Gregg Popovich loves to give sideline reporters a hard time for in-game interviews, but he seems to take particular pleasure in hassling TNT’s Craig Sager.
Pop has been so hard on Sager in the past that there’s been a compilation video of all the times the Spurs coach messed with the reporter.
But Sager’s son, Craig Sager Jr., announced during the week that his dad is battling leukemia. So TNT had the younger Sager fill in for his dad during Game 1 of the San Antonio Spurs-Dallas Mavericks playoff series, and junior asked the coach a few questions. He got two answers, then Pop complimented him on the questions, and then Sager Jr. asked if Pop had anything he wanted to say to the elder Sager.
And, boy, did Pop come through. He delivered a really endearing message to Sager and told him how much he was missed. He even promised to be nice to him in the future!
“I promise I’ll be nice. Get back here.”
And how’s this? Pop specifically asked for Sager Jr. to interview him after the third quarter:
Pop specifically requested for Craig Sager's son to interview him after the 3rd Quarter…. That just touches your heart. #GetWellSager
— Renato Mazariegos (@RPMSports18) April 20, 2014
And if that wasn’t enough …
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
I guess it was all in love all along. Maybe Pop isn’t so bad after all.
