Dejounte Murray was in San Antonio last night with the Hawks. A victorious trip, and the opportunity for Texan journalists to question the franchise's former playmaker about this astonishing sequence, a few days ago, when Gregg Popovich took the microphone to scold the Spurs fans who were booing Kawhi Leonard.
“That’s Pop’s character, that’s what he is.”explained Dejounte Murray at the San Antonio Express-News. “He has great principles and he's just a good guy…Pop shouldn't have to do this.” Fans shouldn't behave like this. Kawhi spent a lot of years here. He helped them win.
Having also requested his transfer, with very harsh words against the Spurs or Tony Parker, Dejounte Murray could also have been targeted by San Antonio fans. But his return had, on the contrary, gone well…
“Fans should go to the game and have fun. I don't think it's necessary to spend money on booing people. You just have to have fun, watch your favorite player and hope your team wins.”
Robert Horry disagree
For his teammate Patty Mills, also a former Spurs player (2011-21), Gregg Popovich's gesture is precisely the incarnation of the culture established for decades at Fort Alamo.
“Pop took a stand…I think it has to do with the culture of the Spurs and the way the Spurs operate” explains the Australian. “These are foundations that were built so long ago. Speaking to the fans, it was just a way to remind everyone what Spurs are.”
However, not all former Spurs are necessarily of the same opinion. In his podcast, Robert Horry (who spent his time at Spurs from 2003 to 2008) above all saw in this gesture an excess of paternalism.
“It's the epitome of elementary school, where you couldn't cheer for your team while an opponent was shooting free throws…It's private elementary school stuff. In the back of my mind, I'm thinking: Is Pop trying to get Kawhi back? Is he trying to get in Kawhi’s good graces? » concludes “Big Shot Rob”.
