Just how often does a head coach for an NBA team grab the microphone to speak to a crowd?
If you weren’t watching the Mavericks visit the Clippers during Dirk Nowitzki’s farewell tour on Feb. 26, 2019, then Wednesday night was probably the first time for many. More on Nowitzki in a moment.
First, Wednesday night.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich had enough of the San Antonio fans at Frost Bank Center booing their former superstar Kawhi Leonard, now a Clipper, every moment the forward touched the ball. That’s a common occurrence for any star who moves cities. Look back at LeBron James’ return to Cleveland or any of Kyrie Irving’s first appearances against the Cavaliers or Celtics.
While it may be common, that doesn’t mean Popovich had to like it.
“Excuse me for a second,” Popovich said, silencing the crowd late in the first half. “Can we stop all the booing and let these guys play? Have a little class. It’s not who we are. Knock off the booing.”
The Spurs traded Leonard to the Raptors after he requested a trade. Leonard won a championship with the Raptors before heading to the Clippers. Wednesday was his return to San Antonio, so it was fair to expect drama.
But Popovich switched things up by grabbing the mic and asking fans not to boo. That situation was unique. But Mavericks faithful may remember when then-Clippers head coach Doc Rivers snagged the mic and urged the crowd at Staples Center to get on their feet for one more round of applause for Nowitzki.
“One of greatest of all time, Dirk Nowitzki,” Rivers said while pointing at the 7-footer, standing on the other end of the court.
Not exactly the same moment for Leonard, who was taking free throws to a downpour of boos. But Wednesday wasn’t the first time a head coach grabbed a mic. Not even the first time at a Clippers game.
Wow. Legendary coach @DocRivers STOPS THE GAME to hop on the P.A. system and call @swish41 the greatest.#MFFL pic.twitter.com/ESOOFmdcNp
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) February 26, 2019
