How instrumental was Gregg Popovich in relaunching the Spurs in games 2 and 5, just after tough defeats against Minnesota (3-2 for San Antonio in the series), while game 6 is being played on the night of Friday to Saturday (3:30 a.m.)? After the setback at home (102-104), at the opening of this exciting semi-final in the West, the legendary former coach of the Texan franchise, victim of a stroke in November 2024, had in any case taken part in the team’s video session.
Then we even saw him Tuesday on the tarmac at San Antonio airport, getting off the Spurs plane, to talk with Victor Wembanyama about his first career expulsion, the day before, for a surprising elbow strike on Naz Reid.
And “Coach Pop” (77 years old) has obviously lost none of his sense of the formula, according to “Wemby” last week: “As “Pop” said: ‘When you win, you’re never as good as you think, and when you lose, you’re never as bad’ “. Just before the launch of the play-offs, the Spurs’ first since 2019, the five-time NBA champion had already made a remarkable return to the training of the team, which he had led for almost three decades.
“We still feel the power of his dynasty”
“Whether the matches go well or badly, with “Pop”, we know that he will always tell us the truth,” summarized fullback Stephon Castle. The Popovich page officially turned in San Antonio during a press conference on May 5, 2025, alongside two of its historic executives, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. Appearing very weakened, the American coach of Serbian origin moved the entire basketball world that day, inducting for good his young successor Mitch Johnson (39), who had taken over as interim coach for the six months post-stroke.
But what concrete influence does he have, as president of Spurs basketball operations, in the astonishing revival of the franchise, in the race for a first coronation in twelve years?
“Coach Pop†remains super important for the team, believes Carolina Teague, journalist for the Spurfect website. We still feel today the power of the dynasty he created within Spurs. Just look at the example of Keldon Johnson, who won the NBA’s best 6th man award this season. It was “Coach Pop”‘s decision to move him from starter to luxury substitute. It shows his psychological intelligence because he was the one who knew how to manage Keldon’s ego at that time, and we realize this season what a big decision it was.”
« A ses côtés, on apprend the mentality of a champion »
Last month, this same Keldon Johnson indicated, just like Victor Wembanyama, “exchange every day” with “Pop” on the telephone. While rejoicing at the improvement in his health, even if a return to the bench is no longer on the cards.
“His progress is very encouraging. He’s clearly the same man, still as lively, he’s the “Pop” he’s always been,” appreciates the precious joker. Contacted by 20 Minutesformer professional winger Daniel Nwalelele was able to meet Gregg Popovich up close during a Spurs training camp in 2007. His admiration for him says a lot about the stature of “Pop” across the Atlantic.
« “Coach Pop” is an exceptional man, very caring, intelligent, funny, disciplined, and a true leader, driven by an immense thirst for victories. I had the chance to be trained by him and I’m very proud of it, it’s a defining moment in my career. At his side, we learn above all what the culture and mentality of a champion are. “Coach Pop” built this entire Spurs culture and it is still the key to their success today. We see how what he built in San Antonio has a positive influence on the entire League. He is “El Jefe” (the leader), that says it all about him. »
“Pop” has a slew of disciples in the NBA
Because Mitch Johnson is far from being the only “disciple” of Popovich to have emerged as a successful head coach in the NBA. From Mike Budenholzer (champion with Milwaukee in 2021) to Ime Udoka (Houston, ex-Boston) via Mike Brown (New York Knicks), we can no longer count the ex-Spurs assistants who have subsequently made a career. Near River Walk, their former guide is still revered by fans. “‘Pop’ is still around, we easily spot him at matches, sitting in his dressing room,” says Mario Moreno, one of the leaders of the “ultras” Spurs Jackals group created by “Wemby”.
He would like to start a song paying tribute to him. “But ‘Pop’ is so discreet that it’s as if I didn’t want to impose that on him,” smiles the 35-year-old Spurs fan. He never wants to be in the spotlight. His credo is to work hard and let his work speak for itself. Last summer, we wanted to organize an evening in his honor after the announcement of his retirement. Everyone wanted to do this… except “Pop”! His culture of hard work and winning over notoriety still resonates in the locker room here.”
In the absence of a fiesta, his franchise installed a banner at the top of the Frost Bank Center with the number of career victories of Gregg Popovich (1,390 between 1996 and 2024), a record in the entire history of the NBA for a coach. All next to Tony Parker’s retired jersey. An inspiring presence that ex-Rockets and Mavs winger Chandler Parsons has just deciphered during the TV show Run it back.
Popovich behind Fox’s altruism?
“If there’s one person I’d listen to even more than Mitch Johnson, it’s ‘Pop,'” he says. This guy is so wise and he knows how to win. He’s been through this before. “He’s a legend and we feel that ‘Wemby’ is soaking up all the knowledge he can pass on to him.”
If Victor Wembanyama was welcomed and then shaped by Gregg Popovich in San Antonio from 2023 to 2024, Spurs playmaker De’Aaron Fox (28 years old) has only been managed by Mitch Johnson, since his trade in February 2025. Mario Moreno is however certain that the former star of the Sacramento Kings is also influenced by “Coach Pop”.
“Fox arrived with his caliber of All-Star player, he signed a max contract of $57 million per season,” recalls our supporter. And we see that he shares the ball up front with a rookie [Dylan Harper] and a second year [Stephon Castle]. Anyone with his resume would normally want to control everything on an NBA team, but not in San Antonio. He has a smile, he trains and mentors young people and he is the perfect example of the culture that Popovich always wanted to establish.”
Mitch Johnson poses as ideal successor
And that Mitch Johnson perpetuates in his own way, as confirmed by 20Â Minutes American winger John Holland. He played the 2018-2019 season with the Austin Spurs in the G-League, alongside Mitch Johnson, then assistant coach. “Mitch was in full development at Spurs,” he remembers. We felt like a good coach in the making. I didn’t imagine then that he would one day succeed Popovich, but the Spurs always know what they are doing. And when we see that he has the advice of one of the best coaches in history at his disposal, it can only be beneficial in his daily life.
Our file on the NBA
During his famous last public speech a year ago, Gregg Popovich announced: “We will not disappoint you. We won’t win every game but we will try to do so. And always with class, in victory or in defeat.” After three years in the depths of the NBA, the Spurs once again honor the line set by their eternal mentor.
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