Gregg Popovich often looks like he would rather undergo multiple root canals in one day than speak with the media during and after games, which leads some to believe that he may be growing tired of his job. Not so, says the five-time NBA champion.
Following Saturday’s 113-92 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the opening round of the playoffs, Popovich gave a press conference that was salty even by his standards. He began by asking reporters “what do you want?” and emphatically stated he is “so tired of this.”
Classic post-game Pop interview
(via @NBCSWarriors)pic.twitter.com/R99LVHBMWH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 14, 2018
If Pop thinks answering a few questions about a bad game is that tough, it’s fair to wonder if the responsibilities that go along with being an NBA head coach are weighing on him. After all, he is closing in on his 70th birthday. But on Sunday, a reporter asked Popovich if he is still getting enjoyment out of coaching — even when the team loses. The future Hall of Famer then began listing all the different ways he is pampered, and he seemed quite serious.
Yesterday Pop walked into his press conference and said "I'm tired of this."
Today @mikefinger asked Pop: "are you still finding some sense of enjoyment out of this even when you lose even when things aren't going great?"
His response: pic.twitter.com/11lwrmdZBk
— Sports Night (@Sports_NightTX) April 15, 2018
“Of course, are you serious?” Pop asked. “I get to work with these young guys. I get to watch people develop and grow. They have babies … well, their wives do. They grow as people. I make more friends for life. It’s pretty cool.”
Popovich has treated us to some of the most tense coach-reporter exchanges in sports over the past few years, but he obviously still has a passion for basketball.
