“Total Fake News”: Gregg Popovich’s Epic Reaction to Spurs Playoff Streak Being Snapped

The Western Conference seeding games are done and dusted. Now, there remain two teams that will battle it out for the #8 seed in the west. Unfortunately, the San Antonio Spurs failed to enter the play-in tournament which means that they will be heading home without entering the playoffs, for the first time since 1997. 

Gregg Popovich took over as the head coach of the Spurs in 1996, shortly after Bob Hill was relieved of his duties. That marked the beginning of an era, that still continues to grace the NBA. Pop and the Spurs have been making their presence felt in the playoffs since 1998, and have won five championships along the way.

But the steak came crashing when the team could not manage a leap to the eighth or the ninth spot in their conference table. A loss to the Jazz in their final game confirmed that the Spurs will not be qualifying for the playoffs. 

Following the loss, Pop sat down for his post-match conference with the reporters. Naturally, he was asked about the streak that just ended. Though the Spurs’ head-coach was expecting the questions to come flying in, the reporters were left speechless by how he initially responded to them. 

“Streak? What are you talking about?” Pop questioned when a reporter asked him if it was a bittersweet feeling. When it was clarified that the Spurs won’t be making it to the postseason for the first time in 22 years, Pop bluntly said, “It doesn’t enter my mind!” 

However, the 71-year-old legendary coach could not hold back his laughter, even though he was wearing a mask. “I’m just screwing with you guys,” he joked, much to the relief of everyone. 

The San Antonio Spurs impressed Gregg Popovich with their bubble performance

Coming into the bubble, the Spurs had a minute chance of making it to the playoffs. Unless they were to pull off a miracle by winning eight straight games, it was always a tough chance for the 5x champions. 

“Looking at the past doesn’t do much good,” Pop continued in his press conference. “Any success we’ve had is because we’ve had some great players.” Moreover, he mentioned how the streak did not affect him in any way when the team entered the bubble. 

“That’s fake news,” Pop said. “That’s total fake news! Lots of guys have been telling me the streak hasn’t ended! I talk to people all the time. They call me. They tell me, ‘Pop, the streak didn’t end! It didn’t end!'”