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Popovich grabs arena PA mic, tell Spurs crowd to stop booing Kawhi Leonard

San Antonio Spurs v New York Knicks

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 8: Head Coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on November 8, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

This might be the most Gregg Popovich thing ever.

As they have done since he forced his way out of San Antonio, Spurs fans booed Kawhi Leonard every time he touched the ball on Wednesday night. Late in the second quarter against the Clippers, with Leonard at the free throw line and some Spurs fans letting him hear it, Popovich walked over, grabbed the arena PA mic, and told them to shut it.

“That’s not who we are. Knock off the booing.”

According to reports in the arena, this did not work, the boos were louder for the second free throw.

However, those same reports say fans were far more engaged after Pop took the mic. More importantly, the San Antonio players have stayed more engaged and kept it close with Los Angeles into the second half of the game.

This didn’t feel like a strategic play by Popovich, it was more that he still cares about Leonard and has moved on from what happened years ago. That said, it’s professional sports — fans paid good money for those tickets and that gives them the right to boo if they want. Popovich doesn’t have to like it, but if fans aren’t abusive they have the right to say want they want.