You just never know what Gregg Popovich will say

MIAMI--Gregg Popovich didn’t need an in-game interview to jab a broadcaster.

The San Antonio Spurs coach took aim at a slew of media members Wednesday at a news conference leading up to the NBA Finals.

Known for his withering stare and terse comments when interviewed during timeouts on national TV, Popovich playfully chided reporters throughout a 10-minute question-and-answer session.

He couldn’t help himself when asked how “amazing” it was that Tim Duncan could win a championship ring in three decades.

“Truly amazing.That’s how amazing,” Popovich said. “How amazing? How am I supposed to answer that? Really, really amazing. Not trying to be a wiseguy. What am I going to say? He’s ridiculous. He’s amazing, as you said.”

Popovich, whose Spurs play Miami in Game 1 on Thursday, reminded everybody in a massive interview setting that they weren’t as keen as LeBron James.

“He knows basketball better than everybody put together in this room,” he said.

Popovich also talked about his own players, specifically the well-known trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. How have they sustained such success over such a long period?

“I think that it’s a real simple answer,” Popovich said. “Nobody really likes it. They want me to say something different. It’s a total function of who those three guys are. What if they were jerks? What if they were selfish? What if one of them was, you know, unintelligent? If, if, if. But the way it all works out, all three of them are highly intelligent. They all have great character. They appreciate their teammates’ success.

“So I think it’s just a matter of being really, really fortunate to have three people who understand that and who commit to a system and a philosophy for that length of time. I don’t know what else to tell you. It’s on them.”

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