SAN ANTONIO (AP) — LeBron James fought right right straight back tears. Former President Bill Clinton offered condolences. Craig Sager’s daughter tweeted that she had been that is“just sick the headlines.

Such is the regard that countless, from a lot of walks of life, have for San Antonio Spurs mentor Gregg Popovich, whose 67-year-old spouse, Erin, passed away Wednesday after a lengthy fight with a breathing issue.

Spurs celebrity Manu Ginobili states the united group is “devastated, we all have been hurting. ” Nevertheless the players will there“go out and compete” and respect Popovich’s philosophy of having fun with “fire” and “determination. ”

Added San Antonio’s Tony Parker: “It puts every thing in viewpoint. It’s means larger than baseball. ”

The Spurs trail the Golden State Warriors 3-0 into the round that is first losing in San Antonio 110-97 on Thursday night. The 69-year-old advisor went training Wednesday but had not been from the sideline for the game. Assistant Ettore Messina coached the group.

Clinton reached away on Twitter towards the mentor and their daughters: “I get in on the NBA family members and countless fans across the united states who will be considering you, Jill, and Micky tonight while you mourn the increased loss of your Erin. ”

The Spurs asked the news to respect the grouped household’s privacy. General supervisor RC Buford stated at Thursday’s shootaround he talked to Popovich, that is “overwhelmed by the support” but “wants our focus become in regards to the game. ”

“Erin and Gregg had been close friends who have been together for 40 years, and Erin’s effect and impact on we, on our families, on our players and their loved ones will likely be thought for a long time in the future, ” Buford said.

Popovich happens to be a mentor to countless players and coaches, never ever afraid to talk away on social problems or rebuff a reporter. His humor is razor- sharp, and merely one other he was the one when you look at the movie space whom shouted “Go Warriors! Day”

Warriors mentor Steve Kerr is certainly one of those mentored by Popovich, in which he understands the household well, having played for the Spurs when you look at the late 1990s before being exchanged by Popovich.

“Erin was sort associated with the stability that Pop needed, ” Kerr said having a laugh. “She ended up being the main family members, but she’s managed a whole lot during the last several years health-wise and has now been really courageous. ”

Warriors celebrity Stephen Curry tweeted that he’s “lifting up prayers” for the mentor and their family members.

Ginobili had to include rips at the shootaround.

“We all understand the style of man Pop is, ” he stated. charm date quizzes “Not lots of people understand the types of gal that Erin ended up being. It’s painful and achieving to endure this really is constantly tough. There is certainly never ever a great time.

“We want become close to Pop, you want to help him, but we’ve surely gett to venture out here and compete today. But, without a doubt, we have been toiling. It is maybe not a day that is easy be right here. ”

After Popovich went training Wednesday, Ginobili and Parker invested time using the coach that night.

“She had been a lady that is great” Parker said. “i usually looked at them like a dad and a mother, everybody knows that. He had been constantly really private, but I experienced a chance to see him in another way. ”

Kacy Sager ended up being heartsick due to the relationship her father that is late shared the mentor. If the longtime broadcaster came back to their TNT task in 2015 after treatment plan for the leukemia that eventually took their life, Popovich granted an meeting if for no other explanation than to welcome Sager right back.

“Pop went away from their solution to make certain us knew we’d their help whenever my dad passed. I really hope the Popovich household will be able to find energy in every regarding the love this grouped community has got to offer, ” Sager published on Twitter.

James ended up being visibly upset by the news that is“devastating after Game 2 for the Cavaliers-Pacers show.

“The NBA family members, most of us stick together, ” James told TNT. “we know we compete each night. But something such as this occurs, it places everything in viewpoint. ”

Popovich has coached San Antonio since 1996, leading the Spurs to five NBA games. He is the U.S. Olympic group mentor.

James calls him a “mastermind associated with the game” and has now said he’d give consideration to playing when it comes to U.S. Under Popovich in the 2020 Tokyo Games after skipping the Rio Olympics.

Other NBA greats indicated their grief on Twitter — Bill Russell, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant included in this. Steve Nash published: “Knowing Pop, it is reasonable to assume Erin Popovich was a total legend. ”

Popovich came across their spouse in the Air Force Academy within the 1970s as he was a coach that is assistant the Falcons. Erin’s dad, Jim Conboy, had been Air Force’s head athletic trainer.

Previous Spurs assistant and present Philadelphia mentor Brett Brown said he’s known Erin a very long time.

“Their household was extremely type to my family, ” he stated. “And she had been a celebrity, like a genuine celebrity. An extremely strong woman, and someone that’ll be missed. ”

AP freelancer Raul Dominguez contributed for this report.