After 29 years under legendary head coach Gregg Popovich, the San Antonio Spurs are entering a new era.
The San Antonio Spurs, on May 2, did something that most NBA fans have never seen them do before: they hired a head coach.
After Gregg Popovich became skipper in 1996, he held that position for 29 seasons. He won more games than anyone, five titles, and was named Coach of the Year three times. As the coach of the only major sports team, he was the face of not only the Spurs but the city of San Antonio itself.
The Spurs promoted Mitch Johnson, who served as acting head coach for much of last season, to head coach last week. He has massive shoes to fill, but he seems to have the trust of Victor Wembanyama.
Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty ImagesVictor Wembanyama has bought into Spurs’ values
Every team in the NBA claims to have a unique culture, but only two teams have had their chain virtually unbroken for the better part of two decades: the Spurs and the Miami Heat.
While Miami values grit, hard work, and playing mean, the Spurs value teamwork, discipline, and trust. Both franchises have won multiple banners while playing under those guiding pillars, so both, clearly, work.
Popovich has long stood out for trusting his players, downplaying his role, and deferring to the team when needed. Wembanyama has quickly emerged as the franchise centerpiece moving forward, and it’s clear he vouched for Johnson to take over instead of a more seasoned coaching candidate, although he, like Pop, downplayed the role he had.
“I trust the organization,” Wembanyama said during his end-of-season press conference. “I trust Pop to do all he can to come back, to get his energy back. And I also trust Mitch to grow into that role. So, I think we’re in good hands.”
As players, even those who never played for the Spurs, reflect on what Popovich means to them and the league as a whole, Wembanyama is hoping the transition will be as seamless as possible.
“We’re supporting each other all throughout the organization,” he continued. “I’m ready for anything, and I know the organization will make good decisions.”
Spurs’ culture will persist under Wembanyama
The Spurs have had their fair share of superstars, although none of them have boasted the global appeal of Wembanyama. The Spurs built their dynasty on the back of Tim Duncan, one of the most humble stars the league has ever seen.
Wembanyama, like Duncan, values team success more than anything else, although he doesn’t shy away from the media and endorsements.
Still, the on-court culture fostered by Duncan and Popovich is alive and well. Wembanyama grew up idolizing Tony Parker and the ‘Beautiful Game’ Spurs, and Parker, Duncan, Popovich, David Robinson, and Manu Ginobili are all frequent guests at the Victory Capital Performance Center, where the Spurs train.
Johnson has been with the team since 2019 and is very familiar with the standards of excellence the organization has, but with Wembanyama’s endorsement, there is faith he can lead the team for the next decade or more.
Perhaps the most important Spurs’ value is continuity.