San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has a game Tuesday night in Houston, but he had something much more important to tend to Tuesday morning in Atlanta.
Popovich is still expected to be in Houston for tip-off, but he started his day in Atlanta attending the memorial service of longtime TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager, who passed away last week at 65 after a long fight with leukemia.
Cameras caught Popovich in the crowd as “Inside the NBA” host Ernie Johnson delivered a poem about Sager.
"There's no way to gauge the days we have, no way to know how long…
But know this Craig, we'll do our best to live 'em #SagerStrong." pic.twitter.com/63ktUzU1rs— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 20, 2016
Notoriously surly when it comes to the media, and especially when as it pertains to in-game interviews, Popovich admired and respected Sager’s work regardless. He offered touching and poignant thoughts about Sager last week.
Popovich also used the in-game interviews he so frequently despises to share his admiration for Sager. First, it was this interview with Craig’s son while Craig Sr. was getting treatment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_xMvztr-Wo
And then, when Sager returned to work, he and Popovich shared a special moment on the court.
The great Craig Sager interviews Greg Popovich as only he can on TNT. #ThisIsWhyWePlay https://t.co/LHIS1vqXUP
— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2015
Well done, Pop.
H/t to Uproxx
