Gregg Popovich is One Funny Dude

Posted by Brian Robb on Jan 6, 2011 140892 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2011%2F01%2F06%2Fgregg-popovich-is-one-funny-dude%2FGregg+Popovich+is+One+Funny+Dude2011-01-06+17%3A22%3A44Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D14089

We’re pretty lucky here in Boston as far as soundbites go from our coach. Doc Rivers is a smooth operator when it comes to the media and walks a fine line pretty well when it comes to making insightful observations and giving the press something to work with for their story….but not too much info.

Doc is also incredibly funny. He’ll generally crack two or three one-liners every press conference, mixed with some sarcastic jabs about Big Baby’s weight, injuries, you name it. All in good fun, but well orchestrated nonetheless. All things considered, I thought we had one of the funniest coaches in the league to interview. Turns out I was wrong. If last night was any indication, Spurs’ coach Gregg Popovich has to take that crown.

The 61-year-old has coached San Antonio for the last 14 years, and I knew he was renowned for being a little testy with media and usually a bit sarcastic. However, I had no idea just what kind of humor we were dealing with here. Here’s a few gems from last night that had me cracking up:

On The Tony Allen/OJ Mayo Fight & Gambling Situation and whether he allows gambling:

“We don’t allow any gambling during practice,” Pop remarked. Pressed on the matter further, he deadpanned “Games, [only] if we’re ahead by 15 or more, usually.”

Then, there was the comments on Ray Allen after the game, on his incredible 13-of-17 shooting night:

“Ray needs to work on his shooting a little bit. He only hit 13 out of 16. If it was practice and you did pin downs and you came off of that – I don’t know if anyone in the league would it 13 out of 16. He does it in a game. I think he’s pretty good.”

Count me as entertained. Then of course, there’s this gem involving Shaq on opening night a couple years back when he was with the Suns.

The jump ball sign there at the end just kills me, as he cracks up with his staff on the bench. This of course came after a playoff run the previous year, where Popovich regularly employed the Hack-A-Shaq with O’Neal calling him out for it in the media. Obviously, the guy is a tremendous coach with multiple titles over his tenure, but his sense of humor may be even more underrated than his coaching. Plus, it’s easier to laugh at stuff like this when the C’s win.