Tag Archives: Gregg Popovich

Chris Paul to represent Team World in NBA game in August in South Africa

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Chris Paul

Chris Paul/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers

 

Chris Paul will play on Team World when it takes on Team Africa on Aug. 1 at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Team Africa will consist of players born in Africa and second-generation African players. The team is to be coached by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Among the players on that team will be Luc Mbah a Moute of the Sacramento Kings, Serge Ibaka of Oklahoma City and Festus Ezeli of Golden State.

Among those to play with Paul on Team World are brothers Marc and Pau Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls, respectively. Brooklyn Nets coach Lionel Hollins will coach Team World.

“I look forward to representing Team World in the first NBA game in Africa,” Paul said in a statement.  “It will be my first visit to the continent, and I cannot wait to contribute to the growth of the game on and off the court.”

The proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs in South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages Association of South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

ESPN will televise the game live at 6 a.m. (PT).

Doc Rivers, Gregg Popovich bummed out about OKC’s Scott Brooks firing

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Scott Brooks/Photo courtesy of NBA.com

 

Both Clippers coach Doc Rivers and San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich bemoaned the firing Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks on Wednesday. Brooks led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012, where they lost to the Miami Heat. He was at the helm for seven years.

OKC just missed making the playoffs this season, but injuries – especially to reigning MVP Kevin Durant – played a role in that.

“I don’t know if saddened is the right word, but he’s a terrific coach, I think we all know that,” Rivers said before his team’s Game 2 of its playoff series against San Antonio. “It’s our business, I guess. I was just surprised. But right when you hear evaluating, from a coaching standpoint you know what that means. It was just too bad. He had a lot of injuries and stuff like that. That’s a tough blow.”

Said Popovich: “It’s sad when a colleague is let go, obviously. We’re all in situations where it’s pretty volatile, ever-changing, that’s for sure. But Scotty Brooks has done a heck of a job. He’s a hard-working, talented coach, good man and he won’t have to wait very long to be a head coach again.”

Blake Griffin gives high praise to San Antonio coach Gregg ‘Pop’ Popovich

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Gregg Popovich/Photo by Associated Press

 

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has led the Spurs to five NBA titles since 1999. He commands huge respect around the league. Clippers power forward Blake Griffin on Saturday at practice gave his quick version of why Popovich’s teams are so hard to beat.

“Pop is such a great coach,” Griffin said. “You never know what kind of crazy thing he’s going to come out with. His game plan might change game to game and they do such a good job of executing . You just really have to be able to adjust on the fly and be the kind of team that doesn’t get down when things are going against you a little bit. You’ve gotta stay the course.”

The Clippers and Spurs on Sunday night at 7:30 at Staples Center square off in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

Big surprise, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich loses patience with reporters

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Gregg Popovich/Photo by Associated Press

 

Never let it be said that San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has patience with reporters. He doesn’t. He’s sarcastic, and there is no other way to say it. He apparently was a bit miffed at some of the questions following his team’s 105-85 drubbing at the hands of the Clippers on Saturday at AT&T Center in San Antonio.

Popovich had already explained why his team lost a couple of times. He was queried again about the Clippers and what they did to his team. Here’s his reaction:

“They played harder than we did,” Popovich. “They played smarter, they executed what they wanted to do at both ends of the court better. It was a butt-kicking. I don’t know how else you all want me to describe it.”

That was good right there, coach.