A couple of solid games for the two former Irish players.
Notre Dame’s two NBA representatives turned in some fine performances during the past week. While they didn’t happen concurrently with each other, they still happened.
After six-point showings on back-to-back nights, [autotag]Pat Connaughton[/autotag] delivered his scoring and rebounding high for the young season with 10 points and seven boards Nov. 16 against the Charlotte Hornets. It also was his fifth consecutive game with exactly two assists.
Over three games for the past week, Connaughton averaged 7.3 points and 4.7 rebounds a game. This was despite shooting 36.4% from the field.
[autotag]Blake Wesley[/autotag] turned in a couple of scoreless performances during the week. However, he did have 10 points and two assists in a Nov. 13 win over the Washington Wizards. For his four games during the week, he achieved a scoring average to 4.0 and an assist average to 1.0.
You might be curious how about how these two players looked over the course of the week. Well, here they are:
Gregg Popovich is going through some things today.
The longtime Spurs head coach hasn’t been able to coach the team over the last few weeks because of a previously undisclosed medical condition.
On Wednesday, the Spurs put out a statement giving us more detail on what’s going on with Popovich. He apparently suffered a mild stroke earlier this month and is currently on the road to recovery, according to the team. He’s already begun the rehabilitation process. There’s no timetable on when he might return.
If you’re a fan of the NBA in any sense, Popovich probably means a lot to you. Not only has he been the league’s best head coach, but he’s also been a positive presence in our lives through the years.
With that in mind, it’s as good a time as ever to reflect on some of the best moments we’ve seen from Popovich through the last few years.
That time he pranked Shaq
Pop hasn’t always seemed like the most playful coach out there, but that’s always been in him. Exhibit A is the time he pranked Shaquille O’Neal by fouling him as soon as the game started after he complained about the Hack-a-Shaq strategy.
This guy, man.
His pre-Game 7 interview
One of the best things about Popovich throughout his career so far has been his brutal honesty. He’s never held his tongue.
When asked about the prospect of playing against the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the 2012-13 NBA Finals, he told us that it sucked.
And, yeah, it probably did!
When asked about the message he wanted to send to his team before playing in Game 7. Here’s what he had to say:
“I want them to have no fun whatsoever. This is all business. There’s no eighth game, is there? This is the last game. That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”
He also called having to play the game “torture.” He added, “It’s hard to appreciate or enjoy torture.”
Never change, Pop.
That time he geeked out about planets
There are certainly times when we take basketball — and sports, overall — way too seriously. Pop was there to make sure that never happened.
Basketball doesn’t matter in the context of NASA discovering 1,200 habitable planets.
His interview with Craig Sager
This is just such an awesome moment. Craig Sager had been hospitalized and battling Leukemia for months.
When Sager was finally able to return to work and do sideline interviews again, Popovich made sure to let him know how much he missed him and how it was an honor to be able to work alongside him again — even if he hated that part of his job.
“I’ve got to honestly tell you, this is the first time I’ve enjoyed doing this ridiculous interview we’re required to do. And it’s because you’re here and you’re back with us,” he said.
A class act.
This awesome moment between Pop and Tim Duncan
Popovich has never hesitated to give Tim Duncan all the credit for his success as a coach. No matter how good he was at X’s and O’s or managing personalities or any of the other duties that come with coaching, Pop knew that having an all-time great by his side was what made the biggest difference.
So being able to get even a small glimpse into their relationship was always awesome. This moment after a tough loss says it all.
That’s awesome.
Becky Hammon’s Hall of Fame speech
This moment isn’t a Pop moment — it’s a Becky Hammon moment. But the fact that she was more than willing to take a chunk of the biggest moment of her basketball career — being enshrined into the Hall of Fame — to show Pop a little love shows you exactly the sort of person he is to the people he works with.
Get well soon, Pop. There are a lot of people out there rooting for you.
San Antonio would end up with two of the best freshmen in the NCAA.
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most interesting teams in the league due to Victor Wembanyama, and it will only get more fascinating.
San Antonio currently has two projected lottery picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, which could help them continue to retool around Wembanyama after picking Stephon Castle in the 2024 NBA Draft.
“Knueppel’s ability to shoot off screens, pull up off the dribble and spot up from deep vantage points with picture-perfect footwork and mechanics should keep him prominent in draft conversations, especially with the way he has contributed in other areas as well with his physicality, feel for the game and better-than-expected shot creation and defense.”
They also added that Knueppel is “arguably the best shooter” in this draft class.
Read more from them on Demin:
“Few freshmen have been more impressive than Demin, who is utilizing a tremendous platform at BYU to showcase his outstanding size, spectacular court vision, shotmaking prowess and all-around talent against, thus far, lower-level competition.”
Demin has looked fantastic as a tall playmaker for BYU, and he could provide a spark as the point guard of the future for San Antonio.
Harrison Ingram’s second professional basketball game saw him record a double-double.
How much do you miss watching Harrison Ingram play basketball for our beloved North Carolina Tar Heels?
Ingram was arguably the greatest transfer portal addition of Hubert Davis’ head coaching career, giving UNC an explosive stretch four who kept defenses guessing. Ingram was a double-double machine at North Carolina – not quite like Armando Bacot, but he helped give opposing defenses a headache.
When the 2024 NBA Draft rolled around, Ingram was lucky to hear his name called by the San Antonio Spurs. Ingram is currently on a 2-way contract – and is playing with the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s G-League affiliate.
Already in his second game with Austin, Ingram is making quite the impact. Ingram recorded a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double in the Baby Spurs’ 122-120 victory over the Osceola Magic on Sunday, Nov. 10.
Ingram’s 13 rebounds were the most amongst his teammates, while his 35 minutes played were tied with Malachi Flynn for most. Ingram didn’t have the best shooting day, making just 4-of-13 shot attempts, but he converted on 4-of-5 free throw attempts.
North Carolina was in desperate need of a power forward ahead of the 2023-2024 college basketball season, as Pete Nance left for the NBA after a disappointing year. Hubert went out and aced UNC’s need, nabbing Ingram from now-ACC program Stanford.
Ingram tallied 11 double-doubles as a Tar Heel, with his final one coming in the regular-season finale at Duke, helping the Tar Heels complete a regular-season sweep of their archrivals.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
How did the two former Irish players do this past week?
[autotag]Blake Wesley[/autotag] didn’t play in the San Antonio Spurs’ first game this past week. He more than made up for that though with his best game of this young season Nov. 7.
In a win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Wesley made all four field-goal attempts and both free throws he attempted for 10 points, his first double-digit scoring game of the season. He also dished out a game-high eight assists. Those aided a week in which he averaged 6.7 points and 4.0 assists a game.
[autotag]Pat Connaughton[/autotag] had his best game so far this season in the Milwaukee Bucks’ Nov. 4 loss to the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers. He scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds, had five assists and recorded his first two steals of the season. That allowed him to average 4.8 points and 2.5 assists a game for the week.
Here are photos of Notre Dame’s two NBA representatives in action over the past week:
Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win’s basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Have feedback for the Layup Lines Crew? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey. Now, here’s Prince J. Grimes.
What’s up, hoops fans. I hope everyone’s been able to unplug a little on this unordinary Wednesday where that might not be the easiest thing to do.
We actually do have a fantastic slate of hoops coming up this evening to help with that, including a fascinating rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals between the one-loss Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics. Definitely looking forward to that one.
But before we get to the hoops, I have to admit, it’s hard to go through the day without thinking about Gregg Popovich. Coach Pop, 75, missed the San Antonio Spurs’ last two games after suffering a health issue Saturday, and he’ll remain out indefinitely, as the Spurs declined to provide a timeline for his return.
The latest on that front didn’t do much in the way of relief, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday on NBA Today there was a “great level of concern around the situation.” And San Antonio Express-News columnist Mike Finger pointed out how differently this absence is being treated than Popovich’s previous stints away from the team.
"There is a great level of concern around the situation."@ShamsCharania with the latest on Gregg Popovich being out indefinitely after suffering a health issue Saturday. pic.twitter.com/FXePQNlu1M
It’s obviously too soon to jump to any conclusions, and we can take comfort in interim coach Mitch Johnson saying Popovich will be OK. But today especially feels like a good time to send thoughts and well wishes to Popovich. For one, because it’s the human thing to do. But also because Popovich always seems to have us in his thoughts, with a big emphasis on “US.”
Pop has never been shy about using his platform to speak about the most pressing issues facing our country. Even when it hasn’t been the most beneficial for him to do so, he’s delivered strong messages on social issues in times we’ve seemed most divided — like we do today. Popovich frequently uses his voice to speak for people whose voices can’t reach the places his can. Even if that means sparring with the former and future president.
Popovich is about as accomplished as any coach can be on the hardwood. But he also just seems to be a man of great character away from the game. So, today, as the Spurs get set to play their third game without him, let’s keep Popovich in our thoughts. Because he always has us in his.
The NBA suspended Joel Embiid three games for Saturday’s locker room altercation with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes that turned physical, the league announced Tuesday.
Embiid shoved Hayes after confronting him over a column he took offense to for mentioning Embiid’s late brother and son.
Although I believe the confrontation was predictable considering the personal nature of the column, the suspension was as well. Players can’t go around putting their hands on members of the media.
With that said, I am curious about what the suspension accomplishes, if anything. Because, just to say the loud part out loud, Embiid wasn’t playing anyway. How do you go about suspending someone who isn’t exactly trying to play?
I guess it’s three fewer game checks for Embiid, which, OK. But I’m sure his pockets will be fine. In the way of time missed, I don’t think this actually hurts him at all. If anything, the Sixers will just implement the suspension into his recovery plans.
The Athletic‘s Sam Amick reported before the suspension there was hope Embiid could play as soon as today against the Clippers. But that wasn’t set in stone. The suspension just allows them to take a more patient approach and wait until next Tuesday’s game against the Knicks.
At 1-5, I’m not sure how much patience the Sixers can actually afford to have. But something tells me they aren’t complaining much about getting to sit the guy they were already sitting to begin with.
Shootaround
— Who let off a gnarly fart on the Spurs’ bench? FTW investigates
Somebody on the Spurs needs to watch what they’re eating, man.
Welcome to Fartgate, folks.
Spurs players were visibly upset by the bench ahead of their game against the Clippers on Monday. What was wrong? It looks like somebody let off one of those rotten egg farts that are likely to ruin your entire day once it hits your nose.
I can’t confirm that was the smell, obviously, considering that I wasn’t there. But judging by the way Victor Wembanyama covered his nose with his shirt and how Chris Paul walked away visibly angry, one can assume that this was a pretty funky one.
We saw who smelt it. Now, we need to figure out who dealt it. I’ve got four suspects, ranked from the least likely to most.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
1. Victor Wembanyama is definitely innocent
Wembanyama was the first one who seemed to smell the fart. And you know what they say? He who smelt it, dealt it. Generally, I think that’s a fair rule.
But look at the disgust on this man’s face as he covers his nose with his shirt.
I think this is an innocent man.
2. Chris Paul is too mad to be guilty
We’ve seen Chris Paul upset before, but I don’t know if we’ve seen him this upset in a while.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Paul might just be that kind of guy! But I just don’t see it here.
3. Silent but deadly from Julian Champagnie?
Ok. So here’s where things get really interesting. Julian Champagnie is clearly in the vicinity of the fart — let’s call it the Blast Zone.
HMMMM. CURIOUS.
There’s a chance he might be that awkward person who doesn’t react to funky farts because he doesn’t want to put anyone on blast.
There’s also a chance that he’s the one who let it rip. He’d be the prime suspect if not for this next guy.
4. Jeremy Sochan is too frolicky for it not to be him
It’s definitely Sochan. Just look at his face. He’s laughing while walking out of a cloud of nuclear gas.
Not only is he the farter here, but he’s also one of those dudes who think all of his farts are funny. Those are the worst kind of farters. They’re the sort of people who take pleasure in robbing you of one of your senses for the next five minutes because their flatulence just fried your nose. It’s awful.
I could be wrong here. But I think it’s pretty clearly Sochan. We’ll probably never know. I just hope everyone’s nose is OK after this.
Mitch Johnson will serve as the interim coach of the Spurs.
Gregg Popovich will unfortunately miss some time as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs before an upcoming road trip.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the head coach “suffered a health issue” before a recent game. He will miss an indefinite period, including upcoming games against the Clippers and and the Rockets.
Mitch Johnson, an assistant coach for the Spurs, will take over as the interim head coach as the 75-year-old Popovich recovers from what is currently an undisclosed illness. He is reportedly “OK” but “just needs rest” at this point, per Tom Osborn.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich suffered a health issue before Saturday’s game and assistant Mitch Johnson is expected to be the interim head coach for indefinite period, including Monday vs. Clippers and Wednesday vs. Rockets, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/qqdDtyc2GJ
Johnson spoke about the responsibility before he filled in for Popovich on Saturday (via NBA.com):
“He’s not feeling well,” Johnson said. “This has happened before. I think everybody’s just always got to be ready for the next man up. We’ve had it with injuries and sometimes people get sick or don’t feel well or things come up in life. He’s just not feeling well.”
Popovich is a five-time NBA champion and three-time NBA Coach of the Year.
Not the best week for the former Notre Dame players.
After winning their first game, [autotag]Pat Connaughton[/autotag] and the Milwaukee Bucks have lost every game since. Connaughton tried to play his part with five points and two rebounds in an Oct. 30 loss to the defending champion Boston Celtics. But he followed that by shooting 1 of 7 from the field in a three-point, three-rebound, two-assist effort against the Memphis Grizzlies on Halloween. He wound up averaging 2.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists a game over the course of the week.
[autotag]Blake Wesley[/autotag] did not fare much better over the past week with the San Antonio Spurs. He started out all right with five points and two rebounds in just under 13 minutes while losing Oct. 30 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. But he played only half that number of minutes over the next two games combined and didn’t register a single meaningful statistic. The result was a scoring average of 2.8 and a rebounding average of 0.8 over the three games.
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.
Victor Wembanyama doesn’t care for Chet Holmgren. At all.
In case you have any doubt about the competitiveness between Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, the young San Antonio Spurs big man seemingly takes few things more seriously than his battles with his peer from Oklahoma City. This dynamic comes into focus again as the Spurs visit the Thunder on Wednesday.
On Wednesday afternoon, ESPN NBA writer Michael C. Wright revealed that Wembanyama actively avoids using Holmgren’s name. He used an example of where Wembanyama was asked a direct question about playing against Holmgren.
In response, Wembanayama just talked about the general matchup with the Thunder without even acknowledging Holmgren. Oh, OK:
