SAN ANTONIO — Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin expressed admiration for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich's commitment to fundamental basketball during halftime of the Spurs-Denver Nuggets on Monday night at the AT&T Center.
Palin watched her first Spurs game with her 10-year-old grandson, Tripp, who is the son of her oldest daughter, Bristol, who lives in Austin. Palin and her grandson sat two rows behind the Spurs' bench.
Palin was asked if she would talk to Popovich, who has been an outspoken critic of President Trump and his administration, if she had the opportunity.
"You know what? Hopefully we would avoid politics and talk basketball," Palin said. "I I love watching him. He's there yelling at his guys to block out (for rebounds). He's still talking fundamentals.
"I'm like, it's amazing that it's the same thing our coaches taught us in sixth-grade basketball. Coach Pop, he's still concerned about the foundation of the game. I love it."
Palin played high school basketball in Alaska, where she has lived for most of her life. Palin said it was the first time she's watched a Spurs game in person.
"I love this arena," Palin said. "It's not overwhelming. It's kind of intimate, and really nice people."
Palin quickly returned to talking basketball.
"The only thing I was puzzled on was we don't even look for offensive rebounds, I guess," she said. "But this season's fun to watch you guys because it's kind of like regrouping, right? A whole new ballgame.
"Coach Pop is so good knowing that the Spurs can peak at the right time and they can make it to the playoffs. They better."
Palin praised veteran Spurs forward Rudy Gay, who started for most of the season before coming off the bench the last three games.
"Rudy Gay is the best sixth man in the NBA, I think," she said. "I'm surprised that Rudy doesn't start. Coming off the bench, though, so strong."
Her grandson said that Gay is his favorite player.
Palin, who ran on the Republican ticket with the late John McCain in 2008, endorsed Trump for president in 2016.
Asked if she thinks she'll return to San Antonio to watch another Spurs game, Palin said, "Oh, yeah, absolutely."
