The San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors have been the two-best teams in the Western Conference over the past three seasons. That’s not really disputable.
Though, the two teams share an admiration for one another. There’s a certain level of respect, something we don’t see in other rivalries around the sports world.
It starts with sidelined Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs. It’s pretty much a pupil, teacher relationship dating back to Kerr’s playing days with San Antonio under Pop.
This doesn’t mean that two teams don’t attempt to throw shade the other’s way. As lighthearted as it might have been, acting Warriors head coach Mike Brown just recently said that he could beat up his close friend.
Mike Brown asked if there was an intimidation factor facing Gregg Popovich (his close friend): "I think I could beat Pop up. He's like 70."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 12, 2017
True to form and with his natural dry humor, Pop himself responded on Saturday.
Popovich's response to Mike Brown saying he could take him #Spurs #Warriors pic.twitter.com/xhurlpfH7R
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) May 13, 2017
Notice how the reporters are trying to get a quote out of Popovich here? He really wasn’t having any of it. Though, the head coach seemed a bit taken back that his friend thinks he’s 70 years old, not 68.
If this is the extent of the trash-talking we’re going to see in the Western Conference Finals, there’s a good chance the series will be very family friendly.
The Warriors and Spurs open up the series with Game 1 in Oakland on Sunday.