NBA coach Gregg Popovich exploits transsexual extremist's school shooting as opportunity to condemn Republicans and the 'myth' of the Second Amendment



Leftist NBA coach Gregg Popovich, whose San Antonio Spurs have 22 wins and 60 losses in the 2022-2023 season, has been silent on the question of whether he will soon retire. Over the weekend, he managed to leave some fans hoping his exit will come sooner rather than later.

Popovich, 74, launched into a vitriolic rant about gun control during a pregame media availability Sunday, in which he denounced Republican lawmakers and invoked the March massacre of six Christians by a transsexual extremist in a Nashville school.

Dodging inquiries about whether he might retire in the off season, Popovich asked if anyone in the room was carrying a firearm, reported ESPN.

"I just wondered because we have a governor and lieutenant governor and an attorney general that made it easier to have more guns," said Popovich, allegedly in reference to Texas politicians. "That was a response to our kids getting murdered. I just thought that was a little bit strange decision. It's just me, though."

The geriatric coach, who has gone 3-7 in his past 10 games, condemned Republicans in Texas and Tennessee and further denounced the expulsion of Democratic Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson from the Tennessee House.

Popovich intimated that the lawmakers who expelled Jones and Pearson over their disruption of the Democratic process were racists who "deep in their soul want to go back to Jim Crow."

After smearing those who sought to restore order in the state House as racist, Popovich read and then ridiculed a statement from U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), suggesting her coordination efforts with federal, state, and local officials to assist in Nashville after an LGBT militant shot up a school were futile.

"[Assist] in what? They're dead," Popovich yelled. "What are you going to assist with — cleaning up their brains off the wall, wiping the blood off the schoolroom floor? What are you going to assist with?"

Blackburn is presently working to introduce the Securing Aid for Every School Act to the U.S. Senate, which would fund the training and hiring of veterans and former police officers to harden school security and ultimately keep children safe.

Popovich continued, lambasting Governor Bill Lee, who, along with his wife Maria, lost two close friends, Cynthia Peak, 61, and Dr. Katherine Koonce, in the Covenant School shooting.

"And then there's Governor Lee. I'm sorry to go on and on, but Bill Lee: 'I'm closely monitoring the tragic situation. Please join us in prayer.' What are you monitoring? They're dead! Children — they're dead. When I pick up my 6- and 11-year-old grandkids at school, when I'm here at home, on the way it goes through my mind that I hope they're going to be OK."

The 74-year-old coach from Indiana suggested that Republican efforts to defend Americans' constitutional rights depended on the "myth" of the Second Amendment.

"You know, it's just a myth. It’s a joke. It’s just a game they play. I mean, that's freedom. Is it freedom for kids to go to school and try to socialize and try to learn and be scared to death that they might die that day?" said Popovich.

"But Ted Cruz will fix it because he is going to double the number of cops in the schools. That’s what he wants to do. Well, that’ll create a great environment. Is that freedom? Or is it freedom to have a congressman who can make a postcard with all his family holding rifles, including an AR-15 or whatever. Is that cool? Is that like street cred for a Republican? That’s freedom? That’s more important than protecting kids? I don’t get it."

\u201cAt the end of what might be his last pregame media availability, Gregg Popovich asked if any of the reporters had brought guns into the arena, then had so e things to say about lack of gun control regulation in Tennessee and, well, everywhere in the U.S.\u201d
— Brad Townsend (@Brad Townsend) 1681065602

This is not the first time that Popovich — who originally figured he would apply his academic background in Soviet studies to a career working for the CIA — has opined on political matters.

TheBlaze previously reported that Popovich endorsed failed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke in 2018 because of the way Sen. Ted Cruz's opponent had made him feel.

In 2019, Popovich called former President Donald Trump "feckless, impotent, and cowardly."

In 2020, Popovich suggested George Floyd's death was a "lynching" and claimed the incident made him "embarrassed as a white person."

In 2021, he likened Italian hero and renowned explorer Christopher Columbus to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, accusing him of committing "a new world genocide," and further suggested that Texan schools that observed Columbus Day were "backward."

Gregg Popovich asks a serious question… again. youtu.be

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NBA world reacts to 'sick' Rittenhouse verdict; ESPN analyst corrects spreading false information about case



The NBA community has taken a keen interest in the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse — and many have made it a racial issue.

James Cadogan, executive director of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, released a statement.

"Our thoughts are with the families of those whose lives were taken in this tragedy," Cadogan said. "The right to peacefully protest is a bedrock of our democracy and the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition remains committed to preserving that right for all. Any forms of vigilantism in our society are unacceptable."

Statement from National Basketball Social Justice Coalition Executive Director James Cadogan on the verdict in Kenosha, Wisconsin.pic.twitter.com/5jjTtssON2
— NBA (@NBA) 1637369612

Golden State Warriors coach and progressive activist Steve Kerr told reporters on Friday, "It wasn't a shocking verdict. But it's one that poses great risk going forward if we continue to go down this path with 'open carry' and states determining that people – even underage people – can carry weapons of war. This is America. We're treading down a dangerous path."

Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said, "Hoping for improvement. Organizationally, just continue to fight for social justice, for better. But at the same time, have to abide by the jury and the decision and the verdict and continue to fight for better."

Bucks' small forward Khris Middleton said the team held a meeting to discuss Rittenhouse being cleared of murder charges by a jury of his peers.

"We talked about [the verdict] a little bit as a team," Middleton said. "Speaking for myself it was definitely disappointing, but at the same time, it really wasn't surprising about the verdict. I watched [the trial] a little bit, and was able to keep up with it, but it's something that I think we've all seen over and over again."

Portland Trail Blazers guard and National Basketball Players Association president CJ McCollum reacted to the verdict by tweeting, "Sick world."

Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash said, "These situations are disappointing. It's important not to become demoralized and for people to continue to fight for the type of justice and equality that serves all."

During the ESPN show "NBA Today," the sports analysts discussed the Rittenhouse verdict for nearly 10 minutes before they talked about basketball.

"We're starting with something that is much more important, a verdict in a courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin," said host Malika Andrews.

She then brought race into the conversation about Rittenhouse — who is white — having shot three white men who attacked him.

Speaking to her fellow hosts — former NBA players Richard Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins — Andrews told them, "We are all black people, and so I wanted to make sure that we created some space for anything that we want to say here before we talk about basketball."

Good God this is embarrassing.https://twitter.com/RealMattCouch/status/1461969185844649986\u00a0\u2026
— Jason Whitlock (@Jason Whitlock) 1637414948

Perkins said the verdict was "mind-boggling."

"I'm not surprised," Perkins said. "It's very disturbing, it's not just a gun, we talking about an AK."

Rittenhouse did not have an AK-47 at the time of the shooting, but rather a semiautomatic Smith & Wesson M&P 15.

Jefferson said, "If you live in America, if know the history of America" then you're not surprised by Rittenhouse's acquittal.

Jefferson pushed the incorrect statement that Rittenhouse crossed state lines with a firearm.

"He was a kid that took a gun across state lines and went and did what he did," Jefferson proclaimed. "And they are saying that is lawful."

To his credit, Jefferson issued a correction to his mistake, something that is rarely done by members of the legacy media.

"I want to address something. I made a mistake during a very emotional time. I said something that was false," Jefferson said on Saturday.

"I have covered very emotional moments in my career from the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd to the tragic death of Kobe and GiGi and the families in the crash," he continued. "I read something that was false. He did not bring a gun across state lines."

"I apologize for this and I will be BETTER. I'm a man and will not hide," Jefferson wrote on Twitter. "I have spoken for 1000's of hours on Television and crucial mistake are rarely made but when they are made they should be addressed."

Jefferson returned to his original point that he believed Rittenhouse should have been convicted.

"The point that I was trying to make is to live in a world where killing 2 people and injuring another has ZERO CONSEQUENCES. That is sending a very scary message," he tweeted. "Thank you and be safe."

Following the typhoon of false narratives about Kyle Rittenhouse by public figures, there is growing support for defamation lawsuits to be filed against the media corporations and politicians who have allegedly painted him as a "murderer" and "white supremacist."

'You are so full of s**t': Mark Cuban lashes out at Ted Cruz in fiery online feud over low NBA ratings



Billionaire investor Mark Cuban lashed out at Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) after he criticized the politicization of the NBA and the failed ratings that followed.

Cruz mocked the NBA after ratings for the Finals registered a historical low at the end of an overtly politicized season.

"Not surprising. Personally speaking, this is the first time in years that I haven't watched a single game in the NBA Finals. #GoWokeGoBroke," Cruz tweeted on Tuesday.

Cuban took exception as the owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team.

"A US Senator with 3 @NBA teams in his state, employing thousands of people and he is rooting for their businesses to do poorly," tweeted Cuban.

A US Senator with 3 @NBA teams in his state, employing thousands of people and he is rooting for their businesses t… https://t.co/R50289kBjJ
— Mark Cuban (@Mark Cuban)1601996912.0

"This is who you are @tedcruz . Every minute of your life, this is exactly who you are," he added.

Cruz fired back at Cuban, who has a history of targeting Cruz for acidic criticism.

"I love @HoustonRockets & have rooted for them my entire life. I happily cheer for the Spurs & Mavericks against any non-TX team," tweeted Cruz.

I love @HoustonRockets & have rooted for them my entire life. I happily cheer for the Spurs & Mavericks against any… https://t.co/UQBS8fpX2E
— Ted Cruz (@Ted Cruz)1601997525.0

"But @mcuban the NBA is engaged in a concerted effort to (1) insult their fans & (2) turn every game into a left-wing political lecture," he added. "That's dumb."

Cuban tossed out an expletive in his insulting retort.

"You are so full of s**t. You haven't watched a game of the finals, how would you know what is being said or done? Since when is a desire to end racism an insult to anyone or political? And you don't think using #GetWokeGoBroke is a partisan insult? Again, this is who you are," Cuban tweeted.

Cruz replied with a reminder that Cuban could not bring himself to criticize the communist Chinese government, which partners with the NBA to grow their profits, even as he pushed for social justice causes.

"I wish @mcuban loved his fans as much as he loves Chinese money," tweeted Cruz.

Shame on me for putting American Civil Rights and Justice, creating jobs, growing our economy and healthcare reform… https://t.co/GSKF2qOAPm
— Mark Cuban (@Mark Cuban)1602000245.0

"Shame on me for putting American Civil Rights and Justice, creating jobs, growing our economy and healthcare reform over twitter proclamations," replied Cuban.

The NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat resumes on Tuesday evening with the Lakers ahead in the series, 2 games to 1.

Here's more about Cruz slamming Cuban over Chinese influence:

Sen. Ted Cruz Says NBA Ain't 'Woke' Until League Stands Up to China | TMZ Sportswww.youtube.com