Gregg Popovich influences Spurs, Steph Castle’s draft reflection and trade chatter
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, won Game 3 against the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, fueled by a motivational speech from team president and legendary coach Gregg Popovich before their trip to Madison Square Garden.
- Popovich, who has been mostly in the background due to health issues, made a rare appearance on the Spurs' plane to inspire confidence and belief in the team despite being down 2-0 in the series.
- Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox highlighted the significance of Popovich’s message, which included both a group talk and individual discussions, emphasizing the importance of confidence and resilience.
- Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson praised the team’s strong belief and personality, noting that their confidence has been a key factor in their success throughout the season, despite their youth and previous playoff absence.
- Second-year guard Stephon Castle, who was drafted by the Spurs due to his fit alongside Wembanyama, has proven his value with a strong Game 3 performance, underscoring his importance to the team’s future.