Gregg Popovich is one of the hardest sideline interviews in the business. Luckily, Doris Burke is one of the greatest sideline interviewers of all time.
Gregg Popovich has built a legacy in the city of San Antonio. He is revered as one of the greatest, if not the greatest mind and coach in all of sports. Despite his five NBA titles and numerous Coach of the Year awards, Popovich’s legacy will be partially defined by not his achievements on the court but by his shenanigans that don’t occur during the 48 minutes of play.
A worst case scenario for any journalist, interviewer or reporter is the moment they are forced to interact with Popovich. Mostly expressionless, it is hard to get a read on what exactly is going on in his mind.
Popovich has been very vocal about his disdain for league-required interviews and press conferences, often times replying to questions with one word, sarcastic and obvious answers. Routinely looking repulsed and disgusted when asked a question, he is an imposing figure who will leave many second guessing their career choice as a journalist.
However, of all days you would expect Popovich to be on his best behavior, it would be Mother’s Day. On a day when we you would expect everyone to give every mother a free pass from the routine drudgery that moms are faced with on a daily basis, Popovich still wouldn’t defect from the norm.
During Sunday’s Game 1 matchup between Popovich’s Spurs and the Golden State Warriors, the legendary Doris Burke was presented the opportunity to get Pop’s take on what had transpired up to that point. Popovich and his usual bothered demeanor simply replied with the basic, generic answer of “I thought we had a pretty good pace” when asked by Burke about San Antonio’s efficient start.
But before Popovich had the chance to win another round with a reporter, Burke turned the tables around and gave Pop a taste of his own medicine. As Popovich was expecting question number 2, Burke demonstrated why she is one of the most respected names in the industry by simply stating that she giving herself a Mother’s Day gift, a reprieve from another wasted moment of questions with him.
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And Popovich, who appeared smitten by the remark jovially replied “Happy Mother’s Day.”
When most mother received flowers, manicures and gift cards on Sunday, Doris Burke got the greatest Mother’s Day gift of all, a smile and acknowledgement from Greg Popovich on a very special day.