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SAN ANTONIO – The somber mood permeated the Warriors’ morning shootaround with their stoic facial expressions and soft words for obvious reasons. The Warriors mourned the passing of Erin Popovich, the wife of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, an incident that Warriors coach Steve Kerr called “shocking” and “unexpected” after “courageously fighting a battle with some health issues in the last few years.”
Kerr still found a moment to laugh, however, through the grief and agony surrounding the circumstances when the Spurs traded Kerr to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2001.
“He called me up to tell me the news,” Kerr said of Popovich. “He said, ‘I don’t think I can go home because Erin is going to be so mad at me.for trading you.'”
After all, Kerr said that his wife, Margot, and Erin “were close and stayed in touch over the years.” Kerr also observed that “Erin was sort of the balance that Pop needed,” sharing a story Popovich has often told regarding her reaction to his infamously gruff interactions with sideline reporters.
“She kept him in check,” Kerr said, smiling. “She was a wonderful person.”
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All of which make the current circumstances difficult. Beyond grieving over Erin Popovich’s passing on Wednesday night, the Warriors and Spurs enter Game 3 of their first-round series on Thursday with emotions far more serious than how each team responds to the Warriors’ 2-0 series lead. Kerr texted Popovich late Wednesday night, but they will not grieve in person together until later. The Spurs announced that Popovich will not coach in Game 3. Instead, Spurs assistant Ettore Messina will handle those responsibilities.
“One of the great lessons I learned from Pop was to always keep that balance in mind. Even when times are good, you can’t take yourself too seriously,” Kerr said. “You take your job seriously, but not yourself. It’s times like these where that point is driven home. The game is inconsequential. It is in the grand scheme of things. But this is what we do and our livelihood. This is what brings us joy. Players, coaches are all lucky to be out here.”
Kerr also considers himself lucky that Popovich taught him a central lesson that applies to his current grieving process.
“‘Relish the great hand that was dealt to you in this world,'” Kerr repeated Popovich often telling him. “A lot of people are suffering out there. So we have to enjoy our work and game and come out and play and feel the freedom that basketball provides when you’re out there on the floor running around. But you never lose perspective on real life. That’s driven home today.”
Another thing that is driven home: the impact Popovich has made on the NBA community. Kerr called Popovich “the most admired man in the NBA.”
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Numerous former and current NBA starts expressed sympathy, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Warriors guard Klay Thompson added, “We say our condolences to the Spurs family and Popovich family for a terrible loss.” Popovich also has an extensive coaching tree: Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown served as a Spurs assistant (2000-2003) and consultant (2015), while Kerr played for Popovich in two separate stints (1999-2001, 2002-03). The outpouring does not just stem from Popovich winning five NBA championships with the Spurs, though.
“He’s a voice for a lot of people who don’t have one. He’s a very thoughtful man and he has a great mind to him, not just with basketball but with his world views and everything outside of this arena,” Thompson said. “He’s always been great to me since I was a rookie. I know everyone else feels the same way. He’s probably one of the most respected people in the NBA with his mind and his ability to coach.”
Beyond that, Popovich has also spoken out on various social issues involving minorities, women and the less fortunate, and has frequently criticized President Donald Trump for his divisive rhetoric that has offended several of those groups. Popovich is the first NBA coach to have a woman assistant in former WNBA star Becky Hammon (2014-present). Popovich has prioritized acquiring international talent both for competitive and cultural reasons. Popovich also has a worldly perspective stemmed from his time at the Air Force Academy. Because of those qualities, PopovichKerr2020.com was launched last March and subsequently sold various memorabilia typically available for presidential campaigns.
“He’s just an incredible powerful personality. He’s so raw and honest and morally sound. He’s got his convictions that he sticks to, and he doesn’t care what anybody thinks of him,” Kerr said. “Whether you like him or not, I don’t think you can argue that he is a champion for human rights and civil rights and the good in people and not afraid to call out people who are not helping their fellow members of society. I think everybody sees that honesty and that conviction. Whether you played for him or not, that’s easy to see that.”
Kerr wasn’t finished.
“He’s become a voice for the league and a huge figure in the league over the last couple of decades on many fronts,” Kerr said of Popovich. “He’s obviously impacted the league. He’s gotten so many branches of his coaching tree out there. We’re all impacted by the way he’s coached, not just with the X’s and O’s, but his humanity. He treats his players and fellow coaches, maybe not so much sideline reporters. But we give him a pass on that one. Pop is one of the finest human beings I know. He’s made an incredible impact on my life.”
Erin Popovich also has made an incredible impact on Kerr’s life. Therefore, Kerr spoke on behalf of the Warriors in expressing sympathy to Gregg Popovich, his two children and two grandchildren.
“Our whole organization, players and coaches are all thinking about Erin, Pop and Mickey and Jill,” Kerr said. “Pop and Erin had two small grandchildren who loved their Grandma. It’s just sad. It’s sad for all of us. Not a whole lot you can say other, than offering our condolences and support.”
Then again, Kerr did have a lot to say because of his love for the Popovich family, including Erin.
“She was part of the family,” Kerr said. “She has dealt with a lot over the last few years health wise and has been very courageous in her battle. We all grieve and at the same time try to celebrate her life and her legacy.”
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