Mitch Johnson is stressing a business as usual approach for the San Antonio Spurs while coach Gregg Popovich is out indefinitely while recovering from an illness.
“Just stay consistent with the messaging that we have had,” Johnson said Monday night before the Spurs’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers. “Pop does so much empowerment and delegation when he is here that in a weird way, it doesn’t feel like I have to do something super outlandish.
“Obviously there are big shoes to fill and we’re going to do it as a group. The guys have been great and the players have stepped up as well in that regard.”
San Antonio announced on Monday morning that Popovich did not travel with the team on its current road trip. The Spurs are at Houston on Wednesday before hosting Portland on Thursday.
Johnson said he talked to Popovich on Sunday night and that the 75-year-old coach is in good spirits. There isn’t a timeline, though, on when Popovich might be back.
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This is the third time Johnson has served as interim coach in Popovich’s absence. It is his ninth year in the Spurs organization. He started as an assistant for the Spurs G League team in Austin before becoming one of Popovich’s assistants in 2019.
“This has happened a few times,” Johnson said. “I’ve coached Summer League before. I’ve been behind the bench. I’ve been in the G League. All those things helped the organization, so I think this is just another opportunity in a different role to hopefully help the team win.”
Johnson was informed about 2 1/2 hours prior to Saturday’s tipoff against the Minnesota Timberwolves that Popovich was unavailable because of an undisclosed illness. The Spurs won that game 113-103 to improve to 3-3.
Johnson thinks Popovich’s absence could be a motivating factor.
Victor Wembanyama, the top pick in the 2023 draft, is averaging 18 points and 9.8 rebounds, while veteran additions Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes are both averaging 11.7 points.
Early on, the biggest improvements have been on defense. San Antonio is allowing 104.7 points compared to 118.6 last season. Opponents are shooting 42.7% from the field. Last season it was 48.7%.
“It’s really hard to play defense in this league. It’s a credit to Chris and Harrison, the veterans on the team that have come in. I think you set a tone about some of those same things, about how hard it is to win and the attention to detail and being professional,” Johnson said. “Victor is a huge part of that as well. He’s a year older and he has grown tremendously. It’s something we can hope to continue to build upon.”
Former assistant coaches Tim Duncan and Becky Hammon have also served as Spurs head coach because of an illness or medical procedure for Popovich in the past five seasons.
Popovich is the NBA’s career leader with 1,390 victories and another 170 postseason wins while winning five NBA titles. He is in his 29th season, all with San Antonio.
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