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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich spared no feelings when it came to his post-game press conference, letting it all out after a disappointing effort from his team in a 36-point meltdown loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Spurs starters looked out of it throughout the game, with the exception of Jonathon Simmons, who seemed extra motivated to play after garnering the start once again for the injured Kawhi Leonard.
Whether it was a shell shock or a lack of enthusiasm, belief, or confidence, San Antonio was flat from the start and it didn't get much better from there, mustering a combined 25 points from the starting unit minus Simmons, who led the way with 22 on the night.
“It looked pretty collective to me. I don't think it was one guy who didn't believe and he infected everybody else or anything like that. As a group they just let themselves down,” Popovich said post-game via ESPN. “The truth always quote-un-quote sets you free. You can't sugarcoat it or say ‘if we had just made a couple shots we'd have been right there.' That's pretty lame. So, call it like it is. We didn't come to play. We felt sorry for ourselves. We need to get slapped and come back and play Game 3 and see who we are.”
While these are strong words coming from any coach, the truth is always painful — and the Spurs were slapped with a mouthful of truth from their own head coach, hoping they awaken some fire within them upon their return to the AT&T Center this Saturday for the start of a two-game home stand.
Regardless of whether Leonard plays or not, the Spurs will need to play like their season is on the line, as they can't afford to go down 0-3 to a team with championship pedigree.
