Heat, 76ers hit hard by sudden death of Popovich’s wife

MIAMI - The Heat and San Antonio Spurs have so much in common beyond meeting twice on basketball's big-gest stage — the NBA Finals.

The organizations are linked because of their cul-ture, consistent winning and coaches. Erik Spoels-tra and Gregg Popovich are the longest-tenured active coaches in the league.

When the Spurs announced Wednesday that Popovich's wife, Erin, had died, it sent shock waves through the league. Erin Popovich, 67, had been battling an illness for an extended period. The cou-ple was married for four decades.

"It's saddening news," Spoelstra said. "It caught all of us by surprise and all you can do is send all your thoughts and prayers to the Popovich family. I can't even imagine going through that. Four decades of marriage, that in itself is incredible. All of Heat nation and the entire NBA fraternity sends our thoughts."

Dwyane Wade, who was on those Heat teams that split two Finals with the Spurs — Miami winning in 2013, San Antonio winning in 2014 — said he was with his wife, Gabrielle Union, and the two stopped to have "a moment of mourning (Erin) and praying for his family and hoping that this tough time they will push through together" even though Wade had never met Erin.

"A lot of guys around the league respect coach Pop," Wade said "But when you hear news of anyone in this league dealing with any-thing from a standpoint of tragedy in their families, it always touches you, it always makes the world stop. It makes you have a moment to pray for them, for his family, because it's a tough time."

"I think LeBron ( James) said it best — we all com-pete against each other in this league. But in some form, in some way, it's a bond and brotherhood in the game of basketball for everybody. So, it's a sad moment for the NBA when-ever someone loses some-one close to him, like coach Pop did."

Popovich, 69, has been a part of the Spurs organi-zation for 30 years, taking over as coach in 1992. Sheers coach Brett Brown worked for Popovich for more than a decade, most of those as an assistant.

"I've been with Pop a long time," Brown said. "I've known Erin Popovich a long time. Their family is wonderful. Their family has been incredibly kind to my family. She was a star, like a real star, just a very strong woman. Somebody who will be missed."

Wade disses comedian Hart: Actor Kevin Hart didn't appreciate Wade say-ing that Sixers fans could thank Hart for Wade's 28-point performance in the Heat's Game 2 victory over Philadelphia.

Wade and Hart talked trash during the game with Hart sitting courtside oppo-site the Heat's bench. They also exchanged barbs on social media following the game. But Wade got the last laugh over the comedian when he stared down Hart, who was sitting with Sixers legend Allen Iverson, after Wade buried a jumper with about 45 seconds remain-ing that sealed Miami's win.

Wade was asked Wednes-day if Hart was going to be at Game 3 in Miami. "I don't really care," Wade said. "We're not friends right now. We made it very clear we're not friends now, but we'll be friends after the playoffs is over with. We're not friends. I don't like him."

Hart, 38, was born in Phil-adelphia. He was banned from the stage following the Eagles' Super Bowl victory over the Patriots in Febru-ary, but the Sixers are mak-ing him feel part of the team during the playoffs.

Heat guard Wayne Elling-ton, also a Philadelphia native, was asked how nice it was to see Hart put in his place. "That was pretty cool," Ellington said. "Key and his little self over there talking trash.... We'll see if he comes out to our build-ing. It was cool though. Add more fuel to the fire."

Ellington said Hart was chirping during pregame.

"I said 'Man, sit your little butt down.' But it's all fun and jokes. Obviously, he's a comedian. That's his job."