For San Antonio Spurs coaching legend Gregg Popovich, this NBA Finals is like a win-win situation. Or a lose-lose situation, depending how you look at it.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Celtics coach Ime Udoka are lucky enough to call Pop a mentor. Now they’re going head-to-head with a chance to win it all.
Live from Boston, Steve Kerr talks NBA Finals
As his team held on to a 3-2 series lead, Kerr joined 95.7 The Game’s “Damon & Ratto” from Boston on Tuesday for his weekly appearance. Kerr talked Game 5, Game 6 and what it’s like to face Udoka on such a big stage after getting to know him during the past Olympic cycle.
“(Udoka) was not on the front of the bench, but he was part of the staff and Tokyo,” Kerr told hosts Damon Bruce and Ray Ratto. “So was Will Hardy, his No. 1 assistant here in Boston. Another Pop guy. We’re all really good friends and have been through a lot together.”
Kerr played for Popovich in San Antonio from 1998-2003, winning the 1999 and 2003 titles as a role player on the Spurs. Udoka served on Pop’s staff from 2012-19, while Hardy spent 10 seasons in San Antonio as a video coordinator and assistant coach before joining Udoka’s staff for his first head-coaching gig.
Once the Warriors-Celtics matchup was set, Popovich let them know he had to be Switzerland
“Pop texted all of us before the series started and said, ‘I am now neutral. I’ll be rooting for everybody.’” Kerr said. “I know he’s gonna be thrilled for whoever wins and despondent for whoever loses. That’s genuine Pop, for sure.”
“And either way, he’ll have a big glass of wine to cope with his despondency and joy,” Ratto said.
“No doubt,” Kerr said. “No doubt.”
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