Of all the things to take away from Gregg Popovich's 29-year tenure as the San Antonio Spurs' head coach, here's a big one: He never backed down from a fight.
Coach Pop is set to step down from his coaching duties and transition to a front office role as the team president, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Friday, marking an abrupt end to the Spurs legend's time as head coach.
In the wake of Popovich's role change in San Antonio, a funny clip of one of his on-court interactions with NBA great Shaquille O'Neal has resurfaced.
Popovich had just beaten Shaq and the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2007-08 playoffs amid controversy over the widely popularized "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy. After Shaq called Popovich a "coward" and the NBA commissioner said the league would look into the polarizing tactic, the Spurs coach didn't waste any time sending a message to his critics.
Just five seconds into the Spurs' 2008-09 season opener against the Suns, Michael Finley wrapped his arms around Shaq to stop play and draw a non-shooting foul. Shaq looked for Popovich on the sidelines, and when he saw him, Popovich gave Shaq two thumbs-up and a wide, toothy smile.
Pop's face after calling a "Hack-a-Shaq" 5 seconds into the game 😂
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) August 4, 2023
The legendary Spurs coach gets inducted into the #23HoopClass Saturday, August 12 at 8pm/et on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/2tPrO9HPg0
Such a priceless moment. That truly may have been the happiest anyone has ever seen Popovich.
May this and the rest of Coach Pop's all-time greatest highlights never be forgotten.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Old Clip of Gregg Popovich Trolling Shaq Resurfaces After Spurs HC Steps Down.
