The NBA world was stunned Wednesday with the news that Erin Popovich, the wife of Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich, had died after a long battle with a respiratory illness.
Erin Popovich, 67, had been ill since the 1990s, according to San Antonio’s Express News, and because of it was unable to attend many events with her husband, the site said. The Popoviches had been married for four decades and had two children and two grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced and it’s not known how his wife’s death will affect Popovich’s availability. The Spurs play Golden State in Game 3 of their playoff series Thursday night in San Antonio and the team asked that the media “respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.” Ettore Messina, Popovich’s top assistant, would likely coach in his absence.
“We mourn the loss of Erin,” Spurs General Manager RC Buford said in a statement. “She was a strong, wonderful, kind, intelligent woman who provided love, support and humor to all of us.”
Spurs guard Danny Green added that players were “deeply saddened” and said, “This is the time we have to be there for him.” Green told the Express news that there had been signs that Erin Popovich was growing stronger of late. “This summer, she was just able to travel and I was so happy for him and her to be able to get away.”
Among those who was visibly moved by the news of Erin Popovich’s death was the Cavs’ LeBron James, who was told of it after Cleveland’s Game 2 victory over Indiana of their first-round playoff series.
“I know that’s devastating news … holy s—,” James said. “It’s just a lot. The NBA family, we stick together. I know we compete every night, but something like this happens, and it just puts everything in perspective. … I know the man above never makes a mistake, even when sometimes you have to ask why, but that’s just terrible news, and my best of luck to Pop and everyone in San Antonio and the whole Spurs family.”
[TNT blasted for asking LeBron James for reaction to death of Gregg Popovich’s wife]
Warriors Coach Steve Kerr, whose team was practicing in preparation for Thursday’s game when the news arrived, was reported to be “too stunned” to offer immediate comment. Kerr and Popovich have been close dating back to the late 1990s, when Kerr played for the Popovich’s Spurs.
Golden State forward Kevin Durant also struggled for words, while some other NBA players took to Twitter to express their shock and sadness.
“I want Pop to know that the whole NBA family is supporting him and got his back through it all,” Durant said. “It’s bigger than the game. It’s bigger than winning and losing. It’s about the brotherhood we’ve built with the NBA family. I feel so bad for Pop and his family. That is tough to hear.”
Former president Bill Clinton tweeted his condolences. “Coach Popovich — I join the NBA family and countless fans across the country who are thinking of you, Jill and Micky [their children] tonight as you mourn the loss of your Erin.”
Mike Brown, a Warriors assistant who formerly worked for Popovich with the Spurs, declined to comment and Durant mentioned the friendships that grow out of sports.
“Prayers go out to his family,” Durant said. “Man, that’s tough. This game is a beautiful game and it brings people together. You build friendships from playing the game. You have so much support from so many people that you would never cross paths with if it weren’t for basketball.”
“Terrific Wife and Mother! She fought hard for a long time!! #RIP my Friend!!” Alabama Coach Avery Johnson said of Erin Popovich on Twitter. As with Kerr, Johnson played for, and won an NBA championship with, Gregg Popovich.
Popovich is known for his an irascibility that belies the regard in which he is held. A number of media members, with whom the 69-year-old Popovich has had more than his share of prickly exchanges, offered their condolences. “Beyond heartbroken for Coach Popovich, his immediate family and his Spurs family,” TNT sideline reporter David Aldridge, one of the coach’s frequent foils, said on Twitter. “Blessings to all on your loss.”
In a 2012 radio interview, Popovich acknowledged that he can be difficult with reporters, and he said that his wife frequently called him out for that. “It entertains everybody but my wife,” he said. “When I get home and she says, ‘Jeez, why are you so mean? You’re a jerk, people hate you.’ I go, ‘I’m sorry honey, I have to do better next time.’ ”
Erin Popovich, who was from Colorado Springs, was the daughter of Jim Conboy, who was the Air Force Academy’s athletic trainer for 43 years before his death in 1998. Gregg Popovich is a graduate of the academy and his journey to the Spurs was helped by Erin Popovich’s friendship with the daughter of former Spurs chairman Robert McDermott, a former Air Force general. She urged her father to hire Gregg Popovich as general manager in 1994 after a stint with Golden State. He earlier had been an assistant in San Antonio.
“Life is short, enjoy your loved ones and don’t lose your time hating each other,” the Hornets’ Nicolas Batum said on Twitter. “Prayers and thoughts to Pop and his family.”
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