Gregg Popovich remains the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs but, this week, the legendary figure is in a different role as the head coach of Team USA during the team’s training camp in Las Vegas. That burden didn’t keep Popovich from firing off jokes on Monday, though, and he directed his (amusing) ire at newly hired assistant coach Tim Duncan.
USA Basketball coach Gregg Popovich on his new Spurs assistant: “Tim Duncan doesn’t know a lick about coaching. I don’t even know why I hired him. He’s given me a paycheck for 19 years so I was kind of obliged to pay him back.” pic.twitter.com/LuveXVynob
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 5, 2019
Obviously, Duncan is anything but a run-of-the-mill assistant coach and Popovich doubled down on an already infamous quote he delivered in the official announcement of Duncan’s hire. “It is only fitting, that after I served loyally for 19 years as Tim Duncan’s assistant, that he returns the favor,” said Popovich in July.
Not to be left out of the conversation, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr joined in the party in getting jabs in at both Popovich and Duncan.
USA Basketball assistant Steve Kerr on new Spurs assistant Tim Duncan: “He’s already told the rest of the staff that he’s the only one who’s not fireable. He’s right. Pop can’t fire Tim Duncan. He probably won’t do anything, just sit on the bench and sip tea.” pic.twitter.com/LpgPbJxvEt
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 5, 2019
Given that he played under Popovich and alongside Duncan in San Antonio, Kerr has an interesting point of reference here and he has always been one of the more amusing head coaches in the league. Clearly there is something of a loose atmosphere in Las Vegas, even with a challenging task ahead, but Duncan can’t defend himself, making it even easier to lob comedy grenades in his direction.
It will be exceptionally interesting to watch Duncan operate in his new role when training camp arrives but, until then, let the jokes fly.
