Spurs assistant Ettore Messina to lead team while Gregg Popovich rests
The San Antonio Spurs are taking their resting strategy to the next level by resting their head coach Gregg Popovich.
Newly-hired assistant Ettore Messina will lead the Spurs in Popovich's stead. Popovich is reportedly feeling ill, and has decided to skip the Spurs' current preseason roadtrip, as noted by Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.
Messina is a European coaching legend, having won four Euroleague titles. He's slated to appear as the head coach in Thursday's tilt against the Phoenix Suns. In doing so, Messina will become the first person born outside of North America to coach an NBA team.
In addition to Popovich, four Spurs players will miss the trip with minor ailments: Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan.