MY ACCOUNT
Gregg Popovich did not answer a single question on his record-tying 1,335th NBA win in his post-game news conference – and Jakob Poeltl revealed there was no discussion of the achievement in the San Antonio Spurs locker room either.
Popovich, in his 26th season with the Spurs, oversaw a 117-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers to move level with Don Nelson’s all-time benchmark.
But the five-time champion and three-time Coach of the Year reserved no time for reflection on that feat in a short chat with the media.
Popovich preferred instead to discuss the Spurs’ poor free-throw shooting, their “sloppy” first half and a strong defensive showing.
And Poeltl suggested it was a similar story in private, with the center – who had 18 points – expecting the 73-year-old to remain humble when he moves past Nelson with his next win.
“You guys know Pop,” Poeltl said. “I don’t think he really cares about stuff like that.
“It didn’t even really get mentioned. I doubt it will get mentioned when we get the next win. It’s just how he is.”
It was left to Lakers coach Frank Vogel to salute his opposite number’s accomplishment then.
“[I have] incredible respect for who he is as a coach,” Vogel said. “We all, younger coaches, look up to him and admire him and respect what he’s done and what he means to our game.
“I’m certainly happy for him. I wish it wasn’t against us, but Pop’s the best.”
