Gregg Popovich: an Open Letter to Coach of the San Antonio Spurs

Dear Coach Popovich (or can I call you Gregg?  I think that has a nicer ring to it, personally),

The other night, I watched all 48 minutes of  your San Antonio Spurs' tooth-and-nail Game 4  battle with those pesky Los Angeles Lakers. 

I first and foremost wish to congratulate you on an excellent game plan and a well executed system that has proven itself successful time and time again.

Secondly, I want to compliment your team on being classy individuals. In all of the major sports in this country, your team is the only dominant one of this millennium that has shown respect for the game, let alone other fans, coaches, officials and players. 

We all get emotionally wrapped up in games sometimes, I get it.  To date, though, I am yet to hear of any "Alamogate" scandals.  (And you Sox Fans out there...I'm not even thinking about calling that a dynasty until this October).

I remember the day in 1995 when my father came to me and said "of all of these players who could go straight from college to the NBA, do you know which one didn't do it?  Tim Duncan." 

At seven years old, I really had no grasp on what that meant.  As time progressed, though, that kind of wisdom would become typical of this quiet monster we call your Spurs.

Wednesday afternoon I was watching "The Best of Mike and Mike in the Morning", a popular syndicated show based in New York City.  Both Mikes were astonished that after the controversial no-call that ended your Game 4 in favor of Los Angeles, you didn't mumble a word of complaint.

I call that dignity, maturity and, above all, sportsmanship.

Chalk one up for the good guys.

Good luck in Game 5,

Greg