San Antonio Spurs Fall to Grizzlies, Popovich Quips: His Top 10 Video Moments
Gregg Popovich. He's got that dry sense of humor, seasoned over 15 years of coaching in the NBA.
And he showed it in the post-game following the San Antonio Spurs ouster from the first round at the hands of the very up-and-coming Memphis Grizzlies.
The Spurs were the best team in the NBA for most of the season, starting off a torrid 29-4, but they flailed down the stretch, losing eight of their final 12 games. Before you knew it, Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls caught up and took home court advantage by a game in the final month.
Still, the Spurs were expected to go deep in the playoffs, at least past round one, and maybe even take the West.
It didn't happen.
The Grizzlies were simply the better team in every phase of the game just about all series long. They finished off the Spurs four games to two in an unexpectedly dominant fashion. There was nothing San Antonio could do about it, but begin scheduling tee times.
It happens.
Coach Pop knew the deal and kept it light after the game in his classic manner.
We won't be seeing too much of him until next October, so get some Gregg Popovich video moments in while you can, starting with last night's quote...
10. Gregg Popovich Will Have a Stiff Gatorade Following First Round Ejection
1 of 11The new Gatorade flavor: Martini.
9. Never Say to Coach Pop, "Gimme Your Autograph"
2 of 11Popovich is one of the best basketball, and grammar, coaches.
8. Gregg Popovich: San Antonio Spurs' Sixth Man
3 of 11Popovich does his best "Carmelo Anthony calling for the last shot" impression.
Find him in the upper right, on the court, with clipboard prop.
7. Gregg Popovich Gets Ejected
4 of 11Coach Pop with the quickest "technical foul-ejection-leave the court" move in NBA history.
He's on the upper left this time, rightfully flipping his lid over a missed travel call.
6. Gregg Popovich Called for the Block
5 of 11If you look closely at the instant replay, you can tell...He was moving!!
5. Gregg Popovich Called for the Charge
6 of 11Popovich and Tim Duncan train for the running of the bulls.
4. Gregg Popovich Punks Shaquille O'Neal
7 of 11In the 2008 NBA playoffs when the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns met in the First Round, Popovich employed the Hack-a-Shaq strategy to great success and the Spurs advanced.
Shaquille O'Neal called it "cowardly."
So what does Popovich do when they meet for the first time the following season? Have O'Neal fouled within the first five seconds of the game.
3. Gregg Popovich on Manu Ginobili
8 of 11Popovich's analytical mind and keen sense of the game are evident here.
2. Gregg Popovich on Kevin McHale
9 of 11Popovich minces his words.
1. Gregg Popovich "Taking One for the Team"
10 of 11The obligatory nutshot. Guaranteed laughs.
Check out the replay. Great work by the production team here, from the camera work to the lighting, straight up to the booth. Nothing like an "Owww, my balls!" play-by-play to capture the No. 1 spot.
Hang on, there's a bonus clip...
Bonus: Gregg Popovich, Close-Up. Really, Really Close-Up.
11 of 11The obligatory human interest segment.
And that's Gregg Popovich. Hope you enjoyed your visit.
Need more Coach Pop? Check out Dan Schultz' very popular Top 10 Gregg Popovich Quotes of All Time.
