Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich:
(On 76ers head coach Brett Brown’s season…)
“He’s doing everything he can. He’s coaching his butt off.”
(When asked if he can relate to Brown’s current coaching situation…)
“I think at some point every coach goes through a situation that requires some fortitude and some stick-to-itevness. It really tests your character. If there’s anybody who can handle that kind of situation it’s Brett Brown.”
(On forward Kawhi Leonard’s progress as a player…)
“Good. He’ll be a heck of a player over time.”
(On the Spurs’ starting five tonight…)
“Same group, I think. Same guys are hurt.
(When asked if forward Tiago Splitter and guard Marco Belinelli will travel with team on the next road trip…)
“I think Belinelli will. I don’t think Tiago will.”
(On the recovery process of guard Patty Mills…)
“Nobody has told me he’s ahead of schedule. He’s right on schedule as far as I know. The poor guy is working every day doing things you don���t want to do. I’m sure he would like to get back as soon as he can.”
(On the longevity of the Spurs’ success over the years and Brett Brown…)
“It does go through my head every year. You wonder if everybody is going to have the juice, are we going to be bored to death with each other, are we tired of the same old drills? I guess it’s a testament to their character. They enjoy the game, they enjoy each other, they come back each year and try to be the best team they can be. Brett (Brown) would know. He was with them a long time. He’s one of the guys, along with Bud (Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer) that established our program when we put everything together. He was central to doing that. He knows what wins, he knows what loses, he knows what needs to be done, and he’s about as tough-minded and upbeat of a guy that I’ve ever been around.”