Greg Popovich Speaks About The Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs have been hot lately! They just beat the Clippers, again, coming out strong after halftime. They’re up to a season high 33 assists, and they’re dominating opponents in the third quarter. The Spurs are showing themselves to be the team to beat this year.

Popovich Says

Coach Gregg Popovich applauds his team’s ball movement. He notes they are really getting more guys involved this year, showing a balance in the box score.

Pop says the offense is making the right reads, from cutters to skip passes, finding the faults in their opponents’ rotations.

He notes the team is also making a lot of their shots, which helps.  He says, “Making shots does make things simpler.” He notes that’s been a problem in the past.

Pop isn’t all complimentary, though. He notes the defense still needs some work. “Our defense still has to get better — and it’ll take some time with the new guys, and the combinations that are out there right now.”
If the defense does put in the time, and the team gets healthy, there’s no reason to think this team won’t go all the way.

Make sure you’re there to watch, grab your San Antonio Spurs tickets online now!

Kawhi’s Recovery is Slower than Expected

Coach Popovich provided an update on Kawhi Leonard this week. He says Kawhi’s situation is a bit difficult to read right now. Kawhi is having trouble getting through his rehab routines, so his body is just not where it needs to be yet. However, Coach Pop is confident things are heading in the right direction.

So far, Leonard has missed more than 10 games due to right quadriceps tendinopathy. Pop says he’s just “coming along more slowly" than expected. He says it’s been difficult, but they aren’t counting Kawhi out.
Leonard las played for the Spurs since the Western Conference Finals, which he missed because of an ankle injury. He was on the injured list during training camp and hasn’t yet practiced with the team.

He underwent surgery this offseason to repair that ruptured quadriceps tendon. Kawhi will have to make it through the entire rehab process before he’ll be allowed to return to practice. Pop says he wouldn’t feel comfortable having him jump right from rehab to the court.

He says he wants to make sure Kawhi has his confidence back, too. "I wouldn't want him to go right from rehab to jumping on the court….(I want him to) feel comfortable because, in the end, that confidence is what's going to ... anybody who's been out for any length of time has to get that back. Even if the doctors say, 'Yep, you're ready to go.' You're really not until you're mentally ready to go."

Grab your San Antonio Spurs tickets now.

Stepping Up

But, it’s not all bad news, obviously, since the Spurs are heating up the court. They’ve seen some positive things come from their other players, as everyone is required to step up in the absence of their best player, Leonard.

Kyle Anderson now has Leonard’s spot, and Bryn Forbes is getting more playing time, as is rookie Brandon Paul. We’re seeing great things from them.

As veteran Manu Ginobli says, any time a team has to adjust and make due without their main player, everyone has to step up their games and find their confidence. Which is exactly what the Spurs have done so far this season.

And Patty Mills, the Spurs’ veteran point guard, says that while they definitely miss Leonard, having to go without him is giving other players a real opportunity to show their stuff.

"It's giving other people an opportunity to play,” he says. “Kyle (Anderson) has come in and been able to find a rhythm and a sense of confidence in himself to be able to contribute. So in that sense, it's good," Mills said. "We never want to be without players. But it's also giving other guys a sense of responsibility to be able to fulfill their roles and not just guys at Kawhi's position, but everyone around them as well.”

Mills admits there are just times when Kawhi seems to make magic on the court, but since they don’t have him right now, they are making sure the rest of the squad makes things happen. They’re all adding a little extra effort, trying to make a bit of magic on their own.

Buy San Antonio Spurs tickets now, and become a part of it!

In Other News

So far this season, Rudy Gay has three 20-point games. He’s looking great as of late, and the lineup just looks great when he’s in it.

As for Derrick White, the fracture he suffered in his wrist won’t need surgery, so there’s one less player to worry about. He will, however, be sporting a cast for a month or so.

See the Spurs Live


Ready to buy Spurs tickets online? Catch a game this week! Buy Spurs tickets now! We have the best seats, at the best prices. Get your Spurs tickets today.

Gregg Popovich's 4 Most "Winning" Qualities

The San Antonio Spurs have set an amazing record of games won—in fact, they presently hold the title on such.  It’s hard to say, though, that the reason behind their success has been because they have had the most talented players in the NBA.  They haven’t. 

What, then, is the main reason for such a high number of wins?  Maybe the answer will “Pop” into your head as you read this article . . .

Outspokenness as a Sign of Hardcore Sincerity

Popovich has proven time and time again that he’s not afraid to speak out even about topics that have traditionally been taboo for people in the entertainment industry.  He’s been known, for example to elaborate freely on his views regarding things like white privilege, systemic racism and income inequality.  Then again, he doesn’t just rant and rave incoherently—in fact, his comments seem to have been well-coordinated, well-reasoned and, in most cases, even cogent.

Some other people in high places also speak out but it soon becomes clear that they are only garnering public attention and putting on a show.  With Popovich, however, it all seems to be coming from the heart, as if he really believes what he’s saying and is ready to stand behind it no matter what the consequences.  In other words, he has something that is rare these days: SPINE.

Of course, if you do this too often, at the wrong time or for superficial reasons, being outspoken can backfire.  Outspokenness works for Popovich, though, because he chooses his moments very carefully, usually doesn't go overboard, and people can see that he's not just being superficial and petty.

How many public figures, for example, have the gumption to call the President of the United States a “soul-less coward?”  Popovich, a former Air Force veteran, though, has done just that.  In fact, he has questioned President Donald Trump’s integrity and honesty several times. 

Fortunately, this outspokenness on the part of Popovich hasn't been, for the most part, detrimental to his career or to the team he manages.   Even people that may not agree with his politics respect his right to express his opinions--more importantly, they respect his sincerity and his superlative coaching skills.


HE’S WILLING TO HOLD OTHERS “ACCOUNTABLE”

Some of us would say that much of what’s wrong today in society is the fact that there isn’t enough accountability for much of what goes on all around us.  Holding people accountable for their actions should be standard practice but, let’s face it, this can be a risky policy or expectation.  Some people don’t want to be held accountable; they just want to be left alone—so what if they put in only minimum effort into everything they do? 

Letting politicians and people in charge of big companies get away with that twisted philosophy may be okay (or at least something that most people can’t do anything about) but, when you manage a professional basketball team, you have to impose higher standards and, apparently, Popovich does.                                                                                      

“TREAT EVERYONE EQUALLY” ISN’T JUST A SLOGAN

When asked about how he deals with the big heads and inflated egos of his top players, Popovich admitted that he respectfully and soothingly communicates with (rather than talking down to) them.  Then again, he added that the way he talks to Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker is the same way he talks to the other players.  He’s willing to accommodate the different personalities, treating each as if he’s the best player on the team—or the worst player, as the case may be.

When it comes to expectations on the court, though, there is no difference.  Everyone is expected to pull his weight equally and to live up to the same high standards.  This may sound like the diplomatic thing to say but, when it comes to the players, you can’t fake this kind of thing.  They know when they’re being treated fairly, and this can greatly affect the very complicated relationship between players and coaches. 

It’s clear that in this department, Popovich gets high marks.

SCORING WELL WITH THE LITTLE PEOPLE

All coaches have to get along well with other coaches, the owners, the players, etc.  That’s a given.  But what some people underestimate is how important it is for coaches to get along well with the public in general and, more importantly, the press.  Confrontational relationships between the media and some coaches is almost always bad news for teams. 


After all, journalists can greatly help professional teams out—if by no other way than by giving them free advertising and exposure.  There is also a question of image.  How people view players and teams in general can change like the weather—that’s true—but it’s not as if players and teams don’t have some control over things. 


If all the media reports are scandals and instances of bickering and in-fighting behind the scenes, why shouldn’t the public form negative opinions?  On the other hand, a well-run media smoothing-out campaign can do much to repair bad relations.  Having the right type of charismatic, well-spoken, articulate and knowledgeable coach is another way teams can score big with the media.  Gregg Popovich easily falls under those categories. 


He has an imposing presence, is a good communicator and seems to know the importance of having good rapport with the press. His entertaining interchanges with Craig Sager (before he passed away) remain an excellent example of how coaches can use the media for the continued, valuable benefit of the team.  It’s been reported that Popovich hated those after-game, inane-questions interchanges but he did them anyway, and not just to help his friend Sager out.  

CONCLUSION 


Gregg Popovich may not be the most flamboyant, most-liked or most interesting coach that the NBA has seen fit to hire, but he definitely has many qualities which not only have enhanced his career but have also helped his team and the NBA.  At any rate, his stats are some of the best of any coach we can mention.  

Under his tutelage, the Spurs won 5 championships, accumulated the best “games won over-all percentage” (62.1) and been in contention for the championship repeatedly.  In every sense of the word, this man has a green thumb for winning.     

One can make the argument, though, that the Spurs haven’t had the most talented players in the league.  In fact, other teams that have performed more poorly had better talent on their rosters.  How then can we explain all those wins?  The most obvious variable is, of course, good coaching.  

Can the spurs win that sixth NBA championship for the 2017-2018 season?  That remains to be seen but, one thing is certain, you need someone at the helm that has the “winning” qualities that can help even moderately-talented teams out-perform other teams with more talented players.  


In the end, you see, it’s not always the highest quantity of skills and talent that prevails but, rather, the highest quality of coaching.  If nothing else, Gregg Popovich has proven that convincingly.  

San Antonio Spurs: 2017-18 Season Opener Recap

The San Antonio Spurs opened up the 2017-18 season against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Spurs had a rocky preseason, but they brought in the regular season strong. The night ended with a 107-99 victory for the Spurs at home.

While Spurs fans everywhere have been awaiting this big day, the Spurs were more than ready to tip-off the evening. Spurs guard Danny Green was ready for a fresh start to the season, saying it’s “a new year for us to make something happen." Spurs center Pau Gasol said the team couldn’t wait to play the real games. "We are excited to kick it off tonight."

San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Game Recap

While fans were more than ready for the season, they may have been a little disappointed to learn that Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard would be out for the game. For the past couple of years, the Spurs have relied heavily on the Kawhi. This is the time to prove just how good the team is, without their star player.

With Tony Parker gone, Dejounte Murray got the opportunity to take his place as starting point guard. Let’s not forget this is only Murray’s second year. Last year, he was able to fill Parker’s spot when he went down with an injury. Danny Green said the team has some pretty high expectations for Murray’s return.

Thankfully, the Spurs signed LaMarcus Aldridge to a contract extension because he was on fire! Aldridge led the team with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. The rest of the team looked pretty sharp, too. Danny Green finished with 17 points, Dejounte Murray totaled 16 points, and Rudy Gay came off the bench with 14. Many people were worried about Gay because he was recovering from an injury, but he returned to the court ready to fight. The best news of all, though, is that the Spurs are still some of the greatest, without Kawhi on the court.

United After the Anthem

Following the National Anthem, the San Antonio Spurs stood together and linked arms. Even retired Spurs players, Tim Duncan and DavidRobinson, were in attendance and stood together with the team.

During this time, the AT&T Center scoreboard read, "There are things happening in our communities that need our attention. We understand your desire to attend our games as an escape and chosen form of entertainment. In that, we feel there is a significant commonality in all of us that allows our community to be so special. That commonality should include aspirations for social justice, freedom of speech in its many forms, and equal opportunity for education, and economic advancement regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or religion. It is our hope that we can, as a community, inspire and evoke real change. We ask that you join with us in your daily lives in the pursuit of equality."

Gregg Popovich has been known to make political remarks against President Donald Trump. This act follows his controversial remark, calling President Trump a "soulless coward." Many people were wondering if the team would kneel, as the NFL teams have been doing.

Spurs rookie Rudy Gay was proud to stand with the Spurs at that moment. "It was good, that's the meaning of it, unity. Being united, being one. We've been divided for a long time, and it was all shapes, colors, sizes in that arena tonight, and for everybody to be on the same page meant a lot."

Tim Duncan’s Daughter

Tim Duncan’s daughter, Quill, was trending on social media the night of the season opener. The last time she took the Spurs court was when she was in her mommy’s belly, Vanessa Macias. This time, she made her official Spurs debut.

Why were fans making such a big deal about Quill? When Quill was seated in Vanessa’s lap, she was leaning over and chewing on her dad’s shirt – while his attention was fully devoted to the action on the court. Of course, the moment was caught on the big screen, and the arena went wild. It didn’t stop there, though. Fans took to Twitter to share the adorable moment, and it spread like wildfire.

Buy San Antonio Spurs Tickets with Zero Nose Bleeds

Now that the Spurs have proven they’re coming back strong, you have no excuse to miss a game this season! We already know this may be Manu’s last season, so why miss it? Plus, Parker and Leonard are expected to make a speedy recovery, so they will be back out on the court in no time. If you are ready to purchase Spurs tickets, visit Zero Nose Bleeds – where your ticket is always 100% guaranteed. Buy tickets now! 

San Antonio Spurs Events - November

The SanAntonio Spurs have been a staple of consistency in the NBA throughout the franchise’s 40-year history as part of the league. Just how consistent has the team been? Since 1976, the Spurs have captured five NBA titles, six conference titles, 22 division titles and have made the playoffs in 20 straight seasons. In fact, since the NBA-ABA merger made the Spurs a part of the NBA back in 1976, the team has only missed the playoffs a total of four times. That's unheard of, not just in basketball, but in any professional sport. When you piece the franchise’s history and its promising young team together, any reason to buy San Antonio Spurs tickets this November is a good one. And with a promising slate of home games this month, Spurs tickets aren't likely to last long — which is even more of an incentive to scoop yours up before the AT&T Center is sold out. 

Top Spurs Games in November

San Antonio hosts 10 home games in November, so buy Spurs tickets today to make sure you don’t miss out on the action. Here’s a look at some games to circle on your calendar:

• November 2 vs. the Golden State Warriors: It's certainly worth it to buy Spurs tickets online for any San Antonio home game, but there are some games that get fans fired up more than others. For Spurs fans, the best of these games serve as the start of a six-game home stand beginning on November 2 when San Antonio hosts the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors. The Spurs have been on the losing end to the Warriors lately — including a four-game sweep to them in last year’s conference finals — so it’ll be interesting to see how Kawhi Leonard and company stack up against Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and the rest of the defending champions. Get your tickets to this one today as it's sure to be the most sought-after home game in November.

• Six-game home stand in early November: From November 2 through November 11, the Spurs will play six times at home, beginning the home stand with the aforementioned tilt against Golden State and concluding it with a Saturday night showdown against Chicago. This stint is one of two six-game home stands for San Antonio this season, making it a great time to get to the AT&T Center to take in a game.

• November 17 vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder: Aside from Golden State, one of the other perennial Western Conference powers is seemingly always Oklahoma City, a team the Spurs will welcome to town on November 17. Though the Thunder have taken a step back since Kevin Durant spurned them and headed west to Golden State, the likes of Russell Westbrook and new additions Paul George and Carmelo Anthony have made the Thunder a serious threat once again in the conference. It’ll certainly be a matchup worth the price of admission when you buy a Spurs ticket.

• Intrastate Matchup vs. Dallas: On November 27, the Spurs welcome the in-state Dallas Mavericks to town. Similar to the Spurs, the Mavericks are in the midst of a new era of basketball. And while the Spurs have lost the likes of franchise poster boy Tim Duncan to make way for the Kawhi Leonard era, the Mavericks are in the waning years of Dirk Nowitzki’s career and are looking for someone to step up and take the franchise reigns. Regardless of the circumstances, it’s always fun when these two Texas teams get together. What’s more is this tilt comes less than two weeks following a matchup in Dallas, so what transpires in that first contest is sure to still be fresh in the minds of the players and coaching staffs.

Aside from the games we’ve highlighted here, the Spurs also play Charlotte on Friday, November 3, Phoenix on Sunday, November 6, the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, November 7 and Milwaukee on Friday, November 10 this month. They’ll take on Atlanta on Monday, November 20 and close out the month’s slate of home games against Memphis on Wednesday, November 29. The Spurs only play four road games in the month of November, making now a great time to buy your San Antonio Spurs tickets online as the team looks to start the season strong and set the tone for another deep run in the playoffs come spring.

For tickets to all Spurs home games, whether they’re in the month of November or at any other time throughout the season, consider Zero Nose Bleeds your one-stop source. At Zero Nose Bleeds, your ticket is always 100 percent guaranteed, so you can spend less time worrying about your admission to the event and more time getting excited to see the likes of Manu Ginobili, Pau Gasol and Kawhi Leonard take on the NBA’s best on the hardwood.

The Spurs Hall of Famers

The San Antonio Spurs have been one of the NBA's most steady establishments from the time they joined the NBA in 1976. One reason for their accomplishment has been their capacity and competency to get the right players at the opportune time and furthermore get rid of players at the right time.

Here are the San Antonio Spurs, hall of fame of all-time.

1. David Robinson

Before enrolling David Robinson number one, on the whole in 1987, the Spurs were an average establishment who might make the game playoff once in a while. Robinson changed all that, he leads the group to make a portion of the best records in the West twice and to the 1994 Western Conference Finals. David Robinson was the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 1995 and Defensive player of the year in 1992. He scored a profession and establishment high 71 pts against the Clippers in 1994 to catch the NBA's scoring fame as well. Robinson retired in 2003 after winning his second NBA title and having played every time of his career with the Spurs.

2. George Gervin

George Gervin, the “Ice Man,” was the team’s first ever star player; he was acquired while the team was still in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from Virginia. Gervin would play 11 seasons with the Spurs, nine after they joined the NBA, and would turn into the team’s driving scorer. He was an 11 time elite player with the Spurs and caught the 1980 All-star MVP honor. Gervin was chosen to the NBA's Hall-of-Fame in 1996.

3. Artis Gilmore

Gilmore said his final goodbye to basketball with the Spurs, he gave them five prosperous years, and in those five years, he created some amazing records such as 5th all time in blocks and 6th in rebounds for the Spurs.

4. Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman would be higher had he played longer; Rodman just played two, short, seasons for the Spurs before getting exchanged to Chicago for Will Purdue. However, in his inhabitance with the Spurs, he did cart-away to coordinate the NBA in rebounding both years with around 17 games both years.

5. Tim Duncan

The Big Fundamental was to make the first choice for the top player in franchise history. Tim Duncan is a two-time MVP and has been the driving force for the team players for all the four NBA championships titles. Moreover, Tim Duncan is undoubtedly the finest power forward to ever play the game. He is active on both sides of the ball and keeping in mind that he is not a flashy player he completes things.

Top 5 matches of the Spurs

1.    Spurs vs. Heat Game 1 2013 Finals

The San Antonio Spurs playing in their first Finals game in six years stole home court from the Miami Heat in a stunning way. Thanks to a big run to the end of the match, that was punctuated by a game-sealing shot from Tony Parker. Superb performance from Tony Parker, the San Antonio Spurs came into Miami and surprised the Heat, 92-88, in Game 1 of the 2013 NBA Finals.

2.    Spurs vs. Heat Game 1 of 2014 Finals

The San Antonio Spurs crushed the Miami Heat 110-95 in a great ole Texas tussle through Game 1 of the 2014 NBA Finals. With the match in the balance late in the fourth quarter and the air condition on the fritz within the AT &T Center in San Antonio, two things happened. Lebron James got a severe case of the cramps, and Danny Green pulled out the opportunity to get hot. Green aced a massive 3 pointers late to help out the Spurs capture Game 1 of the Finals for the second straight year in a row.

3.    Spurs vs. Sonics Game 6 of 2005 Playoffs:

In spite of suffering a noticeable ankle injury with just over 8-minutes to play, Tim Duncan scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and hit the go-ahead basketball shot with less than a second, leading the Spurs to a dramatic 98-96 win over the Seattle Supersonics, clinching their Western Conference semifinals, 4-2. With the game tied late and only seconds left, Gregg Popovich placed the ball in the hands of Manu Ginobili, who took away a laser outdo to Tim Duncan, and Duncan put in the game winner and series clincher with 0.5 seconds left to play.

4.    Spurs vs. Suns Game 5 of 2007 playoffs

Spurs simply beat the Jazz in 5 games in the Western Conference Finals, and thus the Cavaliers in a Finals sweep. The Spurs returned from a two digit shortage in the match to beat the Suns in an exceedingly classic game and dramatic series. Parker entered and found Bowen who then hit the go-ahead 3 pointers with 30 seconds left to play. This shot helped drive the Spurs to a critical Game 5 win on the road, which leads to a chain clinching win back in San Antonio for Game 6.

The Phoenix Suns were certainly the league's most exciting team; however, after two MVPs for Steve Nash and a pair of moderate exits, the stress to win was at an all time high. The San Antonio Spurs was sure to get feistier after Steve Nash took a shot to the eye in Game 1. However, that was just a preview.

In the latter stages of a critical Game 5, Robert Horry leveled Nash into the scorer's table, prompting his teammates (Amare Stoudemire & Boris Diaw) to run to his aid. The Suns lost the next game and haven't been constant since.

5.    Spurs vs. Mavericks Game 6 of 2003 Conference Finals

With the Spurs trailing by double digits in the 4th quarter, Gregg Popovich determined to provide Steve Kerr a shot. Kerr who had not been a part of the final tournament rotation answered the call. Steve Kerr connected on all 4 of his 3 point attempts to help the Spurs go forward to the Finals. Tim Duncan's triple-double helped the Spurs end the Suns' season with a Game 6 victory.

Where can you buy tickets for spurs?

The San Antonio Spurs, formerly known as the Dallas Chaparrals which was a charter member of the American Basketball Association, will be playing in the coming up matches and the tickets can be found at the websites given below.

●     https://zeronosebleeds.com/performer/San-Antonio-Spurs

All tickets on this website are sold by professional brokers. Zero Nose Bleeds has been selling tickets to the fans since 1995. There is also a 10% discount on your 1st purchase from the site.

●     http://www.nba.com/spurs/tickets/

The official website for the National Basketball Association, the fourth largest professional sports league in the United States and Canada combined. It sells tickets for all the matches that the association holds.

●        http://www.ticketmaster.com/San-Antonio-Spurs-tickets/artist/806012

Ticketmaster doesn’t need any introduction. With 3 day return policy, exchanges and Ticketmaster fan guarantee you can’t go wrong with this one.

●        https://www.stubhub.com/san-antonio-spurs-tickets/performer/3042/

As one of the leading ticketing marketplaces, Stubhub gives fans a number of reasons to book tickets with them. With Stubhub you can buy and sell tickets anytime and from anywhere you want.