Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was surprised Wednesday to learn NBA referee Joey Crawford would retire at the end of the season.
The 64-year-old Crawford, who has not officiated this season after undergoing knee surgery, made his announcement in the Delaware County (Pennsylvania) Daily Times.
Despite the Spurs’ at-time checkered history with Crawford, easily the NBA’s most famous official, Popovich said the veteran of 39 NBA seasons will be missed.
“Everybody’s got to retire sometime. You and I will too,” Popovich said before the Spurs faced Houston on Saturday. “But you hate to see someone who is that good at his craft not be doing it anymore.