San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich's interviewing skill Saturday night provided another example of why he may never be a spokesman for the NBA.
The headstrong coach talked briefly - very briefly - with ESPN sideline reporter Doris Burke at the end of the first quarter during Game 3 of the Spurs' series with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies led 29-16 after the first quarter, thanks to eight San Antonio turnovers. And in case Burke wasn't watching, Popovich swiftly reminded her of the problem behind the Spurs deficit.
Burke, who has just a minute between quarters for a two-question interview, is a master at keeping her questions concise in the allotted time.
"What happened offensively in that period?" Burke asked Popovich.
"Turnovers," Popovich replied.
"On the defensive end, they (the Grizzlies) had their most productive quarter. What did you see there?" she asked.
"Turnovers," Popovich said again.
Not to be outdone, Burke said, "Verbosity is something he'll never be accused of," as Popovich was walking away. End of interview.
Popovich is a coach who refuses to kowtow to NBA policy if he does not see fit. Early this season, the coach with three championship rings in San Antonio, drew the organization a $250,000 fine for not playing four of his players.
The Spurs were finishing a six-game road trip in November with a game at the defending NBA champions Miami Heat. San Antonio had won all five of its previous road games.
Popovich decided not to rest his three stars, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, as well as guard Danny Green.
In another interview between quarters of a game this season, Popovich chided TNT sideline reporter David Aldridge for using the word "happy."
"You got good ball movement throughout the third quarter," Aldridge said. "How happy were you with the shot selection even though they (the opponent) came back?"
Popovich frowned.
"Happy? Happy's not a word we think about in a game," Popovich retorted. "Think of something different. I don't know how to judge happy."
In another between-quarters interview with Aldridge during an earlier playoff game, Popovich, if not happy, was in a better mood. Aldridge asked just one question in the interview and then ended it.
Popovich said, "Just one question?" and patted Aldridge on the back.
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