The Spurs and Gregg Popovich have been synonymous with each other because the 1996-97 NBA season. That is why there was a lot uncertainty across the franchise when the longtime head coach took a leave of absence in early November to recuperate from a gentle stroke.
Fortunately for the Spurs, Popovich’s assistant coach, Mitch Johnson, has executed an incredible job since taking on the clipboard. On Thursday, the Spurs improved to 18-19 below Johnson — and 20-22 general — with a 140-110 rout of the Pacers within the ongoing Paris Video games. A sub-.500 file is nothing to write down house about, but it surely’s nonetheless an enchancment from final season when the Spurs completed 22-60, lacking the postseason for a fifth consecutive 12 months.
As such, the Spurs are on observe to return to relevancy below the management of Johnson, who sat below Popovich’s studying tree for 5 years earlier than being entrusted into the pinnacle teaching job. Even the Spurs gamers understand Johnson is the voice the locker room wanted within the wake of Popovich’s abrupt well being concern.
“Mitch has executed an incredible job, together with our complete teaching workers,” Chris Paul told reporters in Paris. “Once you’re in a state of affairs like that, getting thrust right into a head-coaching place, you’ve got already constructed belief with guys as a result of he was a variety of occasions the man who was working guys out, coaching guys and whatnot, so he is executed a tremendous job.”
Paul cited Johnson’s faculty profession at Stanford as a cause for him to narrate to gamers and thereby command their respect.
“He coaches with ardour,” Paul stated of Johnson. “You’ll be able to inform Mitch used to hoop, as a degree guard at Stanford. He coaches with ardour and I feel that feeds our workforce. There’s a variety of belief there, a variety of communication, and nice for me to have the ability to play for him.”
If and when Popovich, who will flip 76 on Jan. 28, decides to experience off into the sundown, the Spurs have seemingly unearthed the Corridor of Famer’s alternative.
The Spurs are going by a tough time of their franchise historical past. Regardless of lacking the playoffs for 5 consecutive seasons, there’s rising optimism that they’ll return to title competition whereas constructing off the extraordinary skills of Victor Wembanyama. To that finish, Johnson has additionally been burdened with the duty of fast-tracking the event of Wemby, a task he has excelled in.
The Spurs will once more play the Pacers on Saturday on the Accor Area in Paris. They return house to host the Clippers on Tuesday.
