The El Jefe line was hysterical and classic Popovich, but it was this moment that stood out to me most and got me emotional:
Pop shared that Manu and Duncan attended every one of his workout sessions at the Spurs training facility since his stroke ❤️
(h/t @spurs)
Gregg Popovich��s complete comments in his first press conference since his stroke as he passes the torch off to Mitch Johnson.
❤️ Pop forever #ElJefe 🐐
(h/t @spurs)
"It's human nature to come out with a certain sense of urgency after a loss. It probably shouldn't go that way, you should come out with the same urgency whether you win or lose. Now being down 2-0, our sense of urgency is the highest it's been."
- Stephon Castle
Victor Wembanyama is asked how he deals with the pressure of the NBA Finals:
"This is everything that I wished for, there's no reason to overthink it. This is what I'm built for."
Gregg Popovich spoke with the Spurs before they flew to New York
Stephon Castle on his message: "Let the last two games go. It happened. They were very winnable games, we felt like we gave them those games. Let them go."
"I wish the ticket prices weren't as crazy as they are. A lot of people who have been waiting for this moment for a very long time unfortunately aren't able to get into the building. $7K, $8K is ridiculous."
Josh Hart on the ticket prices for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at MSG:
"Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and to fuel us next game? Absolutely."
Victor Wembanyama talks about his emotions after the Spurs' Game 2 loss and being down 2-0 in the NBA Finals:
"I need to have more poise, more control over the game."
Victor Wembanyama was asked about the Spurs' final two possessions, his turnover and his missed jumper to end the game:
"The Spurs had a bad Brunson game and they couldn't take advantage of it. The Spurs cannot be looking at this as 'we're the better team'"
How do the Spurs respond in Game 2 to the Knicks? Ian and @JaredWeissNBA discuss on The Putback with @IanBegley
Odell Beckham Jr. is asked if he has any regrets from his first stint with the Giants:
"I never wanted to leave here, I just wanted us to have a better team. I just wanted to be great. I care about it that much...if I regret anything, it would be not winning here."
"I had at least over 27 clips of horrific defensive execution patterns by the Spurs. ... These are tweaks they can make in Game 2."
@realJayWilliams breaks down the Spurs' defense in Game 1 🏀
I was surprised that the Spurs didn't go more to this high horns alignment in Game 1. They got great looks when they tried it. Potential Game 2 adjustment.
NBA Finals Game 1 Recap!
On The Putback with @IanBegley, @VinceGoodwill & @JaredWeissNBA join Ian to break down all things Knicks-Spurs from last night's action https://t.co/2gHhS1fpmF
"Whatever was said struck a nerve"
On The Putback with @IanBegley, Ian discusses the NBA investigation into the fan interaction with Jalen Brunson during Game 1
Stephon Castle on the biggest difference between defending Jalen Brunson vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
"Jalen likes to use angles a lot more, pump fakes. Get to his spots. Not really trying to draw fouls as much, trying to get to his midrange and spots where he likes."
A big key to the Spurs losing Game 1 last night was missing TWENTY open 3 point shots. If the shooter has a few feet of space and no visual impairment of the rim as they begin the arm swing up, that's an open shot in my book. In the playoffs, they're shooting 30% on open 3s.
KAT:
"I just felt a calm and a peace that had to be come from the woman above (his mom). I felt like a kid. It was just fun out here. It felt like I was a kid getting ready to go play my Saturday AAU games and Sunday AAU games. In a way I felt like I was seeing her in the stands"
"They come ready to play more than any other team that we've faced. We have the utmost respect for them. We know that we've got to be ready for Game 2."
Jalen Brunson talks about the Knicks' respect for the Spurs and how New York was able to win tonight:
@FitzGSN_ Main adjustment I want to see is fully embrace small ball, particularly in crunch time
Fox
Harper
Castle
Vassell / Champaigne (if he’s hot)
Wemby
Besides Fox, all those guys are scrappy rebounders. Mitch has opted for extra shooter all year over 3 guards at once, but it’s time
@FitzGSN_ Main adjustment I want to see is fully embrace small ball, particularly in crunch time
Fox
Harper
Castle
Vassell / Champaigne (if he’s hot)
Wemby
Besides Fox, all those guys are scrappy rebounders. Mitch has opted for extra shooter all year over 3 guards at once, but it’s time
Unsurprisingly seeing a LOT of overreaction on here tonight. Game 1 loss to the Wolves all over again.
I’m not “terrified” of losing a game we somehow led 95-94 with 2 mins to play despite Wemby, Fox and Vassell all playing like shit and shooting 2/19 from three in the 2nd half