Following the season-ending injury diagnosis of San Antonio Spurs player Victor Wembanyama, famous head coach Gregg Popovich will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season, according to ESPN.
Now the issue is, will Popovich ever return to the NBA bench?
That choice will most likely be based on how far the NBA’s all-time winningest head coach has come in his recovery program.
It would be devastating if Popovich’s brilliant career did not conclude on his own terms, but everyone connected to the Spurs organization will tell you that Popovich’s health is the top issue.
Johnson is likely to remain the Spurs’ head coach as Popovich concentrates on his health.
Before the Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans faced off in New Orleans, acting head coach Mitch Johnson was asked if there was a definitive answer on whether he’d finish the season as head coach.
“We’ve talked about from when this first happened — Pop’s health is the priority, and that I would be coaching when he was away,” Johnson claimed. “I haven’t asked for anything but the support I’ve received, and it’s been fantastic. At this moment, everything is the same.”
With less than 30 games remaining in the 2024-25 NBA season, it makes sense for the 38-year-old to continue in charge.
There is built-in continuity with Johnson, who has been a Spurs assistant since 2019 and has steadied the team with a slightly improved winning percentage (.448) since replacing Popovich.
Johnson keeps the Spurs stabilized.
In 49 games, Johnson has dealt with major player injuries while integrating new and young players like as rookie Stephon Castle, future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, and all-star point guard De’Aaron Fox. He has also dealt with the emotional impact of losing Popovich and Wembanyama for the season.
“There’s been some really unique challenges this year, but every year has challenges,” according to Johnson. “The players have really made it rewarding to try to work with and fight through some of this stuff.”
Johnson comments on the transition to head coach and thanks his great support structure.
When asked about the transition from supporting cast member to man in command, Johnson stated he is still unsure if he has been able to digest anything.
“I don’t know if I know yet,” Johnson admitted. “I’m fortunate that I have a great support system at home with my family, the organization has been everything you could ask for and more, from the whole family to R.C. (Buford) and Brian (Wright), to my staff, to the rest of the support staff, the medical, and everybody throughout and the players.”
Throughout the transition, Johnson has relied on his unwavering passion for the game.
“I have four kids, so it’s a balance, but I love basketball,” Johnson stated. “My father played. It’s been a family business in some shape or fashion for me my entire life, and I enjoyed it so much that I stopped playing other sports earlier than my parents desired because I realized I had a fatal pull to it.”
Finding a winning formula sans Wembanyama.
The Spurs are in a difficult situation right now.
There is no doubt that the organization has a bright future. However, if the Spurs intend to make a postseason run as promised, they will need to compensate for the size loss caused by Wembanyama’s season-ending injury.
“It is going to be, whether it’s schematically or line ups or different rotations, trying to get different combinations or maybe players closer to the rim for rebounds,” Johnson told me. “That will be something that’s going to be a point of emphasis for us regardless of who we play.”
Johnson also stated that he will use a simple coaching method: challenge the guys.
“Sometimes you teach how to get through a situation, and sometimes we’re not going to teach you how to get through the door; you just got to run through the wall,” Johnson joked. “Sometimes that’s the rebounding part where you just say, ‘Hey, you perimeter people need to get” x “amount of rebounds or so-and-so’s got this guy tonight.'”
“It’ll be some part scheme on our end, and then part just got to get it done on the player’s end.”
If the Spurs don’t win consistently and fall out of the play-in race, they will have to think about the future, favoring player rest and trading victories for better standing in the forthcoming 2025 NBA Draft, which will feature Duke standout Cooper Flagg.
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