OK, I admit it. I’m tearing up a little as I finish this very long article from ESPN.com about Coach Pop. And I can already hear you saying, “ESPN.com? Was that Pop, as in Coach Popovich?” And also, “Tearing UP? What gives?”
Sometimes it pays to skip to the end of a meal and have dessert first. So, here are the last couple paragraphs of the piece, just so you can see what I mean…
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Jienna Basaldu looks at her boss and nods. She’s grown up watching the NBA, especially her hometown Kings, and, of course, knows about Popovich. But what she mostly knows — aside from the notion that he’s good at his job — is the steely stare that’s chilled the spine of many a sideline reporter. And now she, a 29-year-old sommelier who passed the exam to earn that title a few months prior, will be taking care of him.
She’s nervous to begin with. And that’s before Popovich strolls into Ella Dining Room and Bar with five staffers, like a scene from “Reservoir Dogs.” But immediately, he’s kind, courteous. He explains that they’d like to do side-by-side comparisons of Old World wines vs. New World wines. A white Burgundy from France versus a chardonnay from California. A French red Burgundy against a California pinot noir.
Basaldu loves the idea. It’s a wine geek’s delight. Throughout, Popovich turns to Basaldu, asking her to explain elements of each — the region, producer, vineyard, why it’s best served in this type of wine glass. “Oh, repeat that,” he says, gesturing toward his staff. “Tell everyone at the table.” Basaldu feels empowered. So much of what he orders happen to be wines that she’s studied for her recent exam. She catches a rhythm, like a shooter who can’t miss. And toward the meal’s end, Popovich says, “Oh, save all the bottles. Give them all to my assistant. They’re going to scrapbook them. We need to make sure we have everything.”
As Popovich prepares to leave, Basaldu stands near the door. He stops and turns to her. “You’re too good for this place,” he says. “You’re going to do big things.” Pop isn’t knocking Sacramento, or the restaurant where she’s worked for 2½ years, a place he’s visited many times. He’s referencing her promise. “You’re so young, and you’re so well-spoken, and you’re so knowledgeable. It’s clear that you love this. When you love something like this, you hold on to it. You hear me?” “Yes, sir, Mr. Popovich,” she tells him.
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Deep down, she’s always dreamed of going to San Francisco, among the biggest stages in her industry. But the leap from Sacramento has felt huge. She figures she might just stay in Sacramento forever. But his words resonate: “I will see you again. It will be somewhere else.” Being a young woman in a male-dominated industry is daunting. Still, she tells herself, “Gregg Popovich sees something in me.”
Four years later, when Basaldu makes the leap and lands at The Morris, an acclaimed eatery in San Francisco’s Potrero Flats neighborhood, she looks back on that night with Popovich. And her voice will crack, recalling the time when this famous coach, known for his gruff exterior, gave her the push she needed. How he walked into her restaurant, recognized her game, and helped change the course of her life.
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There. Dessert first. Yer welcome. Though a bit longish, the full article’s still worth reading. What, you think you can get away with eating JUST dessert? Think again! With Coach Pop around, there are no shortcuts.
The Nuggets play the Spurs Tuesday night in a Game 5 match up of the NBA’s Western Conference first round playoffs. The series is tied 2-2. I’ll be rooting for the Nuggets, of course. But the way I see it, I can’t lose, because while the Nuggets may be my home-town team, I’ll always love Coach Pop. Oh, and also? Fine wine. Let’s not forget that.
Props to frequent dewconsulting.net contributor BRG for pointing me in the direction of this story. I gotta admit, ESPN.com isn’t one of my usual online destinations. But maybe it should be!
Bonus FB funny:
