Deadspin: Gregg Popovich’s postgame conference hijacked

Jan. 3, 2013; New York, NY, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) speaks with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on the sidelines against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Because its New York City, we shouldn’t be too surprised that a group of average joes were able to bypass security and partake in Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s postgame presser following a 83-100 loss. (The group, receiving courtside seats from a friend, didn’t have credentials of course.)

Oh, wait. That’s crazy. Nevermind.

The poorly handled situation — since when can anybody be allowed unadulterated access? — was reported by Deadspin.com. The group, with the help of alcohol, even had the audacity to ask Popovich a question regarding their favorite player, J.R. Smith, who had scored 20 points and made this ridiculous play in the Knicks victory. Amazingly, Popovich answered — and without any snark, too!

Via Isaac Rauch of Deadspin (video on the link):

J.R Smith had a solid game tonight—20 points, lotta minutes—did you guys have a strategy defending him, coming into the night?

“Whatever we planned didn’t work. [Terrifying pause.] He’s a scorer. He’s a good scorer. Heck of an offensive player. He’s playing much harder, defensively, than he has in the past, so he’s buying Mike’s message.”

This also happened to be the very game in which Stephen Jackson injured his right ankle after colliding with a waitress serving New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Really, anything goes in New York.

Hat-tip to Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News.