Craig Sager, otherwise known as the Gregg Popovich whisperer, developed a rapport with the prickly Spurs coach that will perhaps go unmatched by any reporter in history.
So when Sager died Thursday at the age of 65 following a two-year fight with a rare form of leukemia, Popovich devoted his pregame media availability to remembering the life and career of the beloved Turner Sports sideline reporter. He took no other questions.
Here are Popovich's remarks in their entirety, via Fox Sports:
“I guess on a day like this, basketball has to take a back seat as we all think about somebody who was very unique, very special.