Gregg Popovich drank wine at the Olympic bronze medal game and took a sweet photo with a longtime Spur who won a medal
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- Gregg Popovich watched the Olympic bronze medal match between Australia and Slovenia.
- Popovich, an oenophile, appeared to enjoy a glass of wine from the stands.
- After the game, Popovich took a photo with Patty Mills of Australia, a longtime Spurs guard.
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After winning an elusive gold medal with the U.S. men's basketball team, Gregg Popovich got to kick back a bit for the bronze medal match.
As the Tokyo Olympics wrapped up, Popovich and members of the US men's delegation took in the bronze medal match between Australia and Slovenia.
Popovich, a known oenophile, appeared to be drinking wine during the game.
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After Australia beat Slovenia, 107-93, to win the bronze medal, Popovich celebrated with longtime San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills, who was arguably the face of the Australian team.
The two took a sweet photo together:
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Mills was the first Indigenous Australian to carry the flag at the Olympics opening ceremony. He scored 42 points in the bronze medal match to help Australia win its first Olympic basketball medal.
Mills left the Spurs in free agency this summer after 10 seasons. He joined the Brooklyn Nets, where his shooting and ball-handling will help the expected 2022 NBA championship favorites.
Popovich told reporters he was happy for Mills to play for a contending team rather than the rebuilding Spurs.
"We've talked before about what a wonderful human being he is," Popovich said, according to The New York Post. "He's a really unique player. And he has been special for the Spurs, but he's moving on to Brooklyn now, and we'll miss him a great deal. It's a good move for him, playing for a team that's going to be a contender."
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Popovich even said he felt bad when his U.S. team beat the Australians in the semifinals to reach the gold-medal match.
"I'm thrilled with the victory, obviously, but when I looked him in the eyes, I felt badly," Popovich said. "They do have great camaraderie and history and culture and want it just as badly as any of us. That was a little bit sad, but that's what we all do. We all try to win."