The competition between Mike Budenholzer and Gregg Popovich continues – even in all the playful banter between the coaches and friends.
Budenholzer became head coach of the Hawks three seasons ago after spending 19 years in the Spurs organization under Popovich. He is 0-5 against his mentor in regular-season games. Popovich is not about to take it easy on Budenholzer.
Last month, the Spurs defeated the Hawks 108-88 in San Antonio. It was the second of back-to-back games for the Hawks, who won at the Grizzlies the previous night. It was also the second of back-to-back games for the Spurs and Popovich prepared for the Hawks by resting Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.
The Spurs won going away.
With that as the backdrop, the Spurs came to Atlanta Saturday for the second of back-to-back games a night after defeating the Lakers at home. Against the Lakers, Popovich sat Tony Parker and Ginobili played just five minutes.
“I’m going to stop taking his phone calls,” Budenholzer joked when asked about Popovich’s pattern of resting players before playing the Hawks.
Popovich had an equal retort in jest when asked about the practice.
“Do I do that?” Popovich said. “He’s just paranoid. He coached with me too long. He just assumes that’s what’s going on. He doesn’t really know. He just assumes.”
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