Before the season opener between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich shared his honest reaction to the Mavericks’ offseason acquisition of Klay Thompson.
“Oh my God, how the hell did they do that?” Popovich exclaimed. “I was probably having a glass of wine somewhere, it wrecked my whole night.”
Gregg Popovich when he found out the Mavs had acquired Klay Thompson:
“Oh my god. How the hell did they do that?..I was probably having a glass of wine somewhere and it wrecked my whole night…” pic.twitter.com/OrCXnKDhmx
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) October 24, 2024
Popovich’s humorous yet genuine response highlights the impact of the Mavericks’ move to add a four-time NBA champion to their roster.
Thompson, who made his debut for the Mavericks in said season opener, should prove Popovich right, as he recorded an impressive performance with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, including setting a franchise record for most three-pointers made in a debut game.
Despite the initial shock, Popovich had nothing but praise for Jason Kidd, the Mavericks’ head coach, acknowledging his effective leadership and the respect he commands from his players.
“He’s done a great job,” Popovich said. “He demands, he’s fair, they respect him. In the NBA, that’s the beginning of success for a head coach.”
As the season progresses, the Mavericks will look to capitalize on their strengthened lineup, while the Spurs continue to build and develop their young team.
