Spurs coach Gregg Popovich ambushed another player’s post-practice interview following the morning’s workout. Unlike his grilling of Manu Ginobili last week, Popovich stayed on the interviewee’s side of the camera.
He slid an arm around this morning’s victim – George Hill – as reporters began with this question: “Why do you think it is you’ve become Pop’s favorite player?”
“I’m the baby, I’m the young one,” Hill said, with Popovich by his side. “I always ask for him to be hard on me like he was to TP (Tony Parker). (Parker) gives me a lot of stuff for (Pop) not being as hard on me as he was on TP. I’m waiting for that.”
It’s true. Popovich used to treat Parker like his least-favorite dog, as a means of toughening him up. With Hill, by contrast, Popovich often appears one step away from taking him out for ice cream after the game.
“I like him a lot better than I liked Tony at the same age,” Popovich said, still grinning. “That’s why I’m not hard on him.”
After a few more volleys, Popovich left the interview scrum, and left Hill to his own devices. The coach exited, however, on a serious note.
“Watch this guy play,” Popovich said, arm still wrapped around his backup point guard’s shoulders. “Watch him. Especially if you’re a young one, and you want to know how to play – my favorite player is your guy to watch.”
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2009/10/george-hill-pop.html#more