Turner Sports reporter Craig Sager was not manning his usual place on the sideline for Tuesday night’s NBA season opener, while undergoing treatment for leukemia. But he was most definitely a presence, thanks to tributes throughout the league as the 2016-17 season tipped off.
That was especially true in Oakland, California as the Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors played their opener against the San Antonio Spurs. Coming off a historic 73-win season while also debuting the NBA’s newest superteam with Kevin Durant joining Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Warriors and their fans could have noted those occasions for their first game of the season. Instead, the team gave out t-shirts with Sager’s likeness (nattily attired, of course) on the front for everyone in attendance at Oracle Arena.
Warriors officials wore a different t-shirt honoring Sager, resembling a multi-colored jacket, shirt and tie that the famed broadcaster might favor as he worked the sidelines and filed reports for the TNT audience. Golden State head coach Steve Kerr wore one of the shirts during a pregame press conference.
Coach Kerr on Opening Night #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/G2XvjK31QK
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 26, 2016
The TNT crew also got in the spirit for their colleague. Reporter Kristen Ledlow sported a pair of Nike’s limited edition #SagerStrong Air Force 1s while she was on the scene in Oakland. 100 pairs of the shoes are being auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the SagerStrong Foundation.
.@KristenLedlow rocking her fresh pair of kicks! #SagerStrong https://t.co/RGAim33zNb
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 26, 2016
The multi-colored Sager t-shirts, one of which was shown during the TNT broadcast by Kenny Smith, are also available for purchase to benefit the SagerStrong Foundation.
The TNT family is #SagerStrong https://t.co/bfmzGf3cEC
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 26, 2016
And with the Spurs in town to play the Warriors, Sager “nemesis” and San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich also paid tribute to Sager.
That tie-game is #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/R8I5yxrfBB
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 26, 2016
These #SagerStrong shirts are 🔥 pic.twitter.com/M1ZsBleTn7
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 26, 2016
“He’s somebody who’s endured more than I can even imagine,” Popovich told NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper. “All the treatment he’s gone through and it seems to go up and down and up and down. He’s high and then he’s dejected because of what’s going on with his health. He’s been through it all and he still smiles, he still jokes, he’s still got a great sense of humor, you can still talk to him about anything. He’s just an iconic and a weird and wonderful guy all at the same time, and I mean that lovingly.”
The support for Sager wasn’t just limited to Oracle Arena on Tuesday. Tribute was paid throughout the league.
The @Celtics honored Craig Sager during today's practice. #SagerStrong pic.twitter.com/09u0cOCZxv
— Boston Herald (@bostonherald) October 25, 2016
The love and support shown toward Sager is truly touching, and a reflection of the impression he’s left upon players, coaches and executives around the NBA, in addition to everyone he’s worked with at Turner Sports. Best wishes for a safe and speedy recovery for a personality we all enjoy.
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