Even though being traded from the Raptors hit DeMar DeRozan hard—like, that move stung deep—his time with the Spurs was more than just a new chapter. He didn’t just give up, he leveled up as a player and as a person. And a lot of that credit goes to Gregg Popovich, the Spurs’ coach. Pop wasn’t just pushing DeMar to tighten his game; he had his back when it really counted. When DeMar’s dad was seriously sick, Pop made sure he could be there for his family.
DeMar DeRozan got real on The Hoop Collective with Brian Windhorst about how Gregg Popovich came through for him when it mattered most. DeRozan’s father was really struggling. Pop understood that on a different level. DeMar shared how Pop’s words hit home during that rough time: “Just go home. We have shootaround in two days. You don’t have to be at shootaround; just be ready for the game.”
“There were so many games in San Antonio where, in between games, I was not there. I was tending to my dad. He allowed me to do that with no distraction, no nothing,” DeRozan shared. “He told me I didn’t have to worry about the media, and it was the coolest thing because there were so many moments I cherished with my dad during that time that Pop allowed me to do it with no issue at all,”
Pop’s support went way beyond the court—it was all about making sure DeMar could be with his family without any added stress. On top of everything, DeRozan and Popovich had a super emotional moment after DeMar’s dad passed away.
“I’m not leaving until you leave” – Gregg Popovich told DeMar DeRozan after his father’s passing
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When DeRozan got the news about his dad passing, he called Spurs GM Brian Wright to let him know he was catching a flight home. According to DeRozan, Popovich was at his door in just 90 seconds. DeRozan shared how he and Popovich spent about two hours together, both in tears.
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Coach. Athlete. Relationship.
How Gregg Popovich responded when he found out DeMar DeRozan’s father had passed away:
“He stayed with me and cried for two hours. He said I’m not leaving until you leave.” pic.twitter.com/NxmuyAtPyK
— Cody Royle (@codyroyle) July 3, 2024
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“He sat there and cried with me, bro. Like, you feel me? I have never told anybody this story, but that’s who Pop is,” DeRozan shared on the 25/10 Show. This story really shows what kind of guy Pop is. He even said, “I am not leaving until you leave,” showing he truly got how hard DeRozan’s father’s passing hit him. What a man!
The Spurs aren’t keeping him around just for kicks—there’s a reason he’s the oldest coach in the NBA. How can you not appreciate a guy like this? What are your thoughts on him?
