After a thrilling victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, LeBron James once again etched his name in the history books, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record three consecutive triple-doubles. Given his impressive achievement, it would be understandable if James’ focus was solely on the next challenge: defending the Lakers’ 2023 NBA Cup title. The Lakers are set to begin their NBA Cup campaign on Friday with a group-play game against the San Antonio Spurs.
However, during the postgame press conference, it was evident that James’ thoughts were not solely on the upcoming matchup. Instead, the Lakers star’s mind wandered to his dear friend and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who recently faced a health scare. On November 4, Popovich stepped away from the team indefinitely after suffering a mild stroke, an event that sent ripples of concern throughout the NBA community.
Speaking to reporters, James admitted that he hadn’t started thinking about the Lakers’ game against the Spurs. His attention has been on Popovich, who means a great deal to him both professionally and personally.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James expressed his heartfelt concern for the legendary coach.
“To be honest, I haven’t even thought about it yet,” James said when asked about the upcoming matchup. “I look forward to the game on Friday, obviously. It’s always difficult to win in San Antonio, but for me, there’s much bigger news coming out of San Antonio, and that’s my dear friend Coach Pop.”
James went on to emphasize the importance of Popovich’s health and recovery, saying, “I’ll be thinking heavily about him as I travel there tomorrow, and during the game on Friday, I’m wishing him the best of health. Hopefully, I see him soon. It doesn’t even have to be on the sidelines—hopefully, I just see him soon. That’s what’s most important to me.”
The news of Popovich’s health scare hit close to home for James. Popovich, now 75, suffered the mild stroke on November 2 while at Frost Bank Center, the Spurs’ home arena.
While the prognosis is optimistic and he is expected to make a full recovery, there is no definitive timetable for his return to coaching. For now, the Spurs must navigate the season without their iconic leader on the sidelines.
James and Popovich have a rich shared history, having faced each other three times in the NBA Finals. Those battles forged a deep mutual respect between them—a respect that has blossomed into a genuine friendship over the years. Beyond their on-court rivalry, the two have bonded over a shared passion for the game, as well as their values and leadership both on and off the court.
It’s clear just how much Popovich means to James, not just as an opponent, but as a friend and mentor figure.
As LeBron prepares for Friday’s game against the Spurs, his thoughts will undoubtedly be with Popovich, hoping for his swift recovery and looking forward to seeing him again—whether that be on the sidelines or simply in good health.
The upcoming game against the Spurs will still be a challenge for James and the Lakers, but for now, the focus goes beyond basketball. It’s about the well-being of one of the game’s most respected figures, and James’ comments serve as a reminder of the humanity that underpins the world of professional sports.
For James, his friendship with Popovich transcends the game, and his heartfelt words are a testament to the deep bonds that exist in the basketball community.
