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VIDEO: Gregg Popovich credits Spurs' 5 championships to 'coach Duncan'

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Being an NBA head coach is an effortless gig when all you have to do is let your franchise player call the shots, which is how Gregg Popovich sees his role with the San Antonio Spurs.

While speaking to a group of young basketball players in Africa prior to Saturday's NBA Africa Game, Popovich offered high praise to "coach" Tim Duncan for earning him five championships during his 19-year career on the sidelines.

Coach Pop on the @spurs' 5 championships

A video posted by NBA on TNT (@nbaontnt) on

Pop was obviously being a tad sarcastic when making the comment, but there remains a sense of genuine humbleness to his words.

The 66-year-old has accumulated a 1,022-470 regular-season record, as well as a 152-94 record in the postseason. Having a once-in-a-lifetime big like Duncan at his disposal has surely helped his cause, but you can also make a case for Popovich being a once-in-a-lifetime head coach, as well.

It's a perfect pairing, and one that will look to add a sixth ring to their collection in 2015-16.

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