This might be the most Gregg Popovich thing ever.
As they have done since he forced his way out of San Antonio, Spurs fans booed Kawhi Leonard every time he touched the ball on Wednesday night. Late in the second quarter against the Clippers, with Leonard at the free throw line and some Spurs fans letting him hear it, Popovich walked over, grabbed the arena PA mic, and told them to shut it.
“That’s not who we are. Knock off the booing.”
According to reports in the arena, this did not work, the boos were louder for the second free throw.
However, those same reports say fans were far more engaged after Pop took the mic. More importantly, the San Antonio players have stayed more engaged and kept it close with Los Angeles into the second half of the game.
This didn’t feel like a strategic play by Popovich, it was more that he still cares about Leonard and has moved on from what happened years ago. Popovich is focused on Wembanyama and the future and wants the fans to join him.
