The NBA on TNT crew joined the rest of the NBA world is mourning the loss of Gregg Popovich’s wife, Erin, on Wednesday night. As part of their reflection, Shaquille O’Neal told a story about the one time he ever disrespected the Spurs coach — and what his stepfather quickly told him.
(O’Neal’s story starts at about the two-minute mark)
One time me and Pop had a little altercation, and you know my father’s a military man (like Popovich), and he called me right away and said don’t you ever disrespect Pop again. He told me a story, story goes like this: I was in San Antonio in 1989, couldn’t afford a pair of 18/19 shoes. My father drove over to the Spurs, him and Pop hit it off right away, Pop gave him a couple pairs of shoes, my father brought them back to the house. So Pop, I’m praying for you brother. I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
(Thanks to Awful Announcing for bringing this to our attention)