Virtually all of the coaches in the …

Virtually all of the coaches in the race, from Memphis’ Taylor Jenkins to Portland’s Terry Stotts, to Phoenix’s Monty Williams, have been asked about it with the use of Major League Baseball’s “pennant race” as a metaphor. When Popovich got the same question after Friday’s win, he was incredulous. “What? Pennant race? Is this baseball season? What’s the question? Am I enjoying the pennant race? Rudy (Gay, who was walking by), help me. I don’t even know how to answer that. It’s the NBA playoffs.”

The award, named in honor of longtime …

The award, named in honor of longtime NBCA executive director Michael Goldberg, is voted on by the league’s 30 head coaches, with each coach voting for a single winner. Among those who also received votes, sources said: Memphis’ Taylor Jenkins, Indiana’s Nate McMillan, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Boston’s Brad Stevens and the Lakers’ Frank Vogel.

As he began his media availability …

As he began his media availability Thursday, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins opened by calling the late Rep. John Lewis an icon and a hero. With the NBA resuming its season Thursday night in Florida, Jenkins didn’t want it to overshadow the legacy of Lewis, who died this month from pancreatic cancer. So for two minutes, he read a statement from Lewis on the importance of protecting the right to vote.