LONGTIME NBA head coach Gregg Popovich has left viewers in shock after he called out San Antonio Spurs fans for booing mid-game.
The 74-year-old was quick to intervene when Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard was heckled by Spurs supporters as the teams went head to head on Wednesday night.
Kawhi Leonard, played seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, was heckled by the crowd during the gameCredit: Getty
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich raised his arms to try and quieten the crowdCredit: Getty
The bizarre moment went down late in the second as the Spurs trailed 48-39 with the Clippers, Leonard, on the line shooting free throws.
Popovich stormed over to the microphone at the Frost Bank Center in Texas and blasted fans for their treatment of Leonard, who played for the franchise and helped win them a title in 2014.
“Excuse me for a second. Can we stop all the booing and let these guys play?
“It’s got no class. It’s not who we are. Knock off the booing,” Popovich told fans while Leonard was between free throws.
He then walked away and attempted to fire the crowd up with a gesture with his arms, prompting some fans to clap briefly.
However, the boos then quickly returned and were even louder.
NBA fans were stunned by the response from the Spurs coach and took to social media to share their reactions.
This fan expressed: “Only a legend like him could pull off such amazing moves! Who dares to even try?”
Another said: “It might be time for Pop to retire.”
A third was shocked: “I can see where he’s coming from because Kawhi was a big reason why Pop got his 5th ring. Spurs fans still mad about a trade request from 6 years ago is crazy.”
And a fourth condemned the act: “Soft league…you cant even boo the opposing player…what a time to be alive.”
Leonard played his first NBA game in a Spurs jersey after the organization traded for him in the 2011 draft.
He would go on to spend seven seasons in San Antonio and help the franchise win an NBA title in 2014.
But his departure from the team in 2018 was brutal, and Spurs fans seem not to have forgotten.
Leonard played in less than ten games during the 2017-18 season because of a lingering quad injury, despite the franchise allegedly disagreeing on the injury.
That saga led to the Spurs trading Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, where he won a championship before moving on to play for the Clippers for the past four seasons.
Kawhi Leonard and Gregg Popovich spoke together after the heated gameCredit: Getty
The top coach made his way back to the bench after calling out fansCredit: AP
News
Angel Reese Is ‘Super Excited’ for Her WNBA Debut and the ‘Impact’ of Her Star-Studded Draft Class
As Angel Reese moves to Chicago and starts practicing for her new team — the Sky — she’s getting excited for her rookie year and what her…
Reese, Cardoso seen as ‘luminaries’ for Sky’s long-term future
Chicago Sky F Angel Reese and C Kamilla Cardoso are the “future of the organization” and they are “already proving that they have the necessary star power…
Angel Reese is excited that three Tigers were selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Who are they?
Expressed her joy on social media Louisiana State University (LSU) alumna Angel Reese took to X to express her joy as three Tigers were selected in the first round…
Why Does Angel Reese Wear One-Legged Tights During Games? There’s A Surprising Reason
Why Does Angel Reese Wear One-Legged Tights During Games? There’s A Surprising Reason She even matches them with her team colors. 😍 Angel Reese fans, listen up! The…
How Angel Reese became a millionaire by buying a luxury white Mercedes worth twice her first year’s salary
The 21-year-old celebrated the next step in her career with a brand new luxury car Angel ReeseInstagram / IG @angelreese10 Angel Reese is no stranger to the high…
Angel Reese shared: When I was a child, I always admired many good players in the WNBA. Now, being able to see my name on the back of the jersey is awesome. She caused ticket and jersey sales to skyrocket
The Angel Reese effect is already being felt in Chicago. Just days after the Sky selected the LSU star with the seventh pick in the draft, her…
End of content
No more pages to load