As the San Antonio Spurs readied themselves to face the top-seeded Golden State Warriors for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, you’d think they’d have nothing on their mind but basketball, especially the coach. However, a reporter asked Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich at the pregame press conference if the events of the outside world had distracted him from his work. And the coach acknowledged that—like many of us—it has been hard to tune out the White House’s strange behavior and just focus on his daily tasks.
“There’s a cloud, a pall over the whole country, in a paranoid, surreal sort of way,” Popovich told reporters. “It’s got to do with the way one person conducts himself and, it’s embarrassing. It’s dangerous to our institutions and what we all stand for and what we expect this country to be. But for this individual, he’s in a game show.”
Popovich has repeatedly spoken out against President Donald Trump this season. In the days after the election, he gave one of the most concise and heartfelt critiques of the then president-elect, speaking up for those who felt their voices were being drowned out:
“What gives me so much pause and makes me feel so badly that the country is willing to be that intolerant and not understand the empathy that's necessary to understand other group's situations. I'm a rich white guy, and I'm sick to my stomach thinking about it. I can't imagine being a Muslim right now, or a woman, or an African-American, a Hispanic, a handicapped person. How disenfranchised they might feel. And for anyone in those groups that voted for him, it's just beyond my comprehension how they ignore all of that. My final conclusion is—my big fear is—we are Rome.”
It’s a favored pasttime of Trump supporters to paint anyone who criticizes the 45th president as an out of touch coastal elite. That description certainly doesn't fit Popovich. The 68-year-old grump—who has led the Spurs to five NBA titles—grew up in Indiana, graduated from the Air Force Academy, and served five years in that branch of the military. His biography, combined with his astute, no-frills critiques has been what makes Pop’s monologues land with such force when he delivers them. Fortunately, he has yet to back off from his core convictions and will hopefully continue to speak out.
Here are his comments today in full:
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Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.