Arrogant Pop in foul mood

NEW JERSEY–San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was in an awful state minutes after the New Jersey Nets eked out a 77-76 decision in Game 4 of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals at the Continental Airlines Arena here Wednesday night (yesterday morning, Manila).

He walked in the press interview room as if looking for a fight. His tie was unloosed at the knot. His shirt was crumpled. He left his coat in the dugout. He sat uneasily behind a huge table in front of media practitioners for the mandatory post-game forum. He would’ve preferred to be elsewhere for sure.

When a reporter asked about his thoughts for the rest of the series, Popovich snapped back, "I’m not a prognosticator. I don’t have a crystal ball. I don’t know what the hell is going to happen."

Then, another reporter wondered why Steve Kerr has hardly been used in the Finals? That triggered an unjustified outburst. "I’ve got to answer that, right?" said Popovich rudely. "Because I decided to do something else." The curt reply was uncalled for. Popovich shook his head as if to belittle the reporter and said "sh*t" into the microphone. He also blasphemed and said, "Jesus Christ" in disgust.

French broadcaster George Eddy, listening to Popovich on a TV monitor, blurted out an expletive.

I was surprised at Popovich’s lack of class. I knew he chewed out his players in the dressing room at the half of Game 2 and castigated them for their lack of effort. I thought that was his way of trying to motivate the troops. But with his latest display of arrogance in full view of reporters, Popovich showed a dark side that put a taint to his accolade as the league’s Coach of the Year.

Understandably, Popovich was sore. Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen and Malik Rose shot a combined 3-of-30. For the game, the Spurs hit an atrocious 28.9 percent from the floor.

"Shooting was a little bit of a problem," said Popovich. "Four of our top six guys were 3-of-30 something and that’s going to be tough to win a game if you perform that way."

Popovich referred to the loss as the Spurs’ "demise." It seemed like he had buried his players alive without the benefit of an honorable funeral.

What Popovich refused to appreciate was the fact that despite shooting blanks most of the way, the Spurs had a chance to send it into overtime if Manu Ginobili hit his final trey.

Popovich said, "At this point, you’re not very interested in any sort of moral victory or silver linings. It’s a W or it’s an L. There were things we could have taken care of during the game that we did not and they came up with the win."

No pat on the back from Popovich. He couldn’t care less that the Spurs could’ve won Game 2 if Stephen Jackson knocked down his triple attempt at the buzzer and Game 4 could’ve gone into extension. He couldn’t care less that with the right breaks, the series would’ve been over. No consolations for Popovich. The bottom line is the series is tied at two wins apiece and it’s down to a best-of-3 affair.

Popovich coached poorly in Game 4. He threw a 3-2 zone late in the fourth period but didn’t stick with it, shifting to a man defense down the stretch. The zone worked like a charm in Game 3. Why Popovich didn’t use it much in Game 4 was a puzzler. Maybe, it was because Parker sat on the bench too long and his reliever Speedy Claxton wasn’t too familiar with the zone. Whatever, Popovich’s adjustments didn’t get the job done.

For a while, the Spurs threatened to pull away after Popovich’s shock troopers responded to the call with Tim Duncan and David Robinson in foul trouble. Somehow, the relievers couldn’t sustain the momentum and in the end, the Nets had a little more energy to stay on top.

Popovich lost the respect of a lot of reporters yesterday. It’ll be difficult to win back their respect. If Popovich is on his best behavior from Game 5 to the end of the series, maybe he’ll regain some of his luster. But that’s a big maybe.