Spurs, Popovich keep on winning ‘old school’
Gregg Popovich is in a great mood, seeming to enjoy every aspect of the conversation. There was talk about wine, his favorite beverage and probably his favorite topic.
There was talk about players who came through the San Antonio system. There was talk about past NBA Finals matchups and some coaches he admires. Then the chat turned to the Spurs. And the effusive answers from the venerable San Antonio coach were no more.
“We’re doing what we’ve always done, I guess,” Popovich shrugged.
True, but that’s what makes the Spurs worth talking about. Off to the NBA’s best start at 4-0 — and matching the best start in franchise history, one they could top Friday night at Orlando, Fla. — the Spurs generally are ignoring this era’s preferred method of go-go-go, pace-and-space, shoot-the-3 basketball and relying instead on post-ups and defense.
It’s working, even as the Spurs wait for Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker — their best player and their point guard — to make their season debuts.
“It’s remarkable what they do and how they reinvent themselves every year,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said.
“The faces change, but their standards and excellence remain the same. So now they’re doing it retro, doing it totally old-school, the way everybody said you can’t do it.
“They’re doing it by building a top-caliber defense, not playing with incredible pace, not playing with the 3point line right now ... and they’re still beating everybody.”
Hawks
Atlanta is retiring a ceremonial jersey to honor Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed. The ceremonial jersey will be retired Nov. 3, when the Hawks play the Houston Rockets. Reed will be honored for his support of the Hawks, including his role in keeping the team in its Philips Arena downtown location. The city is providing $142.5 million of the $192.5 million in the two-year renovation of the facility. The work began last offseason and will be completed after this season.
Elsewhere
Former NBA commissioner David Stern believes medicinal marijuana use by players should be allowed. Stern was interviewed for the website Uninterrupted’s documentary “Concept of Cannabis.” He said he thought there was “universal agreement that marijuana for medical purposes should be completely legal.” Adam Silver, who replaced Stern as commissioner in 2014, has said he is interested in studying more about the safety of medicinal marijuana before commenting.