A few days after the Spurs announced Gregg Popovich would permanently vacate the head coaching job and move to the front office, he made a surprise appearance at a press conference for his replacement, Mitch Johnson, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Popovich, who suffered a stroke in November, explained why the move was necessary.
“Things are getting better by the day but it’s not good enough for what we plan ahead, and so it’s time to make this change,” he said.
The press conference at the practice facility was his first public appearance since the health crisis. Popovich, who retains his title of president of basketball operations, was pleased to be able to remove Johnson’s interim tag.
“We saw him in action and he was brilliant. … I couldn’t be more thrilled for him,” he said.
Here’s more on the Spurs:
- Johnson said the franchise has brighter days ahead. Spurs first-rounders Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle have won the last two Rookie of the Year awards. “We have a hold on the direction and want to build upon something,” Johnson said, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “This is not a reboot or restart. It’s a new chapter because it looks different, but the theme of the book isn’t changing.”
- Johnson credited Popovich for teaching him the coaching ropes, including attention to detail, competitiveness and player development. “You understand the moment and how important every single moment is. And no moment is like any other,” Johnson said. “The discipline you have to be grounded and present, giving yourself to every moment is what I will never forget. And at this moment, I would like to say thank you.”
- The Spurs possess two first-rounders in this year’s draft with a chance to move up with both picks in the lottery, ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes. San Antonio has 10 players under contract for next season and even though it pulled off the De’Aaron Fox blockbuster during the season, it is well-positioned to make another big move this summer. Fox is eligible for a four-year, $229MM max extension this summer.
- The Spurs could be in the market for a free agent shooter and need to sort out their point guard situation, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith notes in his offseason preview. Chris Paul is headed back to free agency and his future with the franchise is uncertain, Smith writes, identifying Sandro Mamukelashvili as the most likely to return among the team’s free agents.
Bring Mamu back!!! Pop never gave him a legit shot but seemed like Mitch started to realize how valuable he could be.
There’s no PG issue – Fox is the PG
Mamu has just enough to be a 5th starter or key bench role player…
Bye Chris Paul, thanks for the rental.
Pop is a coaching legend… he will be missed…
I think if you let Chris Paul go a lot of this successful vibe and environment goes with him.
I’m not a Chris Paul fan by any means…, he’s a feisty little general who’s a pain in the arse. But he was a huge reason Phoenix took that next step five years ago and I believe he’s a huge reason the spurs franchise is headed in the right direction today.
Replacing him with Fox probably gets them to contending status but letting Paul go would be a mistake.
I believe he probably loves it there and would enjoy the opportunity to teach while playing a back up role this coming season.
Hope the ping pong balls give one last gift. Another top 3 pick would be amazing.
Cp3 was great. If he comes back he should be on the bench.
Fox
Castle
Barnes (he’s steady)
Wemby are for sure starters.
Love Keldon and him being on the bench still would be great. His energy is infectious. Champangie is great too. He keeps improving and is a great shooter. Blake Wesley plays hard and hustles. Perfect bench role
If sochan and vassell are back they need to be a little more consistent.
Off-season additions I would like a big center Steven Adams type. They are a small team other than wemby and getting more physicality will help everyone and vic needs to play the 4 some. Bassey is great but always hurt and mamu i wouldn’t mind having back as a third big. He is a good shooter and plays well with vic. He needs to improve a a lot of areas to get more consistent playing time.
While I’m sure the big players would be nice to get I also think staying the course with this group and maybe using smaller assets to add to the bench with a vet or two would be fine.
Moving someone like branaham and bassey non guaranteed with a less valuable pick for a nice vet contributor would be fine in my book. All and all I’m very excited for next year. Hopefully a nice run and good health all around.