We still have a full month to go before the start of the 2015-2016 NBA season, but Gregg Popovich has decided to waste no time in getting back to tormenting basketball reporters.
On Monday, NBA TV’s Jared Greenberg was given the daunting task of having to interview Popovich. Greenberg tried to begin on a light note by acknowledging that Popovich has decided to keep his beard. The San Antonio Spurs coach was not amused.
“Obviously,” Pop said. “Are there some questions here you’re gonna ask me, or what are we gonna do? The beard … come on, let’s get to the basketball.”
But salty Pop was in no mood to talk hoops, either. He continued to troll Greenberg by acting like he had no idea what the reporter was referencing when he brought up an old interview in which Popovich spoke about losing some of the “camaraderie” on his team. Pop also stonewalled a question about what he has learned about LaMarcus Aldridge that wasn’t on the scouting report.
Fortunately for Greenberg, Popovich eventually cracked and said he was just messing around to prepare for being a jerk to reporters during the season. Greenberg looked incredibly embarrassed, and understandably so. I felt my own face turn red just watching the interview.
Anyone who has seen the way Popovich treats reporters during one-on-one interviews — you can check out great example here — should not be surprised that Greenberg fell for it. Most people would have.
Video via Deadspin
