With the short-term departure of longtime head coach Gregg Popovich attributable to well being causes, the San Antonio Spurs introduced in assistant coach Mitch Johnson to step in as interim head coach.
The transfer put Johnson within the highlight, and he is already receiving reward from veteran level guard Chris Paul, who has loved a profession renaissance in San Antonio as a double-double machine.
“Mitch has been nice, man,” Paul stated enthusiastically in an interview with Athletics. “I used to be fortunate sufficient to know Mitch earlier than I even signed right here. He is doing an unimaginable job, and it is loopy that he is within the function he is in now as a result of he is been so communicative anyway.
Johnson, who has been a Spurs assistant since 2019, has been acknowledged for his strategic concepts and robust capability to speak successfully with gamers.
In Popovich’s absence, he took on extra tasks, operating practices, managing recreation technique and managing participant rotations, all duties important to the Spurs’ development-oriented tradition.
“We’ve not had (a lot) apply as a result of we’re at all times on the street,” Spurs middle Victor Wembanyama stated. “However he’s doing an ideal job.”
For a younger Spurs roster, Johnson’s steerage brings a well-known construction that ensures the workforce stays secure regardless of Popovich’s absence.
Though Johnson’s future as head coach in San Antonio is just not assured, his efficiency throughout this interim interval has actually helped his case.
Whether or not Popovich returns or not, Johnson’s tenure as interim head coach offers him with a invaluable alternative to show his management qualities.
For now, he is preserving the Spurs on observe as they sit at 5-6, embodying the tradition and philosophy Popovich has constructed through the years.
