Minnesota Sports Forum

I can see where Cool comes from saying Pop seems like a phony now. I'm not sure what happened but around 2 years ago something flipped with Pop he started joking around showing a legit sense of humor and I think it started before Sager had cancer but maybe not. Maybe that was the thing that made Pop Change a bit idk. Something happened and the guy is still Pop and yet he seems to be enjoying himself more he certainly is more entertaining.

As for his political stuff...Jon K brings this up all the time on his podcast with Souhan that the NBA is so much more supportive of their players speaking out and all that type of thing than any of the other major sports. Personally I have resonated with some of the stuff Pop and Kerr have said. Some people won't like it. I get where Lip is coming from I won't disagree too much with that but again there has been times I thought Pop's comments on some of the stuff that's been going on in this country were very well put. We won't agree on that but that's ok. We probably don't want to get into that on this forum but IMHO we need to be willing to listen to each other to have a conversation and have empathy and try to really understand each other and where we come from.

longstrangetrip wrote:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/popovich-game-show-trump_us_59190a7ae4b0031e737ea037?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

Oh, Oh...Cool's not going to like this clip of Pop talking about the president. While I tend to agree with Pop here, I'm mixed on the appropriateness of a coach spending so much time on politics after a playoff loss. Seems a little odd, but Pop's gonna be Pop.

By the way, did anyone know he was an intelligence officer in Eastern Europe for five years after graduating from college?

And see, i don't like the way Pop conducts HIMSELF. He's often boorish and arrogant. Yet Donald Trump is never going to rip Pop at a press conference. Yet Pop uses his celebrity to tout his political agenda, taking potshots at the POTUS when he feels the urge. You're a damn good basketball coach, but your political views are meaningless to me. They don't carry any more weigth than the reporter you embarrass routinely.

Q12543 wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/popovich-game-show-trump_us_59190a7ae4b0031e737ea037?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

Oh, Oh...Cool's not going to like this clip of Pop talking about the president. While I tend to agree with Pop here, I'm mixed on the appropriateness of a coach spending so much time on politics after a playoff loss. Seems a little odd, but Pop's gonna be Pop.

By the way, did anyone know he was an intelligence officer in Eastern Europe for five years after graduating from college?

I'm with Cool on this one. I think the thing that bugs me about it is that there is absolutely nothing novel about what he is saying. The vast majority of the media, all of Hollywood (e.g. the late night shows), and most major news organizations' editorial sections are doing a fine job pillorying Donald Trump.

If he is going to venture outside the world of basketball, perhaps he should use his considerable reputation to point out injustices or needs that aren't getting the attention they deserve. Raking Donald Trump over the coals is almost passe at this point, and frankly, beneath someone that has built such an enduring organization and legacy.

One other thing and then I'm done......The vast majority of the people that voted for Trump - and I was not one of them - knew full well about his flaws. They wanted to throw the proverbial brick through the window to send a message to Washington. The sooner establishment types on both sides of the aisle come to terms with this, the easier it will be for them to accept the results and figure out what changes need to be made moving forward.

OK, back to debates on the merits of standing reach vs. wingspan!

Post of the year material here. Your last paragraph is simply the truth and I wish all americans would get on board with it.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/popovich-game-show-trump_us_59190a7ae4b0031e737ea037?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

Oh, Oh...Cool's not going to like this clip of Pop talking about the president. While I tend to agree with Pop here, I'm mixed on the appropriateness of a coach spending so much time on politics after a playoff loss. Seems a little odd, but Pop's gonna be Pop.

By the way, did anyone know he was an intelligence officer in Eastern Europe for five years after graduating from college?

And see, i don't like the way Pop conducts HIMSELF. He's often boorish and arrogant. Yet Donald Trump is never going to rip Pop at a press conference. Yet Pop uses his celebrity to tout his political agenda, taking potshots at the POTUS when he feels the urge. You're a damn good basketball coach, but your political views are meaningless to me. They don't carry any more weigth than the reporter you embarrass routinely.

Cool -- I agree with you completely!! I'm not a Trump fan, but while Pop certainly has the right to pop off on his political views, I think he should refrain from using his sports celebrity platform to express those views. And it does seem a little like the pot calling the kettle. As you suggested, Pop rivals Trump on the boorishness/arrogance scale.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/popovich-game-show-trump_us_59190a7ae4b0031e737ea037?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

Oh, Oh...Cool's not going to like this clip of Pop talking about the president. While I tend to agree with Pop here, I'm mixed on the appropriateness of a coach spending so much time on politics after a playoff loss. Seems a little odd, but Pop's gonna be Pop.

By the way, did anyone know he was an intelligence officer in Eastern Europe for five years after graduating from college?

And see, i don't like the way Pop conducts HIMSELF. He's often boorish and arrogant. Yet Donald Trump is never going to rip Pop at a press conference. Yet Pop uses his celebrity to tout his political agenda, taking potshots at the POTUS when he feels the urge. You're a damn good basketball coach, but your political views are meaningless to me. They don't carry any more weigth than the reporter you embarrass routinely.

1. I think many have been let in on the joke by now that Popovich's act is largely tongue-in-cheek. But there are moments when it doesn't seem like it... and he probably gets more leeway than he should with it. So, I can see it as fair criticism with him being boorish at times.

2. Donald Trump himself destroys any "Stick to sports/acting/modeling/writing/dancing/pencil-pushing and stay out of politics" arguments. He used his clout as a media/tv personality, branding maven and businessman to opine about things outside his perceived scope for many years. It laid the foundation for him becoming president. While I personally don't see why a coach's or actor's thoughts are more important than my own... I understand why they use their pulpit. After all, it's only fair game. Is President Popovich really that unthinkable if you think back 8 years and consider a certain host of a reality tv show as president?

Interesting stat I just saw on ESPN that demonstrates Leonard's greatness.

Percentage of contested shots yesterday with Leonard on the floor: 54%

Percentage of contested shots with him out: 19%


That is truly extraordinary.

I believe Zaza did that to Kawaii on purpose, he has done shady shit his whole career like that

A 2 point game at the half! Each team giving their all to have the chance at having their shit pushed in by Lebron

Why is Wall quitting on these defensive possessions? Strange

Shooting out of the PG and PF positions. I'd love to know what that looks like for the wolves. Big weakness for us, needs to change.