Mike Brown not intimidated by Popovich, jokes he could beat him up
Who's scared of a 70-year-old graybeard?
Golden State Warriors associate head coach Mike Brown brushed aside suggestions that he was afraid of his former boss Thursday, opting instead for a joke at San Antonio Spurs legend Gregg Popovich's expense.
"I think if I was an official I'd be intimidated," Brown told Carl Steward of the San Jose Mercury News. "But nah, I think could beat Pop up. He's like 70."
Popovich is only 68, but the point stands. Brown isn't backing down from his longtime friend in their upcoming Western Conference finals showdown - especially since Brown boasts a significantly more talented roster.
"He's a great coach and he's going to have his guys prepared. But I feel like we have a great team that can more than equal his group," Brown said.
"If I had a team that wasn't capable, then maybe I'd be a little bit worried about it. But he's going to have his team prepared the right way, and hopefully we will be with ours."
Brown is thoroughly familiar with Popovich after spending four seasons as an assistant in San Antonio between 2000 and 2003.