Gregg Popovich calls out Spurs for poor offensive first quarter in Game 3
The Spurs struggled to get anything going offensively in their series with the Rockets, and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich took notice in Game 3.
The San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are in the midst of one of the most odd series in NBA history as far as scoring is concerned, and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich let loose about it in his in-game interview on ESPN.
Popovich, who notoriously doesn’t like doing interviews during games and usually, like Bill Belichick in the NFL, gives non-answers to show his displeasure. However, occasionally “Pop” will provide fans will a golden quote or two to balance against other boring answers.
The Spurs only tallied 19 points in the first quarter of Game 3, and shot 35 percent in the period. In an interview before the second quarter, Popovich was blunt about what he was seeing after such an impressive display in Game 2.
“I haven’t thought about that much,” Popovich said when asked about what worked in Game 2. “I’m watching the worst offense I’ve ever seen in my life.”
When asked what stands out in comparison to the performance from the team’s 121-96 win in Game 2 over the Rockets, Popovich reiterated his point and replied “Bad offense.”
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The Spurs are without their starting point guard, Tony Parker, who was ruled out for the rest of the series with a ruptured quad tendon in his left leg. The team lost Game 1 in a poor offensive performance 126-99, and bounced back to take Game 2, despite the loss of Parker.
San Antonio bounced back after getting outscored 21-19 in the first quarter, and took a 43-39 lead into the half. They were a dreadful 1-for-8 from the three-point line in the first, but quickly bounced back after maybe hearing their head coach’s criticism of their performance.