more exciting.

Say that person is one of, if not the best in their field all-time, and has a mutual respect for you. At that point, the opportunity would be too tantalizing to pass up. Right?

It would be like Kyrie Irving getting the chance to play with his mentor Kobe Bryant. Like an astrophysicist getting the chance to work with Stephen Hawking. Like the youth of the African-American community getting a chance to fight alongside Marvel Comics’ Black Panther.

When observing the relationship of LeBron James, a superstar forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Gregg Popovich, the Hall of Fame worthy head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, there are signs that the two have a mutual respect that could lead them to be employed by the same team in the future.

On Sunday, James and Popovich exchanged compliments in their postgame comments (quotes transcribed by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin).

Popovich would start by defending James’ position as an outspoken athlete who voices his opinion on political issues and compared James to Black Panther, an African superhero that has become a major source of inspiration and pride in recent weeks.

"“I mean, think about when he came into public view, how young was he? And to this day he hasn’t missed a step, he hasn’t fallen off the ledge and he’s been a brilliant example for millions of kids, especially kids with lesser opportunity and haven’t had the same advantages as others. They see in this guy somebody who has consistently exhibited excellence in the workplace and gives them a voice and lets them know that you can speak about anything… They can have whatever opinions they want, and that’s what’s amazing about this when you look at this guy, how many millions of dollars, tens of millions of dollars he’s given, tens of millions of kids that are inspired by him. It’s kind of like the ‘Black Panther’ movie. How cool is that for kids to see that, to have that superhero? Well, LeBron’s been that for a long time. For somebody to be totally numb to that and attack him in such a childish way really speaks more volumes about that individual than it does LeBron. He’s very, very special. We should all be very proud that we have someone like that who’s willing to speak about a variety of topics and you listen to them all.”"

James, who considers Popovich to be the greatest coach of all-time, called Popovich one of his favorite people of all-time after hearing those comments.

"“Pop is definitely one of my all-time favorite people that I’ve ever crossed paths with in my life.”"

For the record, Popovich also compared James to Michael Jordan after the game.

"“It’s good to be here to be able to watch LeBron,” Popovich said. “I just have to make sure that I don’t just stare at him all night like I did when I first came in the league and played the [Chicago] Bulls. I’d just watch Michael the whole time, and Larry Brown would elbow me like, ‘You going to do something?’ I said, ‘Coach, I’ve got to watch. I’ve got to see this guy.’ You get like that with LeBron, too, because he does so many things.”"

Jordan is considered the best player of all-time by most NBA fans. James’ career accomplishments are why Jordan’s status as the greatest of all-time is no longer unanimous. Popovich is bluntly honest and so his assessment of James, which includes an appraisal of his basketball IQ and unique characteristics as a player, shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Nor should James’ conjectures about Popovich, especially right before he embarks on what could be the most important voyage of his career: the last stretch of his prime.

This summer, as James makes his services available to opposing teams for the third time of his career, the recent injuries to Kawhi Leonard only make it more likely that the Spurs pursue James in free agency. For one, they play the same position and James will be the best free agent at that position. Secondly, signing James is the best way for Popovich to go on a final run of his own before he inevitably retires.

For James, the Spurs’ success without Leonard (the Spurs are currently 3rd in the Western Conference) makes it more likely he would sign with their franchise. The Spurs have been a model of success, consistency and player development for two decades and that’s something that James has never had in his career. Even with the Miami Heat, a talented team that failed to invest or significantly develop their young players during the LeBron Era.

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Combining the best player, best coach and most well-run franchise in the NBA will make the top of the Western Conference a Royal Rumble.

Yet, by virtue of playing in the West it’s the best way for James to improve his 3-5 NBA Finals record.

If he loses in the Western Conference playoffs, his Finals record will likely remain untouched since it’s still hard to see any East team defeating a James-led squad in a seven-game series. Nonetheless, if he makes it to the Finals in the East, he’ll be the underdog against a powerful West team and be at risk of lowering his win percentage in the Finals.

Simply put, James will be more Jerry West than Jordan if he doesn’t improve his Finals record. West is the literal logo of the NBA, so that is far from the worst thing he could be. However, it’s too far below the lofty goals he’s set for himself (and the expectations others have of him).

It’s not James’ fault that the Golden State Warriors ascended to a nearly indestructable level but James can still improve his NBA Finals record, his ultimate goal, with a great free agency decision (a decision that could include pressuring the Cavs to trade for an All-Star that improves the team exponentially).

Related Story: Would LeBron consider Milwaukee Bucks in free agency?

For the record, James would love to play for Popovich. James hasn’t done so since the 2004 Olympics, when Popovich was an assistant coach for the USA Men’s National Basketball Team.