No matter how they conduct themselves this offseason, the plan remains the same: build around Victor Wembanyama<\/a>. The Spurs have had more than their fair share of superstars, although Wembanyama is easily the most transformative and unique player to ever play in San Antonio<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n George Gervin, the Spurs\u2019 first superstar, heaped praise on Wembanyama, but he has one major concern about his career.<\/p>\n For 29 seasons, Gregg Popovich<\/a> manned the sidelines in San Antonio. He won his first title on the backs of David Robinson and Tim Duncan, and went on to win four more, as well as win more games than any coach in league history.<\/p>\n Along the way, he turned overlooked players Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili, and Dejounte Murray, among others, into All-Stars<\/a>, and became synonymous with winning.<\/p>\n After the Spurs landed the first overall pick in 2023, Popovich signed a five-year extension, although a stroke and further medical complications ended his coaching career, with him officially retiring last month. <\/p>\n Popovich will remain with the Spurs as President of Basketball Operations and will continue to play a massive part in Wembanyama\u2019s development<\/a>, but the transition away from Pop will be hard for both the young star and the organization.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sad that Pop is gone, but I think Pop left him in good hands, and Pop\u2019s still going to be around,\u201d said Gervin on Fanduel\u2019s Run It Back, before heaping Wemby with praise.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a special individual,\u201d Gervin said. \u201cI mean, next two years if he stays healthy, y\u2019all know he could really be the face [of the league]. He got the personality, man. He got the morals, and he expressed himself really well.\u201d<\/p>\n While the Spurs will certainly miss Popovich on the sidelines and in the locker room, Wembanyama spent the vast majority of his second season under Mitch Johnson<\/a>, who was promoted to head coach with Popovich\u2019s support.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Wembanyama has had success with many coaches<\/p>\n![\"San](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2147112100-941x627.jpg\")
Photo by Tyler Kaufman\/Getty ImagesGervin wants to see Wemby succeed without Popovich<\/p>\n