Perhaps ABC and the NBA should package the sideline interviews with Gregg Popovich as a separate show during the Finals. It will be must-see TV.
On Tuesday, I did a Q/A with Doris Burke, who revealed her “angst” in having to question the San Antonio coach during the in-game interviews. It turns out she isn’t alone in having that feeling.
Marc Stein at ESPN.com did a lengthy story talking to sideline reporters who have a similar angst in regards to Popovich.
From TNT’s David Aldridge:
“There is nothing — nothing — that I do or people that I interview that fill me with as much agita as getting ready to interview Pop at the end of the third quarter of a Spurs home game,” Aldridge said. “When San Antonio is on the road and I interview him at the end of the first [quarter], it’s much easier. If the Spurs stink it up, it’s obvious, as it is if they play well. But if they’re at home … good God.
“The whole first half, halftime, [for] the whole third quarter, my stomach is churning. What are the patterns in the game? What is obvious? What isn’t obvious? It’s cringe-inducing. I have so much respect for him as a coach and I know it’s imposing on him [and every other coach] to get them out of their thoughts [so they can] talk to me. Look, the guy has won four rings. There isn’t anything I can ask that is going to get him to go, ‘Damn, David, that’s a really good question. I hadn’t thought of that.’ “
ESPN’s Lisa Salters:
“It is very nerve-wracking. I never think of Pop as trying to make you look bad — you never take it personal because it’s just Pop being Pop — but you just know he’s going to be kind of snarky. So you’re doing your job, but you’re also thinking, ‘I don’t want to be embarrassed on live television.’ “
TNT’s Craig Sager:
“He’s sitting there with all this stuff going through his head, thinking about adjustments he wants to make and talking to his staff and how he’s going to get that message to his players, and then he has to stop and talk to, say, me,” Sager explains. “That’s what the [TV] contract calls for, but for him, I’m an irritant. I’m a nuisance. So whatever I get out of him, I’m happy to get. If it’s not exactly what we’re looking for and not what I was hoping for, I can’t blame him. He doesn’t want to be interrupted when he’s doing his job.”
And here’s the strange contradiction about the sideline reporters and Popovich. They really like the guy.
Said ESPN’s Heather Cox:
“People often ask me what Pop is like and my answer is simple. He is one of my favorite coaches. I enjoy working with him and respect him, his work ethic, his passion and his approach. I always say that he is the type of coach that I would like to play for. He treats everyone equally, knows how to get the most out of his players and commands the utmost respect.
“My feeling is, Coach Popovich makes us earn our keep. If we ask a stupid question, we will get a stupid answer. It is our job to assess the situation and tenor of the interview, know the person we are interviewing and use that understanding to prepare the most appropriate question for the specific situation. If we ask a leading or lazy question, a yes/no question or make a statement, Pop will let us know. I respect that.”
Game 1 is tonight. Let the Gregg Popovich show begin.