Popovich Pays tribute to Craig Sager
On Sunday, TNT made the perfect choice to fill in for sideline reporter Craig Sager. They went with his son Craig Jr.
The result was touching, most of all for his father, who will miss the NBA playoffs this year as he undergoes treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. His outfit was a little more subdued than his dad’s, but the ponytail helped make up for that. And, to boot, there was a sideline interview with San Atonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich, with whom his dad has had a number of memorable encounters. This one was especially nice, though, with the Spurs occasionally irascible coach message during the Spurs-Dallas Mavericks game. We miss you, Popovich said into the camera. You’ve been an important part of all of this for a long time doing a great job. We want your fanny back on the court and I promise I’ll be nice. Get back here. Good luck.
Sager said he is aware of all the tributes, including his Turner Sports colleagues Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Steve Kerr, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith dressing up in Sager-like outfits. He does not use Twitter because he feels it would violate his relationship with players and coaches, but his family has sent him messages from the social media service. He also has seen the well wishes from players such as the Heat's LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and coaches such as Miami's Erik Spoelstra, Washington's Randy Wittman and, of course, Popovich. After the Spurs' coach told Sager Jr. that he did a great job during their exchange between the third and fourth quarters of San Antonio's 90-85 victory over Dallas in Game 1 of a first-round series, Popovich said, but I'd rather have your dad standing here. He then turned to the camera and shared this message for his father: Craig, we miss you. You've been an important part of all this for a long time, doing a great job. We want your fanny back on the court, and I promise I'll be nice. Get back here. Good luck.
Sager’s leukemia was announced by his son on Twitter on Thursday night and Sager released a statement Friday night: My favorite time of year city to city, round by round, 40 games in 40 nights. A dramatic turn has matched me with acute myeloid leukemia. From the sidelines to being sidelined, 40 veins and 40 electrolytes. Too bad, I had some probing questions for Pop.
On Sunday, TNT made the perfect choice to fill in for sideline reporter Craig Sager. They went with his son Craig Jr.
Sager said he is aware of all the tributes, including his Turner Sports colleagues Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Steve Kerr, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith dressing up in Sager-like outfits. He does not use Twitter because he feels it would violate his relationship with players and coaches, but his family has sent him messages from the social media service. He also has seen the well wishes from players such as the Heat's LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and coaches such as Miami's Erik Spoelstra, Washington's Randy Wittman and, of course, Popovich. After the Spurs' coach told Sager Jr. that he did a great job during their exchange between the third and fourth quarters of San Antonio's 90-85 victory over Dallas in Game 1 of a first-round series, Popovich said, but I'd rather have your dad standing here. He then turned to the camera and shared this message for his father: Craig, we miss you. You've been an important part of all this for a long time, doing a great job. We want your fanny back on the court, and I promise I'll be nice. Get back here. Good luck.
Sager’s leukemia was announced by his son on Twitter on Thursday night and Sager released a statement Friday night: My favorite time of year city to city, round by round, 40 games in 40 nights. A dramatic turn has matched me with acute myeloid leukemia. From the sidelines to being sidelined, 40 veins and 40 electrolytes. Too bad, I had some probing questions for Pop.