Gregg Popovich, the legendary Spurs maestro, is taking a breather, and it’s got everyone talking.
Pop’s Sideline Shuffle
So, here’s the scoop: Coach Popovich is on a short hiatus due to some undisclosed illness. The Spurs kicked off this week by announcing he wouldnโt be joining the team for their road games against the Lakers and Rockets. Everyoneโs wondering if heโll be back when the Spurs host the Trail Blazers. Meanwhile, Mitch Johnson steps up as the interim coach, finding out just two hours before their game against the Wolves. Talk about last-minute pressure!
โHeโs not feeling well,โ Mitch shared with the media. โItโs happened before. Weโve all gotta be ready to step up. Injuries, illnesses, life โ they happen.โ And you know what? In my opinion, having someone like Mitch ready to jump in is a testament to the depth of this coaching staff.
BREAKING: Gregg Popovich is โOKโ and just needs โrestโ, per @tom_orsborn.
โ Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops)
Spurs Keep Rolling Without Pop
Even with Popovich out, the Spurs didnโt miss a beat, taking down the Timberwolves 113-103. Keldon Johnson lit up the scoreboard with 25 points, and Chris Paul delivered a classic double-double with 15 points and 13 assists. โMitch did a great job, man,โ Paul praised. โOur whole coaching staff stepped up. Itโs always next man up in this league. Shoutout to Mitch; he nailed it tonight.โ
Before facing the Clippers, Johnson couldnโt help but acknowledge Popโs monumental influence. โPopโs impact on our organization, the players, the staff, and the San Antonio community is hard to put into words,โ he said. โAnd if I tried, it wouldnโt do it justice.โ Honestly, who could argue with that? Popโs legacy is like trying to describe Jordanโs hang time โ some things are just beyond words.
The League’s Love for Pop
Across the NBA, coaches are sending their well-wishes. Popovich, inducted into the Hall of Fame in August 2023, is reportedly doing okay and just needs some rest. Clippers coach Ty Lue, before their matchup with the Spurs, said, โI donโt know whatโs going on, but I said prayers. Hopefully, heโs well and has a speedy recovery. Popโs been so much to our game, to us coaches. Anytime we meet, heโs the one leading the charge.โ
Popโs influence stretches far beyond the court. Lue added, โHe speaks out on politics. Heโs the guy we follow and listen to. Heโs got our backs, as well as the playersโ. So, hopefully, he has a speedy recovery.โ
Popovichโs career is nothing short of legendary, boasting 1,390 victories and another 170 postseason wins, along with five NBA titles. This 2024-25 season marks his 29th year with the Spurs. Speaking of trades, did you catch that wild Curry rumor?
As we wait for Pop to return, one question lingers: How will the Spurs fare without their iconic leader at the helm?
