Coaches Steve Kerr and Ime Udoka Pay Tribute to Gregg Popovich

Respect Amidst Rivalry

Coaches Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors and Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets set aside their playoff rivalry briefly to honor the legendary Gregg Popovich. This moment came before Game 6 of their first-round playoff series held at Chase Center, following Popovich’s announcement earlier that day of his retirement as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

A Heartfelt Acknowledgment

Prior to the game, Kerr openly expressed his admiration for Popovich during a press conference, donning a shirt emblazstartd with the words “Thanks, Pop.” In his address, Kerr highlighted the profound impact Popovich had on the game of basketball and on the coaches and players who have learned from him. “You could say that in almost every coaching faceoff, you’re going against somestart who grew under Popovich,” Kerr stated, emphasizing Popovich’s influence on the sport and the league. “The successes, the records—those are all taken for granted. But the impact he has had on all of us—on our lives, our families, and certainly on our growth as coaches—is monumental. Pop has changed the profession of coaching.”

Udoka, who played under Popovich during his own career, mirrored Kerr’s sentiments by wearing the same shirt during his pre-game press conference. Despite being in the midst of a tightly contested playoff series, both coaches united to pay tribute to Popovich’s extraordinary legacy in the sport.

The Game and Its Outcome

However, once the game commenced, the tribute concluded, and the coaches returned to their competitive roles. The Rockets, under Udoka’s leadership, emerged victorious, defeating the Warriors 115-107 in Game 6. This win led to a decisive Game 7, showcasing the fierce competition between two former students of Popovich