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1 year ago
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Gregg Popovich went to unusual lengths on Wednesday night to shield his ex-player Kawhi Leonard, as he grabbed the arena microphone and urged Spurs fans to stop booing him.
Leonard, who began his career in San Antonio and won the 2014 Finals MVP with the team, was shooting free throws in the second quarter when fans at the Frost Bank Center began jeering him.
And Popovich decided to take matters into his own hands.
'Excuse me for a second,' he said with the Leonard at the line. 'Can we stop all the booing and let these guys play? It's got no class, it's not who we are. Knock off the booing.
However, fans continued to boo Leonard after Popovich's pleas.
Gregg Popovich grabbed the mic on Wednesday night and told Spurs fans to stop booing
Kawhi Leonard played under Popovich for seven seasons, winning one championship
After the game, Popovich explained why he grabbed the microphone to deliver his message to the fans.
'Anybody that knows anything about sports - you don't poke the bear,' he said.
Leonard spent the first seven years of his career in San Antonio and blossomed into a superstar there.
However, things ended on a sour note as he eventually demanded a trade, which was granted when he was dealt to the Raptors in 2018.
He won the second championship of his career with Toronto in his lone season there.
On Wednesday, his Clippers beat the Spurs 109-102.
He finished the game with 26 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama tallied 22 points and 15 boards.
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