San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is an intimidating dude. He's gruff, he doesn't suffer fools gladly and when he's focused in the heat of battle, he doesn't have a whole lot of time or patience for NBA niceties.
And over the years, that's meant more than a few terse sideline in-game interviews between Pop and longtime TNT reporter Craig Sager. Like this…or this.
But after word last week that Sager is suffering from acute leukemia and would have to sit out the 2014 NBA Playoffs, even a guy like Popovich had to pause a moment and acknowledge life beyond the court.
With son Craig Sager Jr. filling his dad's reporting shoes on the sidelines during Sunday's Spurs-Mavericks playoff broadcast, Popovich went surprisingly touchy-feely during their third quarter interview, as posted to Crave sports site NESN.
“You did a great job, but I’d rather have your dad standing here,” Popovich said. “Craig, we miss you, and you’ve been an important part to all this for a long time. We want your fanny back on the court, and I promise I’ll be nice. Get back here. Good luck.”
After the game, Sager Junior also posted this to his Twitter account.
Popovich gave me a hand written letter to give my Dad tomorrow. The whole Spurs organization is filled with class and great people. Thanks
— Craig Sager II (@CraigSagerJr) April 20, 2014
Despite his on-court demeanor, Popovich has always been a class guy and a stellar representation of the NBA's best…it's nice he got a national forum to show that off on Sunday.
