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When the San Antonio Spurs pay a visit to the Wells Fargo Center and the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night, they will be carrying with them a seven-game losing streak. A streak that is not synonymous with the Spurs during the Gregg Popovich era.
These aren’t your father’s Spurs. This isn’t the consistent title contender, in wich Sixers coach Brett Brown was a part of, led by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. This Spurs team is led by good players like LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan, but they haven’t been able to lift the Spurs out of their struggles.
Despite all of that, the Sixers are not going to let their guard down for one reason: Popovich is still coaching.
Brown stated at practice when asked about San Antonio’s skid:
I didn’t even know that number. I don’t care what the number is. They’re coahed by Gregg Popovich and I know the large majority of their coaching staff still exists, not as many of the players, and so I don’t even pay attention to it. I really don’t. My fondness and my respect for Pop and my friendship with Pop is extended 2+ decades and I just don’t care what they’ve been doing and if they had won 15 in a row, I’d give you the same answer. All’s I’m doing is looking down there and seeing Pop and the San Antonio Spurs and I know we better bring our A-game or we’re going to be in for a long night.
Brown had been an assistant coach with the Spurs for nine seasons before becoming a head coach in Philadelphia to begin the 2013-14 season. He has seen the success of the Popovich system as the Spurs have made the playoffs for a ridiculous 22 consecutive seasons. They can’t sleep on them.
Al Horford, who has been in the league for now 13 seasons, is shocked to see San Antonio struggling the way they have been to begin the season. He added:
It’s very weird. You’re not used to seeing that.
Tipoff in Philadelphia is set for 8:00 p.m. EST from South Philadelphia. [lawrence-related id=19777,19768,19744]