Gregg Popovich is not only the most reputable active coach in the NBA, a true icon who has led the Spurs for 28 seasons and who, at almost 75 years old, faces the exciting challenge of molding the latest pearl of world basketball, Victor Wembanyama.. The former USA coach, trained militarily in the Air Force, is also one of the most respected voices in American society.. This Wednesday he appeared before a small group of international journalists -EL MUNDO among them- and, in addition to a review of the current events of the recently started season, the coach spoke forcefully about the terrible conflict between Israel and Gaza.
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He did it after an excited question from an Arab journalist. “Of course I'm following what's happening there. It is much more important than basketball. “Everyone with a brain and a heart should understand this.”. Because Popovich, far from avoiding the answer, expanded and left a harsh message to the leaders who are trying to solve the conflict without any success.
“We all wish we had an answer. Many people have tried to solve this problem of Palestine for decades and have not succeeded,” he began his reflection, emphasizing the importance of continuing to talk about it, “the more, the better.”. “All our hearts die when we see the horror that Hamas committed. And then we felt the same seeing the bombs falling and killing children and civilians in Palestine,” he denounced.
“The circle has to stop”
“As we speak we know there are people trying to solve this. Should there be a ceasefire or not? How do we move forward? Is it a military solution? The same thing over and over again. And we just hope that we can find leadership somehow, because I think that's what's always missing.. “Can't there be men or women who sit down and solve it?” asked the veteran coach, whose father is Serbian and whose mother is Croatian.
“At some point this circle has to stop. And someone has to have the integrity and the courage to say, 'Let's start from here.'. Somehow the past has to be forgotten. Because every time the past appears, decisions cannot be made. People close themselves in their own worlds and we kill more children,” denounced Popovich, who launched a fierce criticism of leaders incapable of empathizing with civilians who are suffering the consequences of war: “It is difficult for me to understand, all those People who are so inflexible about their positions have children, they have grandchildren…. Is not sufficient? I wish there were leaders who could grab certain people by the throat, put them in a room, and tell them they're not leaving until they figure out the solution.. It sounds simplistic, but someone has to have the courage and I don't see it.”