Spurs' Plan vs. 76ers Star Joel Embiid? 'Hammer His (Bleep)!' Jokes Gregg Popovich
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has never been shy about joking around with the media or doing the exact opposite by being stern and short.
He chose the former on Monday prior to San Antonio's game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center (7 p.m. ET tip), as he provided a comical response when asked how the Spurs and rookie Victor Wembanyama plan to defended Sixers star center Joel Embiid.
© Scott Wachter, USA TODAY
"We are going to hammer his (bleep)," Popovich said. "I told Wemby to stick him, put your butt right in his stomach, back him down over the rim and just throw him through the rim. That’s what you can look forward to ... Don’t tell Wemby I said that."
Wembanyama currently leads the league with 3.2 blocks per contest, but Embiid has continued to run rampant through the rest of the NBA. The reigning MVP is averaging a league-best 35.0 points per game, so something has to give when the star-studded rookie matches up against Embiid for the first time.
He'll be facing off tonight against a Spurs team that features his longtime head coach in Philadelphia, as San Antonio assistant Brett Brown will return to Philly where he helped lead the "Trust The Process" era that was spearheaded by general manger Sam Hinkie with the selection of Embiid.
The Spurs (8-34) and Sixers (28-13) tip-off at 7 p.m. ET from Wells Fargo Center.
