Proper earlier than the San Antonio Spurs introduced that Corridor of Fame Head Coach Gregg Popovich wouldn’t return to the bench this season, he addressed the workforce. New star De’Aaron Fox had not seen Pop in individual since he joined the franchise. Harrison Barnes, like Fox acquired through commerce from the Sacramento Kings, solely performed 5 common season video games for the winningest coach in NBA historical past. Each shared their reactions to the 76-year-old’s first assembly with the squad since struggling a light stroke in early November.
A few week and a half after Popovich left the Frost Financial institution Middle earlier than what would show to be the final time this season, the group addressed the reported well being situation. A month later, the coach, who’s now in his twenty ninth yr as the pinnacle of the franchise, supplied an replace by means of a press launch that alluded he’d return. The workforce’s CEO, RC Buford, echoed that sentiment whereas the workforce was in Paris, France, in late January. All of it led as much as the late February announcement that Pop wouldn’t return this season.
Spurs react to Gregg Popovich’s assembly
Fox had chatted with Popovich since turning into a Spur.
“I talked to him at any time when I received traded simply on the cellphone,” the 27-year guard stated. “That was my first time seeing him since being a Spur. It was positively nice.”
On their annual “Rodeo Highway Journey” since early February, the Spurs stopped in San Antonio on the month’s second to final day in between video games in Houston and Memphis. Popovich met with the gamers on the observe facility. Barnes stated it did not take lengthy for the fiery coach to revert to type. In admitting that loads of four-letter phrases have been sprinkled into the handle, the 13-year-veteran put it merely.
“Loopy on us,” is how Barnes described Popovich’s strategy for between 30 seconds to a minute.
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“I believe it is inspirational going by means of the issues that he is going by means of, Fox stated. “Him attempting to combat again simply to be out there’s a testomony to who he’s as an individual.”
A 2023 NBA All-Star, Fox has seen loads of Pop from the opposite bench over his first seven full seasons within the NBA. He hopes to play for the legendary coach in the future, however understands it will not occur this season. In actual fact, he endorses it.
“It is about his life, this is not about basketball. It was positively nice seeing him,” Fox added. “You proceed to hope for him, you proceed to need him to get higher as a result of it is a lot larger than basketball.”
In dealing for Fox, the Spurs added a younger, clutch veteran who ought to match properly with Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs generational expertise additionally attended the gathering. Like Pop, Wemby will not return this season.
“You possibly can inform that he actually needs to get again on the market, however he says if he cannot be 100% himself then he is doing everyone a disservice,” Fox admitted of his head coach.
Whereas they spherical out this season, the Spurs hope 2025-2026 proves a showcase for what they are often at full power.