‘I love that man’ – Shaq fights back tears as he reveals childhood Gregg Popovich gesture in emotional tribute
The Inside the NBA crew paid their respects to Gregg Popovich ahead of Friday’s broadcast between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets. It was a particularly emotional farewell for Shaquille O’Neal, who’s had a relationship with the former San Antonio Spurs head coach since his childhood. O’Neal revealed a heartfelt gesture from Popovich during a tribute@NBAonTNT Popovich suffered a stroke earlier this season and stepped down from his role on a temporary basis. Now he’s decided to permanently step aside and end his 29-year-long coaching tenure at the Spurs, but will stay in San Antonio as Team President. TNT Sports hosts Ernie Johnson, O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith took the opportunity on their first broadcast back since the news to pay their tributes to the legendary figure. “His resume is without equal,” Johnson said. “Twenty-nine seasons with the Spurs, most career wins, five championships, and three times the coach of the year, though, it could have been more than that. He was amazing.” Johnson then asked O’Neal what it’s like playing a Popovich team, and the four-time NBA champion revealed a heartfelt gesture from the NBA veteran when he was a child. “We know that we would be facing a team that was well-disciplined,” O’Neal said. “We used to call it ‘The Program.’ “I love that man for a different reason, growing up in San Antonio. Mom and dad didn’t have a lot of money for shoes, so somebody told my father that somebody on the Spurs wore size 22. “My father reached out to the Spurs, and Pop being military, dad being military, they hit it off. Pop gave us a couple pairs of shoes. He never wanted anything [in return], “I always had an admiration and respect for him. Like you said, legendary career but a better man. I’m sad we’re not going to be seeing him on the court.” Popovich and O’Neal had multiple battles in the NBAGetty Popovich, who won five NBA titles, is one of basketball’s most legendary figuresGetty Barkley then sent his farewell message, adding: “I just wanted to say thank you for your service, and thank you for everything you did for the game. “I’ve been blessed to get to know coach a little bit, not great, but thank you, because everybody in the NBA is a family.” Smith followed Barkley and claimed that Popovich was instrumental in the development of the league and hailed his impact on much of today’s coaching. “Coach Popovich is not the Spurs, he’s the NBA,” Smith said. “You look at his coaching tree, and all of guys who are around the league, it’s probably more than 16, it’s the same thing. “Everyone used to just cherry-pick off of his coaching staff, and their executive staff.” NBA's Greatest Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone 10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals When Popovich announced his decision to step away, he released his own tribute to the San Antonio Spurs. “While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” he said in a statement. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me.” The Nuggets won the win-or-go-home clash to set up a meeting with the No.1 seed Oklahoma Thunder in the next round.
The Inside the NBA crew paid their respects to Gregg Popovich ahead of Friday’s broadcast between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets.
It was a particularly emotional farewell for Shaquille O’Neal, who’s had a relationship with the former San Antonio Spurs head coach since his childhood.
Popovich suffered a stroke earlier this season and stepped down from his role on a temporary basis.
Now he’s decided to permanently step aside and end his 29-year-long coaching tenure at the Spurs, but will stay in San Antonio as Team President.
TNT Sports hosts Ernie Johnson, O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith took the opportunity on their first broadcast back since the news to pay their tributes to the legendary figure.
“His resume is without equal,” Johnson said.
“Twenty-nine seasons with the Spurs, most career wins, five championships, and three times the coach of the year, though, it could have been more than that. He was amazing.”
Johnson then asked O’Neal what it’s like playing a Popovich team, and the four-time NBA champion revealed a heartfelt gesture from the NBA veteran when he was a child.
“We know that we would be facing a team that was well-disciplined,” O’Neal said. “We used to call it ‘The Program.’
“I love that man for a different reason, growing up in San Antonio. Mom and dad didn’t have a lot of money for shoes, so somebody told my father that somebody on the Spurs wore size 22.
“My father reached out to the Spurs, and Pop being military, dad being military, they hit it off. Pop gave us a couple pairs of shoes. He never wanted anything [in return],
“I always had an admiration and respect for him. Like you said, legendary career but a better man. I’m sad we’re not going to be seeing him on the court.”
Barkley then sent his farewell message, adding: “I just wanted to say thank you for your service, and thank you for everything you did for the game.
“I’ve been blessed to get to know coach a little bit, not great, but thank you, because everybody in the NBA is a family.”
Smith followed Barkley and claimed that Popovich was instrumental in the development of the league and hailed his impact on much of today’s coaching.
“Coach Popovich is not the Spurs, he’s the NBA,” Smith said.
“You look at his coaching tree, and all of guys who are around the league, it’s probably more than 16, it’s the same thing.
“Everyone used to just cherry-pick off of his coaching staff, and their executive staff.”
NBA's Greatest
Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama
Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone
10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus
Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals
When Popovich announced his decision to step away, he released his own tribute to the San Antonio Spurs.
“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” he said in a statement.
“I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me.”
The Nuggets won the win-or-go-home clash to set up a meeting with the No.1 seed Oklahoma Thunder in the next round.
