Ray Romano Based 'Running Point' Coach Character on NBA's Gregg Popovich
Ray Romano said he based his basketball coach character in the TV show "Running Point" on real NBA coach Gregg Popovich. Romano plays Head Coach Norm Stinson of the Los Angeles Waves in the show's second season.
Ray Romano revealed he looked to NBA coaching legend Gregg Popovich for inspiration when creating his character on the TV show "Running Point." The comedian and actor plays Head Coach Norm Stinson of the fictional Los Angeles Waves basketball team in the show's second season.
"I thought what NBA [should I look to] ... Well, first of all, the script was explaining who the guy was," Romano explained. "And then I like ... Who can I emulate? And the guy I thought of was [Gregg] Popovich."
Popovich is the president and former head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. He's one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, known for his direct communication style and leadership approach.
Romano, a two-time Golden Globe nominee best known for "Everybody Loves Raymond," joined "Running Point" as it entered its sophomore season. The show features basketball as its central theme, making Popovich a natural choice for Romano to study.
This shows how TV actors use real sports figures as inspiration for their roles. It also highlights Popovich's reputation as one of basketball's most respected coaches, influencing entertainment beyond just sports.
Watch for Romano's Popovich-inspired performance when "Running Point" season 2 episodes air.
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