{"id":15212,"date":"2025-05-07T05:24:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T05:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/15212\/"},"modified":"2025-05-07T05:24:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T05:24:15","slug":"gregg-popovich-at-spurs-introductory-news-conference-for-mitch-johnson-its-time-to-make-this-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/15212\/","title":{"rendered":"Gregg Popovich at Spurs introductory news conference for Mitch Johnson: ‘It’s time to make this change’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Mitch Johnson has been an assistant coach for Gregg Popovich since the 2019-20 season.<\/p>\n

SAN ANTONIO (AP) \u2014 Mitch Johnson extended his hand. Gregg Popovich shook it, then pulled him in for a hug instead.<\/p>\n

And with that, the torch was officially passed.\u00a0It\u2019s a new era in San Antonio.<\/p>\n

Popovich spoke publicly Monday for the first time since suffering a stroke six months ago, saying at the news conference where the\u00a0Spurs introduced Johnson as his replacement\u00a0that the time was right to make that move.<\/p>\n

passing of the torch \ud83e\udd1d pic.twitter.com\/tjmR9v1Qj2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThings are getting better by the day, but it\u2019s not good enough for what we plan ahead,\u201d Popovich said. \u201cSo, it\u2019s time to make this change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flanked by Spurs greats Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili as he stood at a lectern, the 76-year-old Popovich \u2014 speaking far more softly than he has in the past \u2014 said his health is improving and that he fully believes in Johnson.<\/p>\n

Popovich will remain with the Spurs as team president, and the leadership of the team \u2014 including CEO R.C. Buford and general manager Brian Wright \u2014 isn\u2019t changing. Nor will the team\u2019s ideals, Popovich said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the goal, to make sure we keep it going,\u201d Popovich said, adding that he will do everything he can to help Johnson going forward.<\/p>\n

Popovich removed his jacket before bringing Johnson to the podium, revealing a T-shirt with his new title: \u201cEl jefe,\u201d it said, the Spanish phrase for \u201cthe boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m no longer coach,\u201d Popovich said. \u201cI\u2019m \u2018El Jefe.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u0336p\u0336r\u0336e\u0336s\u0336i\u0336d\u0336e\u0336n\u0336t\u0336 \u0336o\u0336f\u0336 \u0336b\u0336a\u0336s\u0336k\u0336e\u0336t\u0336b\u0336a\u0336l\u0336l\u0336 \u0336o\u0336p\u0336e\u0336r\u0336a\u0336t\u0336i\u0336o\u0336n\u0336s\u0336 El Jefe \ud83e\udee1 pic.twitter.com\/VxDnCLoBsF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Johnson took his seat at a microphone moments later, not before Popovich reminded those present that \u201che\u2019s going to do a great job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson looked in Popovich\u2019s direction and took a deep breath. \u201cI am honored by this opportunity and even more humbled by the people that I\u2019ll be able to partner with and serve,\u201d the new coach of the Spurs said.<\/p>\n

Popovich\u2019s public appearance\u00a0was a bit of a surprise. Surrounded by a slew of Spurs past and present \u2014 Victor Wembanyama leading the way \u2014 Popovich walked into the practice facility shortly before managing partner Peter J. Holt spoke to open the news conference.<\/p>\n

Holt struggled to get words out at times, the emotion of the day very clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t be him or \u2018El Jefe,\u2019\u201d Johnson said when asked what he\u2019ll take from Popovich. \u201cBut to be able to commit and invest in people and relationships \u2014 that can be having to yell and hold someone accountable, and that can be to put your arm around someone\u2019s shoulder and love them \u2014 and he did it better than anybody that\u2019s ever walked the sidelines. And I will attempt to do it my way, whatever that looks like going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Popovich \u2014 the NBA\u2019s all-time wins leader, someone who coached the Spurs from 1996 until now and won five NBA titles in that span \u2014 spoke for about seven minutes, starting by cracking a few jokes, not uncommon for him.<\/p>\n

He also turned reflective, at times even a bit emotional. He suffered the stroke on Nov. 2, hours before the Spurs were playing the Minnesota Timberwolves that night. Johnson took over as acting coach for the final 77 games of the season and his promotion was formally announced Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can never express the gratitude that I have for so many people caring about the organization and sending me thoughts and prayers, that sort of thing, since I had this stroke,\u201d Popovich said.<\/p>\n

Popovich also thanked several of those involved in his rehabilitation, some of whom were at Monday\u2019s news conference at the team\u2019s The Rock at La Cantera training facility.<\/p>\n

\u201cTimmy and Manu have been here for all of my workouts here at the Rock,\u201d Popovich said. \u201cThey say it\u2019s because they love me and they want to be there in case I fall and they want to catch me, that sort of thing. I call it payback. They give the rehab people new ideas for things to do to me. They\u2019re not fooling anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Popovich thanked former players and coaches for being there, and noted that everyone in the Spurs organization \u2014 including the in-game time-out performers, those in the ticket office, custodians, window-washers and more \u2014 plays a role in the team\u2019s success. He also lauded the fans for their years of support, and vowed that the Spurs won\u2019t let them down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all have a part in this,\u201d Popovich said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just the players and the coaches.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Spurs\u2019 core principles \u2014 doing things the right way, honoring continuity, always welcoming former players back into the fold \u2014 will remain in place, Johnson said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe theme of the book isn\u2019t changing,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n