Gregg Popovich didn’t hesitate to grab the microphone and address fans directly at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday night (Daniel Dunn/USA Today) (USA TODAY USPW / Portal)
Gregg Popovich wasn’t in the mood on Wednesday night.
The San Antonio Spurs coach rushed to the microphone at the Frost Bank Center in Texas near the end of the second quarter of their game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Popovich, while former Spurs star Kawhi Leonard was shooting free throws for the Clippers, was angry at how Spurs fans treated Leonard.
“Excuse me for a moment. Can we stop booing and let these guys play?” Popovich told fans while Leonard was hunched over between free throws. “It has no class, it is not who we are. Stop booing.”
Popovich then walked away and made a gesture with his arms as some fans briefly clapped. The boos then quickly returned.
Leonard made his first start with the Spurs in 2011 after the organization traded for him on draft night with the No. 15 overall pick. Leonard spent seven seasons in San Antonio, helping the franchise to an NBA title in 2014.
However, his departure from San Antonio was tough. Due to a lingering quadriceps injury that he and the franchise reportedly disagreed with, Leonard only appeared in nine games during the 2017-18 season. This led to their relationship becoming contentious and the Spurs eventually trading him to the Toronto Raptors. He won a championship there and has been with the Clippers since 2019.
However, the boos on Wednesday evening are nothing new. Since Leonard’s departure, Spurs fans have booed him every time he’s in town. Apparently they’re still not over his exit, even after the franchise took French sensation Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft earlier this year. The Leonard era is long behind them.
Still, Popovich will clearly try to do everything in his power to stop the boos. Spurs fans just aren’t ready to listen.
Leonard, 32, entered Wednesday averaging 21 points and 5.3 rebounds this season. The Clippers, coming off two straight wins after a seven-game losing streak, led 54-48 at halftime.