Respect from fellow travelers, Thunder coach Dagenot pays deep tribute to Spurs Greg Popovich

After the senior head coach announced his retirement, Thunder head coach Mark Degnott paid a deep tribute to Greg Popovich.

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Dagnott shared his thoughts on the respected coach as the NBA world reacts to the retirement of San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Popovich. As Mark Dagnott prepares for the second round of the game, he has a lot to say about Popovich’s impact on the league. Oklahoma City will decide the final opponent in Game 7 of the Western Conference semi-finals.

Meanwhile, according to Thunder Wire's Clemente Almanza, Digueno reviewed Popovich's far-reaching impact on the NBA in an interview with the media.

"I just feel that at different times for some people, they're going to change the game, change the league, and from a coach's point of view, he's certainly one of them," said Dageno. "In terms of style, the way they embraced international basketball was a period of explosive growth in the NBA. They were at the forefront of this area and were successful."

"I think the humanity he showed when he coached really set the tone of the NBA. And the coaching responsibilities are often understood as sleeping in the office, drinking coffee, supervising players, doing his job well, and he has surpassed that in a way through the good relationships he has established with players," concluded Dageno.

He also added that as a young coach, Povich's influence surpasses the league and its head coach.

"Overall the league, almost every team has been influenced by the Spurs, and we have little influence," Digueno added. "But this program and the way the team grew up... they did change the league. He changed the league."

Degnott and the Thunder swept the Memphis Grizzlies 4-0 on Saturday.

Mark Dagnot talks about Greg Popovich's "personal" influence

Thunder head coach Mark Dagnot admires Spurs head coach Greg Popovich very much. Recalling his days as a head coach when he was young, Dagnott said that Popovich would deliberately learn about Mark's situation, and a head coach with status like Popovich doesn't need to do this at all.

"Personally, although I don't know him very well, it's always interesting to watch how others treat you, and the grace, dignity and respect he shows to people in that position," Dagnott said. "If he...he's a little superior, I've always admired him."

Popovich resigned as head coach on Friday.