2013 NBA Finals Media Day: Gregg Popovich Uses Words That Makes You Think

May 27, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich speaks at a press conference after game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. The Spurs won 93-86. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Though the photo above is that of Gregg Popovich at the Western Conference Finals, today marked the day for all media contingents to talk with the players and coaches for the NBA Finals that will be tipping off Thursday at 8:00 pm Central Standard Time.

So I was sitting at home watching the televised press conference awaiting for the San Antonio Spurs to take the stand.  First up was Gregg Popovich and beside me, a dictionary.  Many know what kind of man Popovich is and if you have listened to his press conference many hang on those words that he uses when he is answering questions.

Today was no different.

Some of the words that I surely was hanging on were: consummate, muddles, neophyte, proliferation, formulae and copacetic.How many of you know the meanings for at least one of these words?  I know muddles but outside of that, I got nothing.  Popovich used one of those words when talking about Tim Duncan:

“Timmy, he’s a consummate pro.”

And when asked about preparing for LeBron James possibly guarding Spurs point guard Tony Parker;

“Whatever is presented is what has to be dealt with. But ahead of time, to think of 50 different scenarios, I think muddles the mind a little bit too much. It’s a basketball game, go play it and see what you’ve got.”

Still on LeBron James.  This about when the San Antonio Spurs played him and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007 Finals:

“That was like ancient history. He was basically a neophyte at the time, wondering how all this stuff worked and how it’s put together.”

Then switching gears in talking about the advancement of stats in the league today:

“I think today we’ve had a proliferation of geniuses who have come up with new formulae to prove what wins and what loses. … So everything being copacetic, maybe shots and making stops on demand wins a lot of games.”

He truly is one-of-a-kind and it is always a treat listening to him talk.