Matthew Tynan

Special for USA TODAY Sports

Gregg Popovich has never been one to elaborate on game plans and lineup rotations, especially not in the setting of NBA media day. But when there are actual important matters to discuss, few figures in sports have more pointed opinions.

The Spurs’ longtime head coach at the Spurs media day on Monday was asked about racial issues facing the country today, particularly surrounding the national anthem, and the next seven minutes were must-listen.

“I absolutely understand why they’re doing what they’re doing, and I respect their courage for what they’ve done. The question is whether it’ll do any good or not, because change really seems to happen through political pressure,” he said. “No matter how you look at it, whether it’s Dr. (Martin Luther) King getting large groups of people together and boycotting buses, or what’s happened in Carolina with the NBA and other organizations pulling events to make it known what’s going on.

“I think the important thing (Colin) Kaepernick and others have done is to keep it in the conversation.“

What NBA players and coaches are saying about national anthem protests

Popovich went on to speak about the significance of keeping the topic “fresh” in today’s up-to-the-second news cycle. As for how he’ll handle the situation if protest rises from the San Antonio locker room, he said he’s leaving it up to the individual.

“My players are engaged citizens who are fully capable of understanding what their values are, and what they feel is appropriate or inappropriate, what they feel strongly about, and whatever actions may or may not be taken are their decisions,” he said. “I’m not going to tell anyone ahead of time, if they don’t do A, B and C, they’re going to be gone, or traded.

“I think that’s ignorant.”

The session ended with a reporter asking Popovich if he’d seen the ‘Popovich for President’ bumper-stickers around San Antonio.

“Very flattering, but misplaced,” he responded. “I’m not smart enough.”

Whether that’s accurate, Pop certainly had everyone’s ear.