Gregg Popovich reportedly asked former Spur Stephen Jackson to stop smoking weed

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Gregg Popovich reportedly asked former Spur Stephen Jackson to stop smoking weed during basketball season, according to Sporting News and a radio interview with ESPN.

Jackson, the 6-8 Texas native who went on to help the Spurs win a NBA Championship in 2003, had just wrapped up his first summer league spent with the team when he had a candid conversation with Popovich.

"I remember playing great and after the last game, we were just sitting there and Pop was like, 'I need to talk to you,'" Jackson said in an interview with the “Ryen Russillo Show” on ESPN Radio.

RELATED: Fans catch up with smiling Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich at Summer League games

"He was like, 'Jack, you had a great Summer League. You're playing well. I really want you on my team, but there's only one way that you (gon') make my team — during the season, you can't smoke weed, Jack. You just can't do it. I need you focused. I need you on your game because you know we have a chance to win a championship. I need you focused.'"

During the 2003 season Jackson started all 24 games and went on to follow his new coach’s rules. Saying, “Once he told me that, I shut it down. The NBA was way more important than weed. Trust me.”

cmccrary@express-news.net

FILE - Former San Antonio Spurs forward Stephen Jackson plays during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn., Monday, April 1, 2013. Jackson revealed that Coach Gregg Popovich once asked him to stop smoking weed during the season, according to Sporting News and a radio interview with ESPN. less FILE - Former San Antonio Spurs forward Stephen Jackson plays during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn., Monday, April 1, 2013. Jackson revealed that Coach ... more Photo: Danny Johnston /Associated Press Photo: Danny Johnston /Associated Press Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close Gregg Popovich reportedly asked former Spur Stephen Jackson to stop smoking weed 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

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