Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs fell to the L.A. Clippers on Thursday night, 103-97. Their former superstar and 2014 NBA Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard, torched them for 38 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals in 34 minutes of action.
Popovich was undoubtedly unhappy with his team's uncharacteristic, season-high 28 fouls that led to 27 Clippers' free throws. He was also ticked off by some of the questions he received postgame regarding Leonard. Before the game, and for the first time since he joined the Clippers, Popovich spoke openly in addressing Leonard as well as his development in his seven years with San Antonio.
Popovich actually spoke an length in that interview, and didn't want to get into it again postgame. When asked about Leonard initially, Pop kept it short.
“I thought he was great.”
When pressed on Kawhi again and whether it was the performance he expected, Popovich wasn't having it.
“Doc's coaching him, I'm not. I just said he had a great game, there's nothing else to say.”
Reporter 1 – "Thoughts on Kawhi Leonard and the night that he had?"
Gregg Popovich – "I thought he was great."
Reporter 2 – "All that you expected from him?"
Pop – "Doc's coaching him, I'm not. I just said he had a great game, there's nothing else to say."#Clippers #Spurs
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 1, 2019
No one can blame Pop for wanting to address his own team before anything else, especially when he already spoke in detail about Leonard before the game. Reporters, however, still try to test Pop.
The Spurs will now head to San Francisco to take on the extremely shorthanded Golden State Warriors on the second night of a back-to-back. The Clippers, on the other hand, will have Friday and Saturday off before taking on the Utah Jazz on Sunday night.
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