Former San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich recently got married to Mary Barth Budenholzer, the ex-wife of his longtime assistant coach, Mike Budenholzer.

According to a Bexar County marriage license, Popovich and his wife married on Sept.16 in Texas.

Popovich won four NBA championships with the Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007) with Budenholzer as his assistant coach. After the Spurs lost the 2013 NBA Finals to the Miami Heat, Budenholzer took the head coaching job with the Atlanta Hawks. 

Budenholzer spent 17 seasons on Popovich’s staff in San Antonio (1996-2013), starting as a video coordinator before becoming the lead assistant coach.

After a stint in Atlanta, Budenholzer began coaching the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the franchise to its first NBA Finals appearance in 50 years when the Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns 4-2 in 2021. Budenholzer would then coach the Phoenix Suns during the 2024-25 season. He didn’t coach in the NBA during the 2025-26 season.

Budenholzer and his ex-wife reportedly got divorced in 2016. Popovich went through his own hardships in 2018 when his wife of 42 years, Erin, passed away following a long illness.

In November 2024, Popovich suffered a mild stroke in the arena before a home game. Medical complications forced him to step away from the bench, and his assistant coach, Mitch Johnson, took over as interim head coach.

Popovich ended his legendary NBA coaching career in 2025 after 29 seasons and finished as the NBA’s all-time wins leader. Popovich missed 77 games during the 2024-25 season due to health issues; the NBA would adjust his career record after his retirement to bring his career coaching record to 1,390-824.

While Popovich was away, the team finished 32-45, with Johnson serving as interim coach and later becoming head coach.

Popovich now serves as the Spurs’ president of operations. After his retirement, the Spurs reached the NBA Finals but fell short to the New York Knicks.

San Antonio will keep their 74-year-old Hall of Famer – Gregg Popovich signed to a deal to remain as the head coach and president of basketball operations for the Spurs. Pop is now the highest-paid NBA head coach, as he resets the coaching market with his five-year extension worth $80 million.

This new deal will likely not play out fully with Pop as a coach over the five seasons, but it could likely end with him in the front office as the president of basketball operations, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

But according to sources close to Pop, they say he has been “re-energized” the past few years with a rebuilding Spurs team currently. Now coaching with more of a developmental focus with a core consisting of younger players than before, Pop can get back to the kind of “hands-on, player development” by teaching the game kind of coaching he prefers rather than a contending team with star players with experience but troublesome egos at times.

The former five-time champion is considered one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time and will now get to shape French phenom Victor Wembanyama, the former top pick in this past NBA draft. Now with the star rookie at hand, Pop should be feeling like a brand new self on the sidelines for at least a couple more years before he decides to hang it up as the oldest coach with the longest tenure in the NBA currently.

Now with the 19-year-old superstar rookie center, along with a young core of power forward Jeremy Sochan, shooting guard Devin Vassell, small forward Keldon Johnson, and point guard Tre Jones, Pop will have his work cut out for him. All under 23, this core will be able to develop together under Pop’s tutelage, as the Spurs went 22-60 last season tied for the second-worst record in the NBA.

Although this team is nowhere near close to contending, at least there is hope with the youth they have and the talent San Antonio possesses should pay dividends on the court for Pop in the future.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in Texas confirmed Friday that it was investigating allegations concerning former San Antonio Spurs player Josh Primo. Former team psychologist Hillary Cauthen filed a lawsuit against the organization and Primo on Wednesday. Cauthen is claiming that the former player exposed himself during private meetings on nine occasions and that the team did nothing to stop the behavior.

In the past week, Primo has been released from the Spurs and sued by Cauthen and attorney Tony Buzbee, who has previously defended accusers of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Now, he will face a criminal probe for his alleged actions.

When the Spurs waived Primo on Oct. 28, they did not reveal any details about his actions off the court. In a statement at the time, Primo said that he was taking the opportunity to focus on “previous trauma” and his “mental health.”

His attorney, William J. Biggs II, has vehemently denied accusations, stating that Primo was being “victimized” by Cauthen, “who is playing to ugly stereotypes and racially charged fears for her own financial benefit.”

Cauthen’s lawsuit revolves around what she claims was consistent sexual harassment from Primo, behavior that “went unchecked by the organization’s leadership for many months.” The team-appointed psychologist reportedly met with GM Brian Wright in March, two months after she first requested a meeting. At the time, the suit claims that Wright told her that the team would “develop a plan with regard to Primo for the remainder of the season.”

Cauthen was later asked to meet with Primo again, where he allegedly “exposed his penis,” leading her to abruptly end the session. She was also allegedly told by the team that Head Coach Gregg Popovich was aware of the situation and wanted to handle it.

But according to Buzbee, who also defended accusers of quarterback Deshaun Watson, there is little evidence to suggest that Popovich was ever informed. The coach has not commented on the issue.

After capturing his third Olympic gold medal (2012, 2016, 2020) this past summer at the Tokyo Games, Kevin Durant was honored as the 2021 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.

“It’s amazing to be honored in this way,” Durant said. “First off, to represent your country and do it amongst the best athletes in the world, it’s an honor. So many great athletes come through USA Basketball and the national teams in general in all sports, and so to be chosen as one of the top athletes is an honor. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and thankful that I received this award.”

It’s the third time Durant has earned the distinction, as he won it in 2010 and shared it with Carmelo Anthony in 2016.

“Kevin was an incredible leader for USA Basketball this past summer,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO. “With this being his third Olympics, he had the respect of his teammates, and he clearly is one of the best basketball players in the world. USA Basketball is grateful to Kevin for his time and ongoing commitment to our organization, and we are proud to celebrate him as the 2021 Male Athlete of the Year.”

Durant started in all six Olympic matchups for the USA, and he averaged a team-leading 20.7 points per game and team second-best of 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He shot 52.9% from the field, 37.5% from 3-point and 90.5% from the free throw line and was named by FIBA as MVP of the 2020 Olympic men’s basketball tournament.

“As he has done before, Kevin Durant performed brilliantly on the international stage and led the way to another gold medal,” said USA head coach Gregg Popovich, who was named as a co-recipient of the 2021 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year award on Dec. 15. “I remain awed by his work ethic, leadership and desire to excel.”

Durant’s 20.7 ppg. set a U.S. Olympic men’s single-competition record for points averaged, and he tied Carmelo Anthony for most Olympic gold medals (three). Durant is one of just four U.S. male basketball athletes to play in three or more Olympics.

Durant, who has led the USA in scoring in all three of his Olympic appearances and at the 2010 FIBA World Cup, owns eight U.S. Olympic men’s career records, including the top spot for points (435), points averaged (19.8), field goals made (146) and attempted (276), 3-point field goals made (74) and attempted (148) and free throws made (69) and attempted (80).

Among all Tokyo Olympic men’s basketball athletes, Durant ranked third in points scored and field goals made, fourth in field goals attempted and defensive rebounds and sixth in scoring average.

In the USA’s three preliminary round games, Durant scored 10 points against France on July 25; had 10 points and five assist versus Iran on July 28; and scored 23 points to go with eight rebounds and six assists against Czech Republic on July 31.

In the quarterfinals on Aug. 3, he led the USA with 29 points and four assists versus Spain; in the semifinals on Aug. 5, he led the USA with 23 points and nine rebounds against Australia; and in the gold medal game on Aug. 7, he led the USA with 29 points and six rebounds in a rematch with France.

Durant started in all four 2021 USA Men’s national Team exhibition games, and he averaged a team second-best 16.3 ppg. to go with 4.3 rpg. He recorded 17 points, five rebounds and four assists against Nigeria on July 10; 17 points and four rebounds against Australia on July 12; 17 points and six rebounds against Argentina on July 13; and 14 points against Spain on July 18.

Following a loss to France on Sunday, the U.S. Men’s basketball team found its form Wednesday afternoon during a 120-66 rout against Iran.

It was the first win of the Olympics for the men’s basketball team. The victory was only possible after head coach Gregg Popovich made some serious adjustments to the game plan and rotation following Sunday’s loss to France. First and foremost, Popovich changed the starting lineup. He inserted Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker. Both players came off the bench against France after traveling to Japan late following the NBA Finals.

The improved lineup brought balance to the team and paid off as the team produced 19 fast-break points in the first half alone. In addition, Damian Lillard, who surprisingly struggled with his shot against France, exploded for 21 points, all of which came from seven three-pointers. Team USA improved their three-point shooting drastically after only converting 10-of-32 shots from beyond the arc against France. Against Iran, they shot 48.7 percent from the three-point line. Booker scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds, Jayson Tatum had 14 points and Zach LaVine tallied 13 points. It was a well-rounded effort.

“Being in the hotel, at meals, and on the practice court and just talking after that loss, we came together,” Lillard said. “It’s time to start looking like Team USA.”

“Each of these guys scores 20 or 25 points for their teams; we can’t play like that, and so we don’t,” Popovich said of the team. “Everybody in a sense is a role player now; we don’t need heroes.”

The United States will face the Czech Republic on Saturday. A win over the Czechs will clinch a berth into the medal round next week.

Bradley Beal will not participate in the Tokyo Olympics after he was placed in the COVID-19 protocol.

“Bradley Beal, who was placed under USA Basketball’s health & safety protocols on Wednesday, will remain in protocol & will be unable to participate in the Tokyo Olympic Games,” USA Basketball announced. “Out of an abundance of caution, Jerami Grant has been placed under health & safety protocols.”

USA Basketball later revealed that their Friday exhibition game against Australia was canceled. “Out of an abundance of caution, the USA Men’s National Team exhibition versus Australia on Friday has been canceled,” USA Basketball tweeted.

“Our goal overall is we’re trying to get everybody safely to Tokyo,” the U.S. men’s national team coach Gregg Popovich said, “and at the same time prepare a basketball team to be successful. We’re trying to be vigilant about what we do, where we go.”

Earlier this week, Beal was excited to play for the Olympic team as it was a lifelong dream he’s had since he was a kid. Popovich and Draymond Green expressed their sympathies for Beal.

“I’m dying for [Beal]. We all are,” Popovich said. “Since he was a little kid, this has been a dream of his, and he was playing great. … For him and his immediate family, it’s devastating. We just feel horrible about it.”

“It’s costing people opportunities of a lifetime. It sucks,” forward Draymond Green said. “We all came in hoping we wouldn’t be affected by it. It’s just not the way it’s gone.”

USA Basketball officials met on Thursday to discuss a possible replacement for Beal.

Team USA seemed to be closer to Olympic gold form against Argentina, defeating them by a score of 108-80. The deeply needed win comes just 12 days before the team is set to kick off its slate of games in Tokyo.

“Against Australia, we competed well, rebounded, played defense, ran the floor and had good pace for a half and then it dissipated for a half. Tonight, we maintained that pretty much throughout the game. Hopefully, that’s a sign we’re getting better,” said head coach Gregg Popovich.

Kevin Durant shook off his rust from the first two exhibition matches, shooting 6 of 9 and recording 17 points. Zach LaVine also turned in a strong performance, alongside a 15-point game from Jayson Tatum.

Popovich kept his starting unit on the floor much more of the game than the previous exhibitions, believing their losses were due in part to a lack of proper conditioning.

While the win was impressive, Argentina is the weakest team in terms of rankings that the U.S. has faced.

Popovich kept the work still needed before the Olympics in perspective.

“We’re going to continue to work hard like we need to. … Without the condition, we can’t get this done.”

Team USA basketball has been expected to dominate the competition in the Olympics. So far – they have done anything but that.

The U.S. was defeated by Australia’s basketball team 91-83, despite leading at halftime by 11 points. The defeat marks their second in a row after they fell to Nigeria by a scoreline of 90-87, which was arguably the biggest upset in international sports in recent memory.

Head Coach Gregg Popovich emphasized progress rather than results. “After a short time together, there’s a lot of things that have to be covered … We are still working at becoming a team,” said Popovich.

“No disrespect to them, they’re a hell of a team, obviously the guys they’ve got on their roster and Pop standing up there is always nice to see, but we came in here expecting to win the game and that’s what we did,” said Australia and Utah Jazz player Joe Ingles. Even without star player Ben Simmons and having changed their head coach twice in just two years, Australia still managed to grind out a victory. A large part of this victory came from gritty paint play, which saw Australia rack up 44 points.

While Australia looked energetic, physical and played solid team basketball, the U.S. seemed to lack true determination or enthusiasm throughout the contest.

Team USA can no longer win with lackluster performances. if they are to succeed in Tokyo, they will need to improve drastically – and quickly, too.

On Thursday, Rick Carlisle resigned as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Carlisle ended his reign as the Mavericks’ head coach after 13 years with the team. He announced his departure only one day after longtime Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson also left the team.

In a written statement to ESPN, Carlisle wrote, “After a number of in-person conversations with Mark Cuban over the last week, today I informed him that I will not be returning as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks,” Carlisle said. “This was solely my decision. My family and I have had an amazing 13-year experience working with great people in a great city.”

In the statement, he was thankful for the opportunity to work alongside Cuban, Nelson, CEO Cynt Marshall, vice president of basketball operations Michael Finley, assistant general manager Keith Grant and players, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd.

Carlisle had been the NBA’s third-longest-tenured head coach behind San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich and Miami’s Erik Spoelstra. Carlisle had a 555-478 record during his 13 seasons in Dallas, setting a franchise record for wins. Carlisle had a 33-38 postseason record with the Mavs, who have not advanced past the first round since their title run 10 years ago.

The biggest accomplishment for the head coach was leading Dallas to an NBA Championship in 2011.

Carlisle’s sudden exit comes after sources say that there was tension between the head coach and Dallas star Luka Doncic. Doncic made animated gestures on the court towards Carlisle whenever he disagreed with a decision. The superstar also yelled at Carlisle in front of assistant coaches and teammates. The tension between the two became a concern for the organization.

Jamahl Mosley is a potential candidate to become the team’s new head coach. Mosley also has a good relationship with Doncic.

The summer Olympics are right around the corner, and the United States is seemingly poised to accomplish great things, particularly in basketball with its latest two commits. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green have committed to the United States basketball team and will compete in the Tokyo Olympics, according to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania and Joe Vardon.

These players are the first known potential players for the summer and set a good veteran foundation. With the rest of the roster expected to be finalized by late June, training camp for Team USA is set to start in July in Las Vegas with San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. The group stage of the Olympics tournament will be held from July 25 to August 1, and the knockout stage will be from August 3 to August 7.

Green brings some needed experience and toughness, as he was a part of the 2016 U.S. team that won gold in the 2016 Rio games. He is coming off another standout year defensively, as well as an underrated year on the offensive side of the ball. Green was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team for the fourth time and was a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award. He finished the season averaging 7.0 points, 8.9 assists, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. His 8.9 assists per game ranked third in the league, and his high IQ and playmaking skills will make everyone’s life easier in Tokyo. Although his Warriors (39–33) missed the playoffs after losing to the Lakers and Grizzlies in the play-in games, Green should be extra motivated to have a strong showing.

Lillard has never officially competed for U.S. basketball but expressed his interest in doing so earlier this season. He’ll fit like a glove next to Green, who is used to playing with a similar player in Stephen Curry. Lillard is coming off yet another stellar season where he averaged 28.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists to lead Portland (42–30) to the No. 6 seed. His team was bounced out of the first round of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets in six games.

On Thursday, LaMarcus Aldridge announced his sudden retirement from basketball after experiencing an irregular heartbeat.

The seven-time All-Star announced his decision on social media. “My last game, I played while dealing with an irregular heartbeat,” Aldridge wrote. “Later on that night, my rhythm got even worse which really worried me even more.”

The Brooklyn Nets center wrote about his decision to get checked out in the hospital and the support he received from the team. “Though I’m better now, what I felt with my heart that night was still one of the scariest things I’ve experienced,” his statement continued.

“I’ve made the difficult decision to retire from the NBA,” the center wrote. “For 15 years, I’ve put basketball first, and now, it is time to put my health and family first.”

The Nets’ organization was supportive of Aldridge’s difficult decision. Brooklyn released a statement from general manager Sean Marks. “We know this was not an easy decision for him, but after careful consideration and consultation with numerous medical experts, he made the best decision for him, his family, and for his life after basketball.”

Aldridge was drafted with the second pick of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. The big man quickly emerged as a star for Portland and was one of the anchors for the team. In his early seasons with Portland, he was seen as the future of the team. Aldridge was part of the core that involved Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, but injuries forced Roy and Oden into early retirements.

However, Aldridge formed a duo with fellow Blazers teammate and star Damian Lillard. The two were able to lead the team into Western Conference contention on several occasions. Lillard spoke about his former teammate and showed his appreciation for the former Blazer. “LA is one of the greatest players to play in Portland,” Lillard said. “He was at the peak of his career when I got here.”

In 2015, the All-Star signed with the San Antonio Spurs. Aldridge spent five seasons with San Antonio. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich released a statement regarding Aldridge’s retirement. “We’re grateful for his contributions, both on and off the court, during his time here in San Antonio,” Popovich said. “I’m proud of him for making this difficult decision and we wish him and his family all of the best in the future.”

The Spurs and Aldridge agreed to a contract buyout last month, and the big man signed with the Nets. The center only appeared in five games for Brooklyn before his abrupt retirement.

Former Spurs’ legend Tim Duncan received his first win as a head coach in Tuesday’s 104-103 victory over the Hornets while filling in for Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich who was dealing with “personal business,” according to ESPN. Popovich is expected to return this Friday when the Spurs take on the Nets.

“It’s night and day to be in the big-boy chair,” Duncan told ESPN. “But truth be told, I wasn’t in the big-boy chair. We’ve got [assistants] Becky [Hammon] and Will [Hardy] and Mitch [Johnson]. Mitch prepped the game for us, Becky and Will were making all the calls, and I was the only one just standing there screaming at people — nonsensical stuff. So we did it coach by committee, and it could’ve been any one of us up there and we would’ve done exactly the same stuff.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Duncan appeared to be the polar opposite of Popovich who is frequently animated on the sidelines during games. When asked if he had any desire to be a head coach in the NBA, he bluntly replied, “Nope. Pop is going to be back, and I will be happy to hand it right over to him.”

The Spurs started off slow and were down by 17 at one point in the first half, but were able to storm back and enter the fourth quarter with a 77-76 lead. The fourth quarter was tightly contested and the Spurs found themselves up one as Hornets’ point guard Terry Rozier dribbled down the court with a chance to win it. San Antonio was able to catch a break as a pass from Rozier to Cody Martin bobbled out of his hands and time expired on the Hornets’ final possession.

Prior to the final shot, the Spurs had a five point lead and Duncan felt confident there would be no suspense en route to the win. “But they had to make it interesting. I think they did that out of spite,” Duncan said with a smile.

“He obviously has that presence that everyone likes to listen to what he says, and you know he’s very calm in situations and very constructive, and everyone listens and goes out and tries to accomplish that,” Patty Mills said. “So it was good to see everyone dialed in to what he was saying.”

“It was fun just getting in the huddles, especially for a guy like me who had the privilege to play against Tim,” DeMar DeRozan said. “Now to be sitting in the huddle, listening to him coach, it was great.”

The last game the Knicks played they fell to the Denver Nuggets (14-6) by a whopping final of 129-92. This put them at a 4-18 record. Now, just 22 games into the season, head coach David Fizdale has been fired from the New York Knicks.

Knicks President Steve Mills and General Manager Scott Perry have expressed disappointment in the team and the coaching staff since early November, so this move was “inevitable,” according to one agent who represents coaches.

Fizdale, in two seasons with the Knicks, coached them to a 21-83 record. His overall coaching record (104 games with the Knicks and 101 games with the Memphis Grizzlies) is 71-134. Having signed a $22 million deal in 2018, the Knicks will be on the hook to pay the remaining years of his contract, valued at around $17 million.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

The question now has come up about replacements. Early names include that of Mark Jackson, former Knicks guard and Brooklyn native. He coached the Golden State Warriors to a 51-31 record in the 2013-2014 season. San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon would be an interesting choice and she has expressed interest, according to a league source, if a long-term deal was on the table. Of course, Sam Mitchell has been mentioned at least for the short term. The former NBA Coach of the Year for 2007 has a reputation for getting solid effort from players.

Coaches from around the league are jumping in to weigh their thoughts on Fizdale’s departure from New York. San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said, “He’s a fine, talented young coach with a great pedigree, and it’s ridiculous to think you’re gonna bring a young guy in and after being there a minute and a half, you expect him to fix everything that’s been wrong there for a long time.”

Miami Heat head coach and close friend of Fizdale, Erik Spoelstra was disappointed when he said, “They had a very good coaching staff up there. Things just take time in this league. It’s really unfortunate they weren’t given the time to really do some work.”

Fizdale was the Knicks’ sixth different head coach since 2010. At one point, Steve Kerr was considering the job before taking his current role as head coach of the Golden State Warriors. “If I had gone to New York that would have been me like three years ago… Your job is dependent on a lot of things. The talent you coach, but just as important, the strength of the organization around you. It takes a really strong organization to help coaches and players get through difficult times,” Kerr said.

For now, we’ll have to wait and see who the Knicks bring in to replace Fizdale. They will face off against the Indiana Pacers (14-8) at home tonight as look for a much needed boost.

Lebron James showed everyone on Monday night why he is still the best player in the league after the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Spurs 114-104 in San Antonio. James led the team in scoring with 33 points and also dished out 14 assists.

Anthony Davis chipped in with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists.  Davis also contributed two blocks and two steals, and his highly contested shots helped stifle the Spurs. With the Lakers behind in the second quarter, James was able to score 13 straight points to keep Los Angeles within striking distance. The Lakers were trailing by only two at halftime (56-54).

After the Spurs outscored the Lakers 32-26 in the third, the Lakers started the fourth quarter on fire with a 12-3 scoring run that included James hitting two three-pointers.  He finished 4-7 from beyond the arc and like many aging superstars, he has definitely looked to improve this area of his game over the last couple of years.

“I just want to be able to not have any weaknesses, you know, and allow a defense to dictate what I do,” James told Spectrum Sports. “Because of the Spurs, in a lot of my early years [they have been] part of the reason why my jump shot is a lot better today. My first Finals appearance in ’07, they went under on everything and I didn’t shoot the ball, I wasn’t comfortable shooting the ball at that point in time in my career. So I give a lot of thanks to their scheme, a lot of thanks to a lot of other teams that I went against.”

IN MEMORIAM: SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

On the other hand, the Spurs have been an absolute mess and are tied for last place in the Western Conference. In the last ten games, San Antonio are a dismal 1-9, a run that included an eight-game losing streak that was the longest in the Gregg Popovich era. The Spurs made it a fight with their one-two punch duo DeMar Derozan and LaMarcus Aldridge scoring a combined 54 points (24 and 30, respectively). While San Antonio kept it close with offense, they could not get stops when they needed to.  Although DeRozan and Aldridge can score at will, there is really no one on the Spurs’ roster who can slow down James.  He is bigger, faster, and stronger even at nearly the age of 35 in his 17th season in the NBA.

“Every time I tell you guys that it’s the best I’ve felt, you guys kind of get a, ‘Alright,’ [look of bewilderment]  and then I go out and I’m able to do what I do,” James added. “My spring [is good], my quick-twitch [muscles are good], my mind is sharp, my body is good.  It might be the wine I’m drinking. I’ll keep drinking some more if I’m going to keep doing that,” James said.

President Donald Trump made his first comments about the ongoing controversy between the NBA and China this week.

Trump criticized coaches Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich in how they responded to the ordeal.

The president said NBA officials have to “‘work out their own situations” and added he believes Kerr and Popovich were “pandering to China.”

“I watch the way that Kerr and Popovich and some of the others were pandering to China, and yet to our own country, it’s like they don’t respect it,” Trump said. “It’s like they don’t respect it. I said, ‘What a difference — isn’t it sad?’ It’s very sad. To me, it’s very sad.”

Kerr, who has never been afraid to criticize the Trump administration, said he had no comment when asked about the China controversy involving Daryl Morey and the NBA.

Trump zeroed in on Kerr two days later, saying the three-time champion coach “was like a little boy, he was so scared to be even answering the question.”

“He couldn’t answer the question — he was shaking, ‘Oh, oh, oh, I don’t know. I don’t know,'” Trump said of the Golden State Warriors coach. “He didn’t know how to answer the question, and yet he’ll talk about the United States very badly.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Spurs coach Popovich — another frequent Trump critic — also did his best to avoid talking about the situation, but praised commissioner Adam Silver for defending the right of free speech. 

“I watched Popovich — sort of the same thing, but he didn’t look quite as scared actually,” Trump said. “But they talk badly about the United States, but when it talks about China, they don’t want to say anything bad. I thought it was pretty sad, actually. It’ll be very interesting.”

In actuality, the reasons these coaches are avoiding making comments about the controversy revolve most likely around the fact that it is in the NBA’s utmost financial importance to keep relations with China healthy. Any more outspoken comments may only increase tensions as teams are currently playing in China.

Most NBA coaches have avoided the topic when asked by reporters, as Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni refused to answer any questions on the topic after his team’s game in Tokyo. Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers also refused to go into specifics when asked.

Wednesday in Washington, a bipartisan group of lawmakers that included Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) sent a letter to Silver saying the NBA should show the “courage and integrity” to stand up to the Chinese government. The lawmakers asked the NBA — among other things — to suspend activities in China until what they called the “selective treatment” against the Rockets ends.

The NBA has made no comment on the letter and there has been no indication commissioner Silver has seen the document.

The protests in Hong Kong were sparked by a proposed extradition law that would have allowed suspects to be sent to China to face trial. Activists saw that as a threat to the legal rights that Hong Kong residents have under the current “one country, two systems” framework.

New Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker is excited about the United States’ chances in the upcoming FIBA World Cup.

“This is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of us,” Walker said, according to ESPN in Vegas on Monday. “I think a lot of us are happy those guys pulled out because this is our chance.”

There are a ton of new players who are featured on this team, including the likes of Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner and Donovan Mitchell.

“It’s our chance to get on the big stage and showcase our talent,” he said, according to ESPN. “A chance for us to do something new. It’ll be a new-look team. Everybody is kind of doubting us, but I think we’re hungry.”

The head coach of Team USA, Gregg Popovich, who is also the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, said he is slightly worried with the different players that are at this training camp ahead of the FIBA World Cup.

“I’ve said that we’re going to be fine and by that what I really meant is that we’re blessed with a lot of depth in USA Basketball,” he said, according to ESPN. “All of the players here want to be here, there’s no question about it. And that’s a big part of the battle itself. And so, when you look at the enthusiasm, the youth, the athleticism and versatility, that’ll really work well for us because our depth will be a factor.”

The US team is prepping to face China in the upcoming FIBA World Cup on August 31. The US team will then play the Czech Republic the day afterwards.

“Obviously, we play with more of a chip [on our shoulders],” Mitchell said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I think a lot of countries think they see an opening, so for us we have to go out there and compete and get ready. We’re going to get every team’s best shot.”

NBA Hall of Fame power forward Tim Duncan is returning to basketball following a three-year absence since his retirement as a player in 2016. The lifelong San Antonio Spur will be joining Gregg Popovich’s team as an assistant coach beginning in the upcoming 2019-2020 NBA season.

“It is only fitting, that after I served loyally for 19 years as Tim Duncan’s assistant, that he returns the favor,” head coach Gregg Popovich said in a team statement.

Duncan, 43, played his entire 19 season NBA career for the Spurs. For his career, Duncan averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game on 50.6% shooting from the field. Drafted as the 1st overall pick of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Spurs out of Wake Forest, Duncan led the Spurs to win five NBA titles during his playing career alongside great players like David Robinson, Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, and Manu Ginobli. Duncan finished his career making 15 NBA All-Star teams, winning three NBA Finals MVP’s, and two NBA regular season MVP’s. Duncan also recently had his number 21 jersey retired by the Spurs. It is only fitting that Duncan begins his NBA coaching career with San Antonio.

Popovich and Duncan have shared a great deal of respect for one another since Popovich visited Duncan at the Virgin Islands in 1997 for a pre-draft interview.

“We lived on the beach for a few days and we swam and we talked,” Popovich said at Duncan’s retirement ceremony. “From that moment, I knew he was a special individual because he basically talked about everything but basketball. And we’ve been the recipients of that intelligence and that outlook on life since he’s walked in here.”

Spurs legend and future Hall of Famer Tony Parker has declared that he is officially retiring, he told ESPN on Monday.

Parker spent 18 seasons in the NBA, all but one with the San Antonio Spurs. He finished his career with the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018-19 season, opting out of his contract.

“I’m going to retire. … I decided that I’m not going to play basketball anymore,” Parker told ESPN’s The Undefeated.

Parker, 37, is from Lyon, France and made his way to the NBA in 2001 after being drafted 28th overall by the Spurs. Along with Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili created one of the best cores of players a team could ask for, led by head coach Gregg Popovich. Parker won four championships with the Spurs (2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014) and was the NBA Finals MVP in 2007, the first European player in the NBA to win the award.

Parker tweeted, “It’s with a lot of emotion that I retire from basketball, it was an incredible journey! Even in my wildest dreams, I never thought I would live all those unbelievable moments with the NBA and the French National Team. Thank you for everything!”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 – IN MEMORIAM SLIDESHOW 

Parker retires with over 1200 games played, averaging 15.5 points and 5.6 assists a game. The six-time All-Star is built off great leadership. The pillar for Popovich’s team, trusting him to call the right plays and being a general on the court. Ginobili, Duncan and Parker were the faces of the franchise Spurs fans came to love. Duncan from the Virgin Islands, Ginobili from Argentina and Parker from France ran the NBA in the mid 2000s.

Parker told his former teammates of his plan to retire when they were together to play a match of tennis, and reflected on the memories they served together. In his last season with the Hornets, Parker wrote in the Player’s Tribune, “That’s also the beauty of basketball, and of life in a way. How it can become less about the summary of things and more about a collection of moments,” he wrote, according to Texas Monthly. “All of these little things that just sort of sneak up on you and begin to shape you, and eventually, if you’re lucky, even come to define you.”

Here are some Twitter reactions from around the NBA to Parker’s retirement announcement:

The beginning of an ugly breakup between Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs started early last season with a left quad injury. Disagreements about treatment and handling of the star’s tendinopathy eventually led to his appearance in only nine games and none of them after mid-January.

DeRozan Gets Triple-Double, Leonard Gets Booed

Eventually, Leonard, who the Spurs had developed into one of the game’s premier defenders, was traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for fan-favorite player DeMar DeRozan. The two fan bases took grievances with the trade. Toronto felt it had abandoned their star who had just carried the team to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. San Antonio felt that giving into Leonard only brought them back a lower level star with an outdated way of shooting.

Before Leonard’s first appearance back in San Antonio, coach Gregg Popovich pleaded with fans to welcome the old star along with his fellow trade piece and former Spur Danny Green. When introduced, Green received a standing ovation and applause. Leonard was heavily booed.

This continued any time he received the ball during the game. The small forward would score 21 points and dish out five assists. But it was DeRozan who led the way. After declaring in the offseason that he’d drop 50 points the first time he played against Toronto, instead, he scored 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists for the first triple-double of his career. The Spurs routed the Raptors 125-107 off of his performance.

“It really wasn’t nothing,” DeRozan said. “It was fun. It was extremely fun. It wasn’t emotional at all for me. … It was just a fun game for me.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

After the game, Kawhi went to speak with Popovich. The coach said he “felt badly about” how Leonard was treated, including the traitor chants he received. “Kawhi is a high-character guy. We all make decisions in our lives, what we are going to do with our futures, and he has that same right as any of us,” Popovich told the San Antonio Express-News. 

Leonard wasn’t surprised by the reaction. “Media does a great job to stir people’s minds and influence them to think a certain way,” he said. “So I already knew that’s how it was going to be.”

The two teams will meet again, this time in Toronto, on February 22.

A week ago, it seemed as if Kawhi Leonard‘s tenure with the San Antonio Spurs was all but guaranteed to come to an end. The star forward expressed displeasure with the organization due primarily to how they handled his quad injury throughout all of last season and indicated that he wanted to be traded, which we know had to be a huge deal considering how laid back and soft spoken Leonard has shown himself to be since his rise to NBA stardom.

However, the Spurs organization has indicated that they plan on keeping Leonard on their team for the time being, but remain open to trade talks with other teams, according to a statement made by team general manager RC Buford. Buford indicated that, although the team wants Leonard to stay in San Antonio, they “will explore all of our options.”

The Spurs have said that they plan on working with him to make sure both he and the team can work out something on which they can both agree. Buford said on Thursday, “Kawhi and his family mean a lot to our organization and to the community. While none of us would wish we are where we are, we’re going to do what we can to build the best relationship we can with him, and we’ll explore all of our options. But the first one would be to do what we can to keep Kawhi as a part of our group.”

Leonard informed sources that he would optimally like to join the Lakers, whether it be through a trade or a free agent signing when his contract with the Spurs expires in 2019. On Tuesday, he met with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich when Pop made his way to Southern California to meet with his franchise player. While the conversation allegedly went well, Leonard expressed reluctance to meet with his coach under these circumstances.

Nonetheless, the Spurs have indicated that they will talk to other teams so long as they present them with an offer. If Leonard remains staunch on his desire to leave San Antonio following the end of his contract after next season, San Antonio would likely find themselves making a trade deal. For a player of Leonard’s All-NBA caliber, they would likely be able to get something really solid in return. If they don’t trade Leonard and he leaves in free agency, they would get nothing. This story is sure to develop as the summer continues, and we’ll see just how much all of the involved parties’ attitudes change moving forward.