Shams: Mitch Johnson Named Spurs New Head Coach

[spurraider21]

We have a budding megastar and are entrusting the development of said star and team around him with a rookie head coach. So far we haven’t really stray from Pop schematically particularly on defense where we have been outdated for years.

it’s incredibly concerning. On one hand i hope this is a very short leash but on the other hand are there going to be head coaches available a year from now who can rival the ones who were there to be had right now?

i just can’t get behind it

[poopbox]

We have a budding megastar and are entrusting the development of said star and team around him with a rookie head coach. So far we haven’t really stray from Pop schematically particularly on defense where we have been outdated for years.

it’s incredibly concerning. On one hand i hope this is a very short leash but on the other hand are there going to be head coaches available a year from now who can rival the ones who were there to be had right now?

i just can’t get behind it

Worked pretty well for OKC.

[gilmor2002]

some of you just like to bitch and moan before things are even played out. it's what you did when we traded dillingham and people kept saying stuff like "castle willl suck, we should have gotten Reed." it's one thing to be disappointed that they didn't pursue other options, I kinda am. but you have idiots saying things like "the spurs will not make the playoffs again", "wemby will leave", " and its always form the same band of morons.

youre acting like the spurs didn't improve by 12 wins from last year and also started making progress when both wemby and fox were shut down. and don't bring up that teams were mailing it in already, the spurs were also suppose to be tanking and people here get bitching that they were getting late season wins because maybe just maybe they might eventually figure things out.

they come back next year with fox for a full season, improved castle, and hoping vassell will stay healthy if they keep him, and some other upgrades through the draft and free agency and you can believe they will be better. the west is tough but we're not ruining our chances already because we decided to keep Mitch. :lol

all this is useless anyway if wemby isn't healthy.

Dont even put Vassell in the same sentence as those other guys.. Vassell is a failure.

[ambchang]

Not the biggest fan of this but he’s number 4 or 5 of my coaches want list, with Jenkins being available and Becky being a possible get. I’d also like Vogel and synder before him but that’s me.

The offensive schemes was actually decent last year given the circumstances, it’s the defensive schemes I have issues with going in the new year. We will see how it rolls.

The spurs are running about 2 years behind schedule.

Wembys rookie season was supposed to be a play in year. We weren’t close. This year is supposed to be a playoff year, we were on track for playin before wemby got hurt. So I guess this year we can realistically make playin with a stretch goal of making the playoffs.

I hope the developmental staff gets revamped and there are clear directions and roles for the team. Hold fhe players, especially the young ones, accountable.

[exstatic]

Not the biggest fan of this but he’s number 4 or 5 of my coaches want list, with Jenkins being available and Becky being a possible get. I’d also like Vogel and synder before him but that’s me.

The offensive schemes was actually decent last year given the circumstances, it’s the defensive schemes I have issues with going in the new year. We will see how it rolls.

The spurs are running about 2 years behind schedule.

Wembys rookie season was supposed to be a play in year. We weren’t close. This year is supposed to be a playoff year, we were on track for playin before wemby got hurt. So I guess this year we can realistically make playin with a stretch goal of making the playoffs.

I hope the developmental staff gets revamped and there are clear directions and roles for the team. Hold fhe players, especially the young ones, accountable.

The defensive scheme is Victor Wembanyama, and he played around 50 games.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Did y'all see Buffett say he's sticking around Berkshire Hathaway this weekend? Or is he handing the keys over and walking away?

Figure it out, Pop shouldn't be anywhere in the building or picking who succeeds him.

[spursistan]

I thought Hardy was gettable if Spurs made him a call. Here, it seems that it boiled down to Mitch's being Pop's guy all along, and him being the one most familiar with the young players roster having overseen their drafting since 2019 (KJ. Devin, Sochan, Wemby, Castle).. .

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1919392222199357519

[spursistan]

^^ Can't blame Will Hardy; he got the bag first just in case they miss out on Cooper Flagg and he gets stuck in Utah :lol

[spursistan]

They were a solid defensive team with Wembanyama on the floor, terrible with him off which makes sense considering the lack of a credible backup center/positional size in general.

Yeah, "too nice" or lack of commanding presence is my concern. It's not only with the players, but if necessary, Pop too.

Tactically, all these coaches know and mostly utilize the same stuff, tailored to their personnel, with a dash of preference thrown in, of course. They wouldn't sniff the NBA otherwise.

By far the most important thing is that they fix (size, shooting, physicality) the roster this off season. Do that and like any coach, they'll make him look good.
You know who suffered from this drawback, TD? Brad Stevens, a great young X & O coach, whose laidback, 'choir boy' appearance was said to not have commanded enough respect in the Celtics locker-room.. When he stepped down to go upstairs and become the GM, i remember reading reports about instances of Marcus Smart walking all over him. Not surprising the latter got shipped shortly after Stevens assumed authority. Granted, Spurs don't have loose canons and players with cancerous tendencies on the roster, but it's something to keep an eye on as it's usually becomes an issue/factor when the goings get tough and you need a galvanizing force on the sidelines in addition to your best player(s) having such attribute..

[cutewizard]

Let's just give him a chance gentlemen

[Leetonidas]

Intro presser on now

[jeebus]

Let's just give him a chance gentlemen

Hell naw, let them keep going. this forum needs to keep it's reputation as Shitty Takes Central.

[Leetonidas]

Pop looks rough

[The Truth #6]

We all realize he's been coaching the team already, right? It's not like people don't have a reason for their comments. People liked him in the beginning for making some modernizations that Pop wouldn't consider but the honeymoon wore off. I just hope he makes adjustments or is able to make adjustments.

[BatManu20]

Pop can barely fucking walk. Insane that this guy was our HC just a few months ago.

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[Leetonidas]

Pop can barely fucking walk. Insane that this guy was our HC just a few months ago.

1919426274797269144

Jesus christ. It's criminal the spurs are letting him continue as POBO. He is clearly not in the shape to be running a franchise

[BatManu20]

Mitch introductory press conference for anyone interested. Pop speaks as well and his voice sounds pretty rough. His health is clearly failing him.

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[Mugen]

Pop can barely fucking walk. Insane that this guy was our HC just a few months ago.

1919426274797269144

F'n rough man. Pop should have retired years ago. Hope he continues to get better tbh but this is tough to watch.

[BatManu20]

Jesus christ. It's criminal the spurs are letting him continue as POBO. He is clearly not in the shape to be running a franchise

Yea hopefully this is a Joe Biden situation where he's just the face of the operation but not actually the brains. He can have his input, but we need young, innovative basketball minds leading our Front Office. Pop looks and sounds like he should be in a nursing home. Guy literally needs a wheelchair to get around right now. Just a wild situation all around.

[BatManu20]

Side note: Dejounte Murray is in attendance at Mitch's presser. Pop addresses him and thanks him for being there when he speaks. Pretty cool of him tbh.

[ffadicted]

Sad to see Pop like that :( Rest easy big man.
Can't see how he'd be able to be the president of basketball operations in that state. Hopefully it's a honorary title...

[BatManu20]

Rough.

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[emanueldavidginobili]

1919424838470398316

here’s the video of him walking in. Dejounte shown towards the end, really awesome he showed up.

[Ice009]

When it happened, they said it wasn't that bad. I thought that it was more precautionary - the pressure of the job, travelling and all that might be more a precaution for him to quit and move to the front office to not have anything happen.

How was he driving around like this, or was it maybe the incident at the restaurant that made it worse? We still don't know what the incident was and/or how serious that was? Maybe he was doing a lot better before then?

Also, really, really great of Dejounte to show up. I actually was interested in getting him back at some point before the Spurs traded for De'Aaron. Not sure if you guys think he would have fit the current roster? I haven't really watched him play much since he left. Just box scores and stats.

[Raven]

LeBron won in Year 8. Durant won in year 10. Just because YOU want it in year 3,that doesn’t make it the norm.

won isn't competing.

[Maddog]

Side note: Dejounte Murray is in attendance at Mitch's presser. Pop addresses him and thanks him for being there when he speaks. Pretty cool of him tbh.

Evidently Mitch helped him in High School
https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fdejounte-murray-on-ig-v0-1wczkkunpu5e1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D640%26crop%3Dsmart%26a uto%3Dwebp%26s%3Db7e3092f21d4cabf42782ae7f2797b6dc 503b10a

[Maddog]

Side note: Dejounte Murray is in attendance at Mitch's presser. Pop addresses him and thanks him for being there when he speaks. Pretty cool of him tbh.

Evidently Mitch helped him in High School
https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fdejounte-murray-on-ig-v0-1wczkkunpu5e1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D640%26crop%3Dsmart%26a uto%3Dwebp%26s%3Db7e3092f21d4cabf42782ae7f2797b6dc 503b10a

[spurraider21]

Rough.

1919431612573385133
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTm_f7ey3_H7yNl51xCd5JldXk16icnx _V59Q&s

[scottspurs]

Pop needs to retire! That was rough to watch! Was glad to see he still has some humor in him but physically he has a ways to go. I’m hoping the President of Basketball OPs role is more to get him a paycheck and that he won’t actually be making important decisions. Some helpful pointers here and there or advice but no decision making.

[BatManu20]

Evidently Mitch helped him in High School
https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fdejounte-murray-on-ig-v0-1wczkkunpu5e1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D640%26crop%3Dsmart%26a uto%3Dwebp%26s%3Db7e3092f21d4cabf42782ae7f2797b6dc 503b10a

Correct. They have a history. Dejounte back to the Spurs in a backup PG role when his contract is up in 2028 confirmed.

1918359314189959184

[RC_Drunkford]

It was tough to watch Pop like this. The old man still got jokes, the El Jefe shirt was hilarious, but he‘s physically not right at all. That look on his face hurt me the most. It‘s dope that Manu and Tim are helping him with the rehab and DJ came by.

[LeBowen]

Wrote about it when it first happened, last year I had a family member going through the same situation, the expectations of Pop ever getting back to coaching were delusional.
He's better mentally than physically, at that age the body just stops listening.

That was still a really rough watch. Looking at everyone who showed up, we can joke about the family values bringing us down all we want, but very few other organizations would have something like this happen.

[thOOdee]

yuh, prayers out to pop. You can definitely see the degradation. I'm sure his advice and opinions still hold weight, but to those who swear he's going to have his finger on every button and micromanage the hell out of mitch, I just don't see it. Mitch deserves a real shot, and if he fails hire cp3.

[BatManu20]

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[vy65]

1919467966061494524

UgkvcWx8oXw

Feels oddly appropriate.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Sad to see Pop like that. I've been following this team for 30 years and never hated anything more than watching this press conference. I want to remember him as the badass mofo he was when he was screaming at everybody.

Anyway, whoever thought there was even a tiny chance he'd come back to coach has never seen a stroke victim. Good for you.

Whoever thinks he's going to dictate or affect Mitch's coaching is out of touch with reality too.

[Mugen]

Nice to see DJ show some support.

I hope I'm wrong about Mitch tbh.

[rjv]

i'm still baffled as to why the Spurs didn't interview any of the refulgent basketball minds on this site who would have won infinitely more games than not just Mitch, but Pop himself.

[drpill]

Seeing Pop like that was gut-wrenching. It puts a lot in perspective. I'm sure this whole situation was a lot harder on the team and the organization than anyone really let on. Honestly, it makes sense that they would keep Mitch on given the circumstances. It may not be the best basketball move, but then again who knows how it might work out -- but the point is probably more to ensure continuity for the organization and players while everyone is still coping with what happened.

[dn0774]

Has there been any info regarding new HC Mitch's contract? I know the Spurs usually don't release that info but agents typically leak it (especially when they feel their client got a good contract).

[poopbox]

I guess people who are saying this was hard to watch have never been around an older person who had a stroke. I have and he looked and sounded exactly like they did.

At least we know the organization really believes in Mitch and he won't get a quick trigger, for better or worst. Pop wouldn't have shown up at all if that wasn't the case.

Him and Timmy built this organization to what it has come to represent. If Mitch is good enough for the old man, he's good enough for me.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Tough to watch a once strong and proud vocal leader reduced to a feeble and enervated state. Manu and Tim have showed how truly selfless they are though out there career to even now taking care of pop. Enrique on the other hand….

[poopbox]

When it happened, they said it wasn't that bad. I thought that it was more precautionary - the pressure of the job, travelling and all that might be more a precaution for him to quit and move to the front office to not have anything happen.

How was he driving around like this, or was it maybe the incident at the restaurant that made it worse? We still don't know what the incident was and/or how serious that was? Maybe he was doing a lot better before then?

Also, really, really great of Dejounte to show up. I actually was interested in getting him back at some point before the Spurs traded for De'Aaron. Not sure if you guys think he would have fit the current roster? I haven't really watched him play much since he left. Just box scores and stats.

Would much rather have Dejounte that Devin tbh.

[cutewizard]

https://youtu.be/pWmFuU5xSdU?si=hwT3jfdDeiMQl3Rq

[cutewizard]

https://youtu.be/RPF141A6LKY?si=uxI66V5AHnDN8CZu

[Jordan Jackson]

People needed to see that to truly understand Pop is not coming back. He had a stroke. He was never coming back. If you’ve had the misfortune of this happening to a family member you knew he wasn’t coming back too.

That was not a mild stroke. I’m just happy he is still here with us and hope he improves to a point where he can enjoy life. He’s a good man.

Mitch is going to be fine. They do need to improve the roster to give him a fighting chance though.

[DPG21920]

I am excited about Mitch. Spurs and Pop know coaches and for them to be this confident in him is a good sign. I really didnt want a re-tread personally so just that alone makes me happy.

[itzsoweezee]

Good luck to Mitch. I hope he make this his team.

[Atl Spur]

Was great to see Pop! I wish under better circumstances but thankful god allowed him to stay alive and hopefully enjoy his family. His position is only in name, there’s no need for him to give any of us anymore time he has left. Salute to that man & god bless! The Becky Hammond hof speech mentioning him will make you cry so don’t watch it…..I didn’t! lol

[slick'81]

Pop did not look good. We all get old but man:depressed

[Robz4000]

I'll never get over how much Mitch looks like Pennywise from It tbh.

[spurraider21]

Pop did not look good. We all get old but man:depressed
guy suffered a stroke. while the game had somewhat passed him by, obviously he was nothing like this early in the season when he was on the bench

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

On the coaching thing. Today we saw a great coach completely losing any sense and singlehandedly losing an important playoff game for his team. What Daigneault did was worse than any bad decision Mitch has done all season long. Doesn't make him a bad coach.

Point is, Mitch deserves a chance and even if you thought there were better coaches to be had he still doesn't deserve being piled on for the first mistake he makes next season. Which will happen.

[SpursGenius]

I have never been a Greg pop fan. But I will refrain from saying anything negative at this time after seeing such a sick man. Hope he improves to full capacity.

[RC_Drunkford]

at this point we just gotta hope Mitch steps up to the occasion and proves he belongs. I hope that lights a fire under him. The main thing I want to see from our coach is the hunger to win by all means neccessary and we need to get back to having a system that makes players excel.

[ambchang]

The defensive scheme is Victor Wembanyama, and he played around 50 games.

That would be a problem if the entire defense is just wemby and it falls apart without him. Even when healthy he plays 30 mins a game.

[Ice009]

I am excited about Mitch. Spurs and Pop know coaches and for them to be this confident in him is a good sign. I really didnt want a re-tread personally so just that alone makes me happy.

Does anyone remember when Pop took over? I think the players really liked Pop and wanted him to be the coach back then. It seems that they players really like Mitch more than I thought based on what we've heard since Pop stepped down and Mitch got the job. Maybe it could turn out much better than some of us are thinking? Pop's first season was filled with injuries and he took over midway through, Mitch has had to do something similar. The team didn't have the level of injuries the Spurs had when Pop took over, but also Pop's team without injuries was expected to make the playoffs and go deep, whereas the team Mitch took over, was only expected to fight for the play-in, so really, couldn't afford any injuries. I'm now starting to believe in Mitch a lot more and am excited to see what he can do next season with hopefully a much better and fully healthy team. He also needs time to implement his stuff during the off-season and I hope he does lots of changes defensively and implements his stuff on offense.

[dbestpro]

Only Bob Weiss had a lower win percentage than Johnson, who has coached over 40 games in Spurs history. I am not optimistic.

[bigfan]

I remember Weiss was there waiting for David to finish his Navy time and that explains his record. As for Mitch, he is smart, has the team behind him and I think he will be just fine. Hoping he get some great assistants too.

[ambchang]

Does anyone remember when Pop took over? I think the players really liked Pop and wanted him to be the coach back then. It seems that they players really like Mitch more than I thought based on what we've heard since Pop stepped down and Mitch got the job. Maybe it could turn out much better than some of us are thinking? Pop's first season was filled with injuries and he took over midway through, Mitch has had to do something similar. The team didn't have the level of injuries the Spurs had when Pop took over, but also Pop's team without injuries was expected to make the playoffs and go deep, whereas the team Mitch took over, was only expected to fight for the play-in, so really, couldn't afford any injuries. I'm now starting to believe in Mitch a lot more and am excited to see what he can do next season with hopefully a much better and fully healthy team. He also needs time to implement his stuff during the off-season and I hope he does lots of changes defensively and implements his stuff on offense.

Great comparison. Never really thought of it that way.

It was a while back but I thought there were rumours that the players didn’t like hill Abe wanted him gone. The fans hated the move though and accused pop threw hill under the bus. The 99 season the spurs stated off shaky and rumour was pop would be canned if they lost to Houston that night they were like 6-8 at that point. The players knew and won that game. They ripped off 9 straight and 31-5 the rest of the season, then went 15-2 (was a post season record then before the shaqobe lakers went 15-1 and the warriors went 16-1.

[exstatic]

I remember Weiss was there waiting for David to finish his Navy time and that explains his record. As for Mitch, he is smart, has the team behind him and I think he will be just fine. Hoping he get some great assistants too.

Larry Brown was the coach waiting for DRob.

[BatManu20]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTm_f7ey3_H7yNl51xCd5JldXk16icnx _V59Q&s


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GqPKGxbXoAAHEbO?format=jpg&name=medium

[Mugen]

Should have Kawhi hitting him with the bo staff tbh

[The Truth #6]

Brown lost more in his first season than Weiss did the year before iirc.

[The Truth #6]

Back to Mitch. He has a lot of positive traits. But as superficial as it sounds, having a commanding presence is important with so many alpha males, and that's my concern with Mitch, he might be too nice.

[daslicer]

Back to Mitch. He has a lot of positive traits. But as superficial as it sounds, having a commanding presence is important with so many alpha males, and that's my concern with Mitch, he might be too nice.

This may be true, but I can't think of any current coach right now that has a commanding presence in the NBA. You could say Thibs with the Knicks but outside of him I can't think of anybody. Mike Malone was the only coach that really had that type of presence.

[rjv]

malone may have been too alpha for his own good as it is supposedly one of the reasons for his getting fired; it wasn't working with the older players anymore. pop was able to master that fine line between a father figure and a hard ass coach.

[dn0774]

Yea the days of the Pat Riley disciplinarian style coaches are gone, these filthy rich players are gonna tune that out quick/move on. Today’s league requires a literal psychology degree to manage personalities and motivate each individual in a manner specific to them.

[scott]

I remember Weiss was there waiting for David to finish his Navy time and that explains his record. As for Mitch, he is smart, has the team behind him and I think he will be just fine. Hoping he get some great assistants too.

Underrated point, tbh. I'm hoping the Spurs go hard on quality assistants to help Mitch. I don't love Brett Brown being the only experienced mentor on the bench. Might even be good to get a sharp former player with championship experience to join the staff. Would love if that were Manu, but it's clear he isn't interested in that. But... the next Ime or Kerr would be a nice addition to the staff.

[spursistan]

Perhaps the one aspect that i like about this hiring is that the Spurs get to reduce the generational gap in age between their Coach and their best player (s)..Wemby (21), Castle (20), Fox (27) and Mitch Johnson (38) are only separated by 18 and 11 years respectively, which seems like the right balance for a mentor-understudy rapport. Pop was simply too old (school) for those guys.. Even someone like Budenholzer or Snyder (in their late 50s) would have been a bit old at this point. Mitch is the at same age when Spo took over Miami in 2008 after an equally long stint as assistant/video coordinator..

[The Truth #6]

This may be true, but I can't think of any current coach right now that has a commanding presence in the NBA. You could say Thibs with the Knicks but outside of him I can't think of anybody. Mike Malone was the only coach that really had that type of presence.

I'm not expecting or suggesting anything ridiculous. Nor am I saying he can't evolve into a strong leader. Nor am I saying he should be an asshole. He has most of the traits needed. I'm just saying he needs to be an asshole, so to speak, when needed, and can't only be the smart quiet guy. Just my opinion. I mean, is he going to yell at Victor the way Pop would yell at Tim? It sounds like a stupid detail but to me it's important.

[LeBowen]

I'm not expecting or suggesting anything ridiculous. Nor am I saying he can't evolve into a strong leader. Nor am I saying he should be an asshole. He has most of the traits needed. I'm just saying he needs to be an asshole, so to speak, when needed, and can't only be the smart quiet guy. Just my opinion. I mean, is he going to yell at Victor the way Pop would yell at Tim? It sounds like a stupid detail but to me it's important.

Tbh, the culture is set by the best players. If Wemby and Fox lead by example, others will fall in line, especially since Spurs try to avoid having idiots on the roster.

[RC_Drunkford]

Underrated point, tbh. I'm hoping the Spurs go hard on quality assistants to help Mitch. I don't love Brett Brown being the only experienced mentor on the bench. Might even be good to get a sharp former player with championship experience to join the staff. Would love if that were Manu, but it's clear he isn't interested in that. But... the next Ime or Kerr would be a nice addition to the staff.

would love to have a defensive coach on the staff tbh. Our defense has sucked ever since Ime left.

[Brazil]

I wish Mitch all the best and will root for the guy to do well. I think people on this board are overly harsh with him. He was not prepared to assume the coaching role, he had to deal with injuries, got a new player to acclimate but also not fucking the tank job while giving Castle the chance to earn ROTY award.. all of that in a challenging pop context (dat mild stroke reports were pretty BS, as we have seen yesterday it was actually pretty serious). Starting your coaching career in such scenario is no easy task.

There were more experienced coaches available but this is the Spurs way and hopefully it will be a success. With dat roster healthy, going to the POs is clearly the objective.

[The Truth #6]

Pop wasn't great his first few years. Good, obviously. We won a title. But he learned as he went. Mitch will learn, too. I'm just saying he will have to adapt and get out of his comfort zone.

[ace3g]

https://x.com/MikeAScotto/status/1919858179745169701

https://x.com/Spurs_Nation/status/1919878292439548043

[The Truth #6]

On a tangent, I can see the argument that having another year of CP3 would be helpful with his experience et cetera, guiding the young coach. But I think it's the opposite. I think Mitch leaned on CP3 last year, which is understandable, but this year he needs to get his assistant coaches lined up, and then begin with his own vision.

Now, do I think the FO will change the assistant coaches at all? Probably not one bit. But they should. Continuity only goes so far when we are trending in the wrong direction. A young European coach. An old experienced former NBA head coach. Something.

[Joseph Kony]

welp. we're stuck with him, for better or worse. gotta hope he can show us he actual coaching chops next season and I truly hope he realizes how important a good team defense is and does something to instill it. the constant overhelping and leaving dudes wide open at the three point line philosophy needs to end

interested to see if Mitch gets to fill out his own coaching staff or if we keep the same guys

[exstatic]

welp. we're stuck with him, for better or worse. gotta hope he can show us he actual coaching chops next season and I truly hope he realizes how important a good team defense is and does something to instill it. the constant overhelping and leaving dudes wide open at the three point line philosophy needs to end

interested to see if Mitch gets to fill out his own coaching staff or if we keep the same guys

I think Bret Brown leaves. He wasn’t the top assistant, and seemed to be there to keep Pop company. Not a coaching move, but it wouldn’t shock me if Will Sevening left,since only Pop probably kept him from leaving before.

[spurraider21]

failing upwards is fun

[Obstructed_View]

I think Bret Brown leaves. He wasn’t the top assistant, and seemed to be there to keep Pop company. Not a coaching move, but it wouldn’t shock me if Will Sevening left,since only Pop probably kept him from leaving before.
Good. Assistant coaches have been utter shit for several years. Mitch would be wise to hire all new assistants who are better coaches than he is.

[Ice009]

I think Bret Brown leaves. He wasn’t the top assistant, and seemed to be there to keep Pop company. Not a coaching move, but it wouldn’t shock me if Will Sevening left,since only Pop probably kept him from leaving before.

If I am remembering right, didn't Mitch say in the introduction that he leaned on Brett Brown the most? Seemed like he was very tight with Brett Brown. I kind of didn't like hearing that as Brett's teams haven't had the best records (not that it's all Brett's fault on those tanking Philadelphia teams).

[scott]

On a tangent, I can see the argument that having another year of CP3 would be helpful with his experience et cetera, guiding the young coach. But I think it's the opposite. I think Mitch leaned on CP3 last year, which is understandable, but this year he needs to get his assistant coaches lined up, and then begin with his own vision.

Now, do I think the FO will change the assistant coaches at all? Probably not one bit. But they should. Continuity only goes so far when we are trending in the wrong direction. A young European coach. An old experienced former NBA head coach. Something.

Well at a very minimum I do think they'll add at least one more assistant, since right now the staff is short one assistant that Pop started with last year (that being Mitch). And I seem to recall Pop having more assistants in the past. Right now the staff is only Mitch, Brett Brown, Matt Nielsen, and Will Sevening which is light.

I do think that Mitch would really benefit by having some more vets on the team, with or without CP3. If they bring back the same team less CP3 and add two rookies - that's a tough ask of Mitch. Any coach benefits from having solid vets on the team, but especially a young inexperienced coach like Mitch.

[LeBowen]

I wouldn't mind another year of CP3 if he's limited to ~15 minutes and mutually exclusive with Fox.
We need at least one more well respected veteran, either backup PG or C, depending on how the draft goes.

[SpursBills]

Does Pop stepping down as head coach affect his $16 million/year contract at all? Just wondering if the difference in salaries between Pop and Mitch mean that the Spurs FO has more money to throw at quality assistant coaches to fill out Mitch's staff.

[tonight...you]

Does Pop stepping down as head coach affect his $16 million/year contract at all? Just wondering if the difference in salaries between Pop and Mitch mean that the Spurs FO has more money to throw at quality assistant coaches to fill out Mitch's staff.
There is no salary cap on coaches.
Either the Owners are willing to pay for top coaching talent to maximize the roster, or they're not.

[daslicer]

I'm not expecting or suggesting anything ridiculous. Nor am I saying he can't evolve into a strong leader. Nor am I saying he should be an asshole. He has most of the traits needed. I'm just saying he needs to be an asshole, so to speak, when needed, and can't only be the smart quiet guy. Just my opinion. I mean, is he going to yell at Victor the way Pop would yell at Tim? It sounds like a stupid detail but to me it's important.


I'm not even saying Mitch is a good or bad signing but I'm saying there is no current coach in the NBA that fits the mold of a guy that can be an asshole when needed. Name me any coach currently in the playoffs that has the ability to be an asshole when needed? I don't see it.

[ismael-robert]

He was directed to tank n he followed instructions. Geeze give the guy a break it wasn't a real season

[RC_Drunkford]

If I am remembering right, didn't Mitch say in the introduction that he leaned on Brett Brown the most? Seemed like he was very tight with Brett Brown. I kind of didn't like hearing that as Brett's teams haven't had the best records (not that it's all Brett's fault on those tanking Philadelphia teams).

yes, he did. As usual exstatic is not watching or reading anything, but just making stuff up

[SpursBills]

There is no salary cap on coaches.
Either the Owners are willing to pay for top coaching talent to maximize the roster, or they're not.

I think they're too cheap to pay for top coaching talent unless they're getting savings from elsewhere. That's why I wonder if Pop is still getting paid what he is as just POBO now that he's stepped down as coach.

[exstatic]

I'm not even saying Mitch is a good or bad signing but I'm saying there is no current coach in the NBA that fits the mold of a guy that can be an asshole when needed. Name me any coach currently in the playoffs that has the ability to be an asshole when needed? I don't see it.

Kerr.

[Russ]

https://youtu.be/pWmFuU5xSdU?si=hwT3jfdDeiMQl3Rq

It's time for irrational hope on many fronts.

[Jordan Jackson]

Coaches aren’t running around yelling at their players anymore. This ain’t the 1990s. That’s not a sign of strength or leadership either. Players want you to be truthful and treat everyone fairly.

Mitch should choose his staff with the front offices’ help.

Off the top of my head - you’re only allowed 4 front of bench assistants. And then you can have as many as you want behind the bench. Pretty sure Spurs have additional assistant coaches they just carry different titles.

I think Brett is safe as long as he wants to be here. He is “Spurs Family”.

And why would they fire Will Sevening? He’s the team’s athletic trainer not an assistant.

At the end of the day, it won’t matter who is coaching this team until they fix this roster.

[The Truth #6]

I'm not even saying Mitch is a good or bad signing but I'm saying there is no current coach in the NBA that fits the mold of a guy that can be an asshole when needed. Name me any coach currently in the playoffs that has the ability to be an asshole when needed? I don't see it.

Pop for starters (Edit- didn't see the playoff part, he gained respect from players for yelling at Tim, so I think it still has validity in small doses. which is all I've been saying.)).

Coaches totally can turn it on and off imo. Coaches can start yelling when they want to get ejected for example. Coaching inherently has a performative element to it.

[Seventyniner]

Another good article from The Ringer, with a lot of Popovich content. Number Two with the most relevant quote.

https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/07/nba/gregg-popovich-san-antonio-spurs-nba-coach-addiction


“He coached until pretty much he couldn’t, in a sense,” Leonard told reporters over the weekend. “It shows how much dedication he had to the game, how much he loved the game, and how much he gave to the game.”

Makes me wonder how long Pop would have tried to keep coaching if he hadn't had the stroke.

[daslicer]

Pop for starters (Edit- didn't see the playoff part, he gained respect from players for yelling at Tim, so I think it still has validity in small doses. which is all I've been saying.)).

Coaches totally can turn it on and off imo. Coaches can start yelling when they want to get ejected for example. Coaching inherently has a performative element to it.

Again, you can't name a coach currently in the NBA that can do it. The type of coach you want doesn't exist anymore outside of Mike Malone. I'm not saying yelling isn't effective. I'm saying the type of coach you want no longer exists. It would be great if we could find it but it's not out there. I guess you can say in college a guy like Dan Hurley would be that guy.

[TekXX]

I think it's time to realize that the Spurs aren't coming back anytime soon. We're nothing but a money making investment by rich assholes. We have entered our Jerry Jones era. Fanduel can go fuck themselves next year if they want $20 a month for this crap.

[Splits]

Again, you can't name a coach currently in the NBA that can do it. The type of coach you want doesn't exist anymore outside of Mike Malone. I'm not saying yelling isn't effective. I'm saying the type of coach you want no longer exists. It would be great if we could find it but it's not out there. I guess you can say in college a guy like Dan Hurley would be that guy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqjUFmGiAbU

[The Truth #6]

Again, you can't name a coach currently in the NBA that can do it. The type of coach you want doesn't exist anymore outside of Mike Malone. I'm not saying yelling isn't effective. I'm saying the type of coach you want no longer exists. It would be great if we could find it but it's not out there. I guess you can say in college a guy like Dan Hurley would be that guy.

I think you are mistaking me saying our coach can't be too shy and meek to be effective as somehow saying I'm advocating for Bobby Knight.

Coaching needs different skills and approaches. The fact that Pop would yell at Tim when needed, not every day, and that it's a story told by dozens of different people, suggests to me that, yeah, as a leader sometimes you have to exert dominance. I'm struggling to see how that is controversial.

I don't get your focus on coaches in the playoffs right NOW. That's an arbitrary distinction that to me isn't indicative of the greater point.

[The Truth #6]

I know what didn't work. Steve Nash as a coach. Super nice guy. Tried to lead collaboratively. Didn't want to be too strong of a leader or set boundaries. He got destroyed. Anyway. It's all up to Mitch now to figure out what he needs to do.

[exstatic]

Coaches aren’t running around yelling at their players anymore. This ain’t the 1990s. That’s not a sign of strength or leadership either. Players want you to be truthful and treat everyone fairly.

Mitch should choose his staff with the front offices’ help.

Off the top of my head - you’re only allowed 4 front of bench assistants. And then you can have as many as you want behind the bench. Pretty sure Spurs have additional assistant coaches they just carry different titles.

I think Brett is safe as long as he wants to be here. He is “Spurs Family”.

And why would they fire Will Sevening? He’s the team’s athletic trainer not an assistant.

At the end of the day, it won’t matter who is coaching this team until they fix this roster.

I don’t think anyone said anything about people being fired. My thought was that there are a number of people who stayed for Pop, and he’s no longer the coach. People may move on now.

[exstatic]

Again, you can't name a coach currently in the NBA that can do it. The type of coach you want doesn't exist anymore outside of Mike Malone. I'm not saying yelling isn't effective. I'm saying the type of coach you want no longer exists. It would be great if we could find it but it's not out there. I guess you can say in college a guy like Dan Hurley would be that guy.

Kerr, for the second time.

[scott]

https://youtu.be/pWmFuU5xSdU?si=hwT3jfdDeiMQl3Rq

Mamu in attendance... his return confirmed?!?

[daslicer]

I think you are mistaking me saying our coach can't be too shy and meek to be effective as somehow saying I'm advocating for Bobby Knight.

Coaching needs different skills and approaches. The fact that Pop would yell at Tim when needed, not every day, and that it's a story told by dozens of different people, suggests to me that, yeah, as a leader sometimes you have to exert dominance. I'm struggling to see how that is controversial.

I don't get your focus on coaches in the playoffs right NOW. That's an arbitrary distinction that to me isn't indicative of the greater point.

I don't think you are understanding where I'm coming from. I never said needing a coach to yell at players is controversial. I'm actually in agreement with you that at time it is necessary for a coach to yell at his players to motivate them. What I'm saying is the type of coach that can yell at players in the current NBA when necessary doesn't currently exist. Name me a current NBA coach that can yell at players when it is needed?

[daslicer]

Kerr, for the second time.

Kerr is a push over from what I have seen. This has been the case plenty of times with what he's allowed Draymond to do. I doubt Draymond would have done what he did with Poole if Pop was his coach.

[The Truth #6]

I don't think you are understanding where I'm coming from. I never said needing a coach to yell at players is controversial. I'm actually in agreement with you that at time it is necessary for a coach to yell at his players to motivate them. What I'm saying is the type of coach that can yell at players in the current NBA when necessary doesn't currently exist. Name me a current NBA coach that can yell at players when it is needed?

Ahh, I see. That makes sense.

[ace3g]

As others have said, it will be interesting to see who Mitch's assistant coaches will be.

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1920247239663870274

[The Truth #6]

As others have said, it will be interesting to see who Mitch's assistant coaches will be.

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1920247239663870274

In the spirit of continuity, I wonder if there are Austin Spur coaches that might get elevated.

[ChumpDumper]

In the spirit of continuity, I wonder if there are Austin Spur coaches that might get elevated.
Hiring Scott King couldn't hurt the defense.

[ginobilized]

Mamu in attendance... his return confirmed?!?

I wouldn't argue with that. 6'10 guys who can shoot, pass and create chaos don't grow on trees.
I'm curious what Minix might provide, too. I'd bet he's at least as good as McNeeley.
Long live the friendship coalition.

[The Truth #6]

Hiring Scott King couldn't hurt the defense.

Yeah, who knows, could easily happen.

[HankChinaski]

They have a spot open for an assistant coach with mitch elevated to head coach so they promote or hiring someone outside possibly

[Ice009]

They have a spot open for an assistant coach with mitch elevated to head coach so they promote or hiring someone outside possibly

I would like a former head coach. For example, the Warriors have Terry Stotts on the bench. I think someone that was a good former HC that is willing to be an assistant could be helpful as Mitch is still learning. Not sure if you guys think that sort of option, or someone younger than has a lot of potential like what Memphis had with Tuomas Iisalo as an assistant before he became their HC?

[HankChinaski]

I would like a former head coach. For example, the Warriors have Terry Stotts on the bench. I think someone that was a good former HC that is willing to be an assistant could be helpful as Mitch is still learning. Not sure if you guys think that sort of option, or someone younger than has a lot of potential like what Memphis had with Tuomas Iisalo as an assistant before he became their HC?

Brett Brown is someone he leaned on this season (Mitch) another one to fill a void with offensive / defensive schemes. Former head would be nice

[Ice009]

Brett Brown is someone he leaned on this season (Mitch) another one to fill a void with offensive / defensive schemes. Former head would be nice

Yeah I think it could be a good option. Not sure if I'd want someone that's won a Championship, though, as they might try and step on Mitch's toes. For whatever reason, someone mentioned Jeff Van Gundy earlier, and while I love his defenses, he's terrible with offense, and I don't see why he'd leave the Clippers for a similar role. I was even thinking about his bother (I guess hearing SVG commentate made me think of him) as Stan has coached a franchise big man before in prime Dwight Howard who was a very good defensive player. Stan can maybe help set up the team defense as he's had experience setting up a defense around a great defensive big? Plus Stan is better at coaching offense than Jeff, so he'd at least be able to help Mitch a bit more on that end of the court.

The other option is a former player. Not to keep using the Warriors, but they have Jerry Stackhouse who seems to be doing well for them as even Draymond respects him. Sam Cassell is another option, but not sure he'd want to leave for anything other than a head coaching gig.

[HankChinaski]

I don't think or like either van gundy. I don't think they could coach in this iteration of the NBA and I seriously doubt they would join the spurs.

Bud should consider it. If he could jump on as an assistant and the spurs make a significant jump it would boost his odds in locating a new head coach position sooner

[dn0774]

I don't think or like either van gundy. I don't think they could coach in this iteration of the NBA and I seriously doubt they would join the spurs.

Bud should consider it. If he could jump on as an assistant and the spurs make a significant jump it would boost his odds in locating a new head coach position sooner

It would basically be charity work for Bud as he makes the same money sitting at home the next 3 years.

[MannyIsGod]

Again, you can't name a coach currently in the NBA that can do it. The type of coach you want doesn't exist anymore outside of Mike Malone. I'm not saying yelling isn't effective. I'm saying the type of coach you want no longer exists. It would be great if we could find it but it's not out there. I guess you can say in college a guy like Dan Hurley would be that guy.

LOL, y'all have some weird view of hte NBA that isn't supported by anything other than your weird notions. There are so many videos of people getting yelled at on a daily basis. Coaches yell. Mitch definitely yelled last year.

[Ice009]

I don't think or like either van gundy. I don't think they could coach in this iteration of the NBA and I seriously doubt they would join the spurs.

Bud should consider it. If he could jump on as an assistant and the spurs make a significant jump it would boost his odds in locating a new head coach position sooner

Bud isn't possible. His salary is too much. If he takes another job he loses 10M a year that he's getting paid by the Suns for the next however many years. No assistant or even HC job is likely to pay him that much. Due to being fired twice the past few years, he's not likely to even get a head coaching job for the amount of money he's being paid still by Phoenix.


It would basically be charity work for Bud as he makes the same money sitting at home the next 3 years.

From what Exstatic told me a week or two ago, Bud loses it all if he takes another job. There's no way he'd throw that money away to be an assistant. He used the example of Monty Williams coaching his son's high school team for free as he's getting paid by the Pistons still. Coaches can't make up that sort of money like a player can, so they're not likely to take another job if getting paid that much.

[daslicer]

LOL, y'all have some weird view of hte NBA that isn't supported by anything other than your weird notions. There are so many videos of people getting yelled at on a daily basis. Coaches yell. Mitch definitely yelled last year.

I'm just going to copy and paste my most recent response to the poster I was originally having this conversation with since you just skipped past it and was trigger happy to respond without reading the whole entire conversation. Down below is my response which the poster ended up agreeing with.

I don't think you are understanding where I'm coming from. I never said needing a coach to yell at players is controversial. I'm actually in agreement with you that at time it is necessary for a coach to yell at his players to motivate them. What I'm saying is the type of coach that can yell at players in the current NBA when necessary doesn't currently exist. Name me a current NBA coach that can yell at players when it is needed?

[exstatic]

LOL, y'all have some weird view of hte NBA that isn't supported by anything other than your weird notions. There are so many videos of people getting yelled at on a daily basis. Coaches yell. Mitch definitely yelled last year.

Mitch came to the podium for a post game presser so hoarse he almost couldn’t speak…as INTERIM head coach.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

They need a stud defensive coach and a shooting coach. I know those are two different roles, but they need them.

Defensive coach to bring our strategy into the mid-2020s and out of the 2000s, plus someone who can improve everyone's shooting a couple of points.

[The Truth #6]

Mitch came to the podium for a post game presser so hoarse he almost couldn’t speak…as INTERIM head coach.

I thought I read an article last year that suggested he had some type of dysphonia and the team was researching ways to help him with it.

[HankChinaski]

They need a stud defensive coach and a shooting coach. I know those are two different roles, but they need them.

Defensive coach to bring our strategy into the mid-2020s and out of the 2000s, plus someone who can improve everyone's shooting a couple of points.

They hired a shooting coach Jimmy Baron in 2023

Another assistant coach who specializes in modern defensive schemes would be ideal

Just need to fill out and jettison the roster to be capable of handling and implementing them in a game.

[MannyIsGod]

I'm just going to copy and paste my most recent response to the poster I was originally having this conversation with since you just skipped past it and was trigger happy to respond without reading the whole entire conversation. Down below is my response which the poster ended up agreeing with.

I don't think you are understanding where I'm coming from. I never said needing a coach to yell at players is controversial. I'm actually in agreement with you that at time it is necessary for a coach to yell at his players to motivate them. What I'm saying is the type of coach that can yell at players in the current NBA when necessary doesn't currently exist. Name me a current NBA coach that can yell at players when it is needed?

Uh, every NBA coach yells at their places. Nothing you say here changes my POV that y'all have weird notions about what coaches do today.

[dn0774]

After a week and some change of this move taking place I have started to feel a bit more positive about it. Having Mitch grow and learn as a head coach with a team that is young and unaccomplished and isn't quite saddled with massive expectations (outside of this forum anyway) yet could be end up paying dividends. The Spurs clearly want to follow that OKC Thunder trek that they started on 2 years ago. Mark Daigneault essentially just did what the Spurs are hoping Mitch can do under somewhat similar circumstances.

I also believe it was clearly a cost saving move which I can sort of understand; Mitch will be paid much less than what a Jenkins/Malone type would command and with Pop's massive salary on the books they were always going to be frugal with their HC hire unless perhaps it was thought the team was championship ready (which no 34 win team is).

I had plenty of Mitch complaints during the season (horrible 1st quarters, awful rebounding, bad sub patterns to name some big ones), hopefully with the team being officially his we can see him iron out the kinks. Looking at the situation objectively, the Spurs added 12 wins this year despite Wemby missing 36 games and openly tanking after the All Star break. That probably deserves giving him the spot for 2 seasons and seeing what we see. I do have concerns about our player development (or lack of) going forward, a lot of our young guys have stagnated and the coaching staff deserves blame there.

My main concern going forward with Mitch isn't necessarily even about Mitch, its about the front office/decision makers. If the team doesn't take the next step that is expected these next 2 years will they be willing to make the tough decision and bump out the homegrown culture guy Mitch or will they just ride him to perpetual mediocrity and an eventual Wemby exodus?

[scott]

After a week and some change of this move taking place I have started to feel a bit more positive about it. Having Mitch grow and learn as a head coach with a team that is young and unaccomplished and isn't quite saddled with massive expectations (outside of this forum anyway) yet could be end up paying dividends. The Spurs clearly want to follow that OKC Thunder trek that they started on 2 years ago. Mark Daigneault essentially just did what the Spurs are hoping Mitch can do under somewhat similar circumstances.

I also believe it was clearly a cost saving move which I can sort of understand; Mitch will be paid much less than what a Jenkins/Malone type would command and with Pop's massive salary on the books they were always going to be frugal with their HC hire unless perhaps it was thought the team was championship ready (which no 34 win team is).

I had plenty of Mitch complaints during the season (horrible 1st quarters, awful rebounding, bad sub patterns to name some big ones), hopefully with the team being officially his we can see him iron out the kinks. Looking at the situation objectively, the Spurs added 12 wins this year despite Wemby missing 36 games and openly tanking after the All Star break. That probably deserves giving him the spot for 2 seasons and seeing what we see. I do have concerns about our player development (or lack of) going forward, a lot of our young guys have stagnated and the coaching staff deserves blame there.

My main concern going forward with Mitch isn't necessarily even about Mitch, its about the front office/decision makers. If the team doesn't take the next step that is expected these next 2 years will they be willing to make the tough decision and bump out the homegrown culture guy Mitch or will they just ride him to perpetual mediocrity and an eventual Wemby exodus?

I think this will be the crux going forward. Either the homegrown coaches AND players will get it done, or they won’t… if they don’t - does the FO have the fortitude to make quick, decisive and significant changes? Without even getting into Wemby exodus doom scenarios - we are running towards the end of the time frame where we can afford to “be patient” and not have expectations for winning. At some point Wemby will hit a window where it will just be criminal to not put the team he deserves around him.

[dbestpro]

This still smells of Pop not wanting to let go of control.

[dn0774]

This still smells of Pop not wanting to let go of control.

After seeing Pop last week, i'd say he has more important things to focus his efforts towards than micro-managing the team from afar. And if Mitch is the guy the front office says he is, he will gently and respectfully tell Pop to piss off.

[BackHome]

Has there ever been a rookie coach picked to coach a team that has 3 top 4 draft picks?

[Guru of Nothing]

Evil fucking genius.

[LeBowen]

Has there ever been a rookie coach picked to coach a team that has 3 top 4 draft picks?

Scott Brooks took over for PJ Carlesimo after 13 games in 2008-09 season, the first season after the relocation.

[skin27]

Now he can stop parroting pop

[Guru of Nothing]

I've never thought of myself as being a member of the Sniffer crew, but right now I'm pretty excited about this hire.
Mitch begins with a clean slate as far as I'm concerned. ... Can someone please pass this along to Mitch? tia

Bar none, his most important objective will be to develop the killer 3-guard rotation around Wemby, and for this reason alone, I'm strongly in favor of running back CP3 one more time because I have no doubt the final results will be far greater if he's on the roster. Not just for developing the young pups, but now would be a great time for Fox to think about what he can do to become a mentor too ... and when Castle and Harper fully actualize, Fox's trade value should remain high - a properly load-balanced,all-star caliber PG with a ring(s), and track record of developing and elevating the games of young players = maximized value.

Man, it's a long five weeks until the draft.

[NickiRasgo]

Anyone has the contract details? The only logical reasons why the Spurs hired him instead of going after bigger names coach (e.g. Malone, Jenkins) is that he's cheap (Pop contract is until 2028) and players like him already in terms of relationship.
Personally, not my choice either but given the circumstances it's understandable. Perhaps it's only around 3 years and if it doesn't work out, hope Hammon will be available by then (her contract will end in 2027).

[Mal]

Tiago Splitter after brilliant season with Paris in Euroleague is expected to go to NBA as assistant coach. Any word if Spurs are interested ?

[cutewizard]

I was reflecting that this.....this is what made Coach Pop great, the gravitas.....the presence.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnVykSGvdIY

[cutewizard]

Perhaps Coach Mitch can craft his own version of gravitas as he becomes more seasoned, hmmmm

[BackHome]

If they not going to Pony up for a veteran coach at least pay for better assistant coaches - A very good assistant that has shown he can develop players, and a assistant that is good developing the defensive side of the ball. Oh, and a good shooting coach. I also think we need to start drafting some bigs in the the draft after taking Harper - getting Splitter would be sweet

[exstatic]

If they not going to Pony up for a veteran coach at least pay for better assistant coaches - A very good assistant that has shown he can develop players, and a assistant that is good developing the defensive side of the ball. Oh, and a good shooting coach. I also think we need to start drafting some bigs in the the draft after taking Harper - getting Splitter would be sweet
Someone isn’t paying attention to the thread. Just hired Corliss Willamson away from Minny. He’s he architect of their defense, ranked 1st and 6th the last two seasons.

I’d rather have a young maverick than an old retread. You can’t develop another Spo without hiring a young guy.

[Fireball]

Tiago Splitter after brilliant season with Paris in Euroleague is expected to go to NBA as assistant coach. Any word if Spurs are interested ?

he joins the Blazers if I heard that correctly in a podcast

[RC_Drunkford]

defensive coach was really the biggest need tbh. Would still like to add more to the staff and especially coaches for player development.

[Spurs Brazil]

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1936558278164488194

[cutewizard]

Wow!

Contender for Coach of the Year.....!

[SpursFan86]

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1936558278164488194

Makes sense. Feel good storyline with him taking Pop’s place + Spurs are a team many expect to make a big improvement next year. If they win 50+ games I think he’ll have a good shot (regardless of the actual quality of coaching).

[Dejounte]

Coach of the year means high win total. Do they expect the spurs to win a lot without durant? Or is it because they think they’ll get durant and win a lot?

[scott]

Coach of the year means high win total. Do they expect the spurs to win a lot without durant? Or is it because they think they’ll get durant and win a lot?

I think this means the Sports book is expecting people to bet on this so they can make money.

Nothing more, nothing less.

[Dejounte]

I think this means the Sports book is expecting people to bet on this so they can make money.

Nothing more, nothing less.

well why do they think betters will bet on this? What makes the spurs team right now a good bet for betters?

[ismael-robert]

Two healthy stars, one in the making, 2 lotto picks, resurgent keldon, Devin, sochan taking off the tanking shackles

[SpursFan86]

well why do they think betters will bet on this? What makes the spurs team right now a good bet for betters?

Look at my post above. Even if they make no big moves at all, they figure to have a much better record if Wemby/Fox are healthy + presumably Harper. I wouldn’t read into it as a “this means Vegas thinks KD is going to SA” type thing. People are expecting the Spurs to make a leap next year either way.

[scott]

well why do they think betters will bet on this? What makes the spurs team right now a good bet for betters?

Have you met the kind of degenerates that make these kind of prop bets?

[poopbox]

Perhaps Mitch is thought about more highly than we think. Big name players usually don't like playing for rookie head coaches but it didn't dissuade Durant from wanting to come here.

[TimDunkem]

^or maybe Mitch didn't factor into it at all. Maybe KD preferred the closest city to Austin and not the shithole that is Houston.

[scott]

Word around NBA circles, according to my non-existent sources, say that Mitch IS the attraction in the league right now.

[scott]

NBA rules that the 77 games Mitch coached last year go to Mitch's record, not Pop's: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/nba-changes-gregg-popovich-coaching-record-20416285.php

Pop officially finishes with a 1,390 - 824 record.

[KobesAchilles]

NBA rules that the 77 games Mitch coached last year go to Mitch's record, not Pop's: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/nba-changes-gregg-popovich-coaching-record-20416285.php

Pop officially finishes with a 1,390 - 824 record.
I’m glad that Mitch’s shitty coaching last year didn’t negatively affect Pop’s legacy. Dude’s going to end up with a 40% winning percentage to start his career.

[LeBowen]

I’m glad that Mitch’s shitty coaching last year didn’t negatively affect Pop’s legacy. Dude’s going to end up with a 40% winning percentage to start his career.

Because Pop was amazing over the past decade.

I'm not taking this year against Mitch because he wasn't supposed to be in charge and then he got burdened by some obvious restrictions like CP3 having to start and close out games no matter what, even after we got Fox.
We had a solid run with CP3/Castle/Champ/Barnes/Wemby lineup, but as soon as Vassell recovered he had to get his place back.
Then Sochan recovered and got his place back, only to be benched and used as a backup C after Collins got traded, we didn't have a single reliable big outside of Wemby who missed half the season.

Despite that, Mitch eventually figured out the offense and March/April ORTG would've been good enough for 6th best in the league.
Obviously the defense was tragic, but he didn't have much to work with.

In the end it worked out well because this season was an invaluable experience for him, the next one is the real test and he'll have to do well right away.

[KobesAchilles]

Because Pop was amazing over the past decade.

I'm not taking this year against Mitch because he wasn't supposed to be in charge and then he got burdened by some obvious restrictions like CP3 having to start and close out games no matter what, even after we got Fox.
We had a solid run with CP3/Castle/Champ/Barnes/Wemby lineup, but as soon as Vassell recovered he had to get his place back.
Then Sochan recovered and got his place back, only to be benched and used as a backup C after Collins got traded, we didn't have a single reliable big outside of Wemby who missed half the season.

Despite that, Mitch eventually figured out the offense and March/April ORTG would've been good enough for 6th best in the league.
Obviously the defense was tragic, but he didn't have much to work with.

In the end it worked out well because this season was an invaluable experience for him, the next one is the real test and he'll have to do well right away.
I am very much in the Mitch is a shitty coach camp. I am not a believer in him and expect him to be a reason why we won’t make the playoffs.

Pop may have lost his touch on coaching but even senile Pop is better than Mitch.

[LeBowen]

I am very much in the Mitch is a shitty coach camp. I am not a believer in him and expect him to be a reason why we won’t make the playoffs.

Pop may have lost his touch on coaching but even senile Pop is better than Mitch.

Well, he's obviously good at creating an offense, we hired a couple of defense specialists, hopefully they can work things out together with Mitch.
Basketball knowledge isn't my concern, people management and authority is.
He'll really need Wemby to lead by example and be his Tim, making everyone fall in line.
That's why I'd also like to keep Barnes as a high character veteran, we can't be left with Fox and newcomer Kornet as the oldest players on the roster.
If Biyombo is interested, keep him as the third stringer because he's another high character vet.

[KobesAchilles]

Well, he's obviously good at creating an offense, we hired a couple of defense specialists, hopefully they can work things out together with Mitch.
Basketball knowledge isn't my concern, people management and authority is.
He'll really need Wemby to lead by example and be his Tim, making everyone fall in line.
That's why I'd also like to keep Barnes as a high character veteran, we can't be left with Fox and newcomer Kornet as the oldest players on the roster.
If Biyombo is interested, keep him as the third stringer because he's another high character vet.
I’m in agreement with veterans. It’s why I want Giannis. I think people highly undervalue the leadership and work ethic traits that Robinson showed to Duncan. And he also let Duncan just play basketball which is just freeing for a player.

[LeBowen]

I’m in agreement with veterans. It’s why I want Giannis. I think people highly undervalue the leadership and work ethic traits that Robinson showed to Duncan. And he also let Duncan just play basketball which is just freeing for a player.

Giannis ship has sailed and it wouldn't have been worth it since we'd lose both Harper/Castle and all of our tradeable picks.
We'd be left with Fox/Giannis/Wemby and veteran minimum deals in free agency.

Not worth it since we don't know if Wemby will be able to stay healthy.

[spursistan]

Because Pop was amazing over the past decade.

I'm not taking this year against Mitch because he wasn't supposed to be in charge and then he got burdened by some obvious restrictions like CP3 having to start and close out games no matter what, even after we got Fox.
We had a solid run with CP3/Castle/Champ/Barnes/Wemby lineup, but as soon as Vassell recovered he had to get his place back.
Then Sochan recovered and got his place back, only to be benched and used as a backup C after Collins got traded, we didn't have a single reliable big outside of Wemby who missed half the season.

Despite that, Mitch eventually figured out the offense and March/April ORTG would've been good enough for 6th best in the league.
Obviously the defense was tragic, but he didn't have much to work with.

In the end it worked out well because this season was an invaluable experience for him, the next one is the real test and he'll have to do well right away.
Yep, the team was extremely competitive against playoffs-bound teams vying for seed positioning even without Wemby/Fox (Won vs Warriors/Knicks; tight losses vs Cavs/OKC)..That was Mitch's most impressive stretch of the season that probably clinched him the job.

In general, i'm far less concerned about coaching than two months ago after the addition of two elite, well-reputed assistants. I would have preferred Jenkins. But those who called for Malone, do they realize how bad he must have screwed the pooch in Denver that a Queens native like him with Championship pedigree couldn't get even an interview with the Knicks? :lol

The rest of the coaching market was dire, tbh.. Going young with HC is the right call now that your core is constituted of players born in mid 2000s.

[RC_Drunkford]

I am very much in the Mitch is a shitty coach camp. I am not a believer in him and expect him to be a reason why we won’t make the playoffs.

Pop may have lost his touch on coaching but even senile Pop is better than Mitch.

senile Pop is the worst coach in the league. Mitch was way better than Pop and Mitch wasn't good either. Now that he has Sweeney and Corliss Williamson, no CP3 who had a starter promise for an entire season and no Pop looming in the shadows, I'm quite confident he'll do a good job in the regular season.