LOS ANGELES – San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich staged an impromptu mid-game intervention Wednesday as disgruntled Spurs fans targeted former player Kawhi Leonard during the team’s home game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Clippers ace Leonard, who made an acrimonious departure from San Antonio in 2018, was subjected to loud booing as he lined up to take free throws near the end of the second quarter in San Antonio.
The heckling drew the ire of San Antonio’s famously gruff veteran coach Popovich, who grabbed a courtside microphone to address the home fans directly.
“Excuse me for a second, please stop all the booing, let these guys play, and show a little class,” Popovich barked.
“It’s not who we are. Knock off the booing.”
Popovich was reluctant to expand on the incident after the game, saying simply that he did not want Leonard to be motivated by his detractors in the stands.
“You don’t poke the bear,” Popovich said. “Anybody who knows anything about sports knows you don’t poke the bear. That’s my answer.”
Leonard later brushed off the catcalls, saying it was to be expected.
“If I don’t have a Spurs jersey on they’re probably gonna boo me for the rest of my career,” he told reporters after the game.