Gregg Popovich Kicked Ahmad Rashad Offstage After Host Interrupted His Hall of Fame Speech

Ahmad Rashad got an earful from Gregg Popovich when the former inadvertently interrupted Popovich’s Hall of Fame speech.

The moment came late into Popovich’s 30-minute monologue at Saturday’s Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. About 20 minutes into his talk, the celebrated Spurs coach began to give another reason for “why I’m standing here,” which he said came down to a single word: “Duh.” He then abruptly left the microphone and began shaking hands with former Spurs stars seated on the dais.

As the music swelled, Rashad entered from the wings. He and the coach arrived at the podium simultaneously, and Popovich immediately sent Rashad packing. “I’m not done! I’m not done,” he shouted into the mic before stepping away to point Rashad off the stage. “I’ve been waiting for this a long time. I’m not done,” Popovich said when he returned to the stand. “I didn’t say ‘Duh’ was the end. I just said there was one word to describe why I’m here and that’s, ‘Duh,' those guys,” he said while indicating the players to his right.

Laughter emanated from the crowd during the incident, and Rashad seemed to take it in stride. After all, Popovich was just being himself. Earlier in the evening, he had credited that trait with his success in the NBA. It’s vital, he said, for coaches to be as real as possible. Players have terrific “bullshit antennae” and can easily see when leaders are not being themselves.

Over his career, Popovich has won five NBA titles and 1,536 regular season and playoff games. Under his tutelage, the Spurs made it to the playoffs a record-tying 22 seasons in a row. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Dwayne Wade, Becky Hammon, and Pau Gasol.