The San Antonio Spurs made headlines earlier this yr by setting a brand new report for attendance in an everyday season NBA recreation. Additionally they set a brand new Franchise report Wednesday evening, though it’s one the Spurs group will wish to overlook. The 120-110 loss towards the Charlotte Hornets marked 14 consecutive losses for the Silver and Black this season. An unfamiliar feeling for coach Gregg Popovich.
After their abysmal defensive efficiency, Popovich had some harsh phrases for his staff in his post-game interview. After seeing post-game interviews speaking about silver linings, private enhancements, and we’re a younger staff feedback it was refreshing to see classic Popovich in motion.
He blamed himself, but in addition made it clear that he was going to carry his gamers accountable. Let’s take a look at what he needed to say.
How Unhealthy Was The Sport? …Very
As arduous as the sport was to observe at instances it wasn’t all unhealthy. Malaki Branham continues to enhance nightly. As a vibrant spot in a horrible recreation, Branham recorded 23 factors, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Zach Collins recorded his sixth profession double-double with 14 factors and 12 rebounds.
If we needed to discover one other optimistic concerning the recreation, the loss gave the Spurs the 2nd worst report within the NBA. Assuming they maintain on to that place in standings it’ll assure them the sixth choose or higher within the 2023 NBA Draft. Apart from that it was sloppy basketball. Other than a small handful of performs within the first half the defensive strain was nonexistent for the Spurs.
There was a possession the place the Spurs obtained 5 offensive rebounds and nil factors. Even after 13 straight losses, Spurs followers may level to non-public performances or accidents to miss the destructive outcomes of the video games. Nevertheless, this recreation appeared like a transparent regression in effort and talent. The silver and black gave up 18-second-chance factors and 20 factors off turnovers. Giving your opponent 38 factors because of errors or lack of effort is unacceptable for any staff on the NBA degree.
Gregg Popovich Didn’t Maintain Again After The Sport
In his post-game interview, Popovich didn’t spare any phrases for his staff, his first remark was, “You’re appropriate, guys difficult 7 footers doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me” Popovich made it clear that being a younger squad will not be an excuse for Wednesday nights efficiency saying,
“Yeah, they’re younger however that younger factor is getting previous. It’s the identical errors … Not blocking out. Not getting again in transition. Calling a fast timeout to begin the third quarter. It’s simply inexcusable.” Popovich added, taking the blame for the staff, “Youth’s obtained nothing to do with it. Sooner or later, you must take satisfaction in what you might be doing execution-wise and competitively and that begins with protection and we actually suck. That’s on me.”
If that wasn’t harsh sufficient he ended the interview by saying this about his staff, “You don’t wish to lose, begin enjoying protection, that’s the deal.” Watch the video beneath for the complete interview.
“Sooner or later you must take satisfaction in what you might be doing execution sensible…and that begins with protection.”
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich shares his ideas after the loss to the Hornets.@spurs | #PorVida pic.twitter.com/cv5YVCMB5y
— Bally Sports activities San Antonio (@BallySportsSA) February 16, 2023
Is Offended Popovich Again For Good?
Generally, long-time Spurs followers and NBA followers know Popovich as a no-nonsense fashion coach. There was even a time when commentators attributed the Spurs’ incapability to draw a serious free agent to Popovich’s fashion of teaching.
We’ve seen him typically important of his gamers no matter their talent degree. He’s typically been blunt with the press. This season, nevertheless, we’ve seen a nicer aspect of the five-time NBA Champion coach. It is sensible in a whole lot of methods, there’s no strain to carry out this season.
Half of the staff’s core gamers are 19-year-old rookies. But it surely was nice to see the classic Popovich present up after such a horrible recreation. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if Popovich’s perspective is totally different after the all-star break and the way it impacts the staff’s efficiency.
