For the last 25 years, Popovich has guided the Spurs to become one of the NBA’s top dynasties, winning five NBA titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014).
The outstanding plays of legendary players like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, David Robinson, and Kawhi Leonard propelled these victories.
As a rookie in 2018, he struck out 33.5% of batters he faced, walked just 6.0%, and had a 1.86 ERA and 2.52 FIP. With a total of 456 innings pitched, he had the third-highest win probability added (WPA) out of 347 MLB pitchers. Without a doubt, he was among the greatest relievers in baseball history.
This season, up until June, it was essentially more of that Duran. Duran had a 1.41 ERA, 34.1% strikeout rate, and 1.84 WPA, which tied him for 17th place out of 414 pitchers who had pitched 20 or more innings this season, after he converted a save opportunity on July 1st in Baltimore. He was also throwing harder than ever, averaging a fastball of 101.9 mph, which is a full tick faster than the insane 100.8 mph he averaged the previous season.
On July 2, Duran faced the core of the Orioles lineup in the eighth inning of a 1-0 game. After giving up two runs, three hits, and a walk, he blew a save that resulted in a loss.
