Popovich enters Spurs locker room: “That’s not how you play”

Gregg Popovich, El Jefe, the commander. Thirty years on the bench of the San Antonio Spurs, five NBA titles, then the stroke in November 2024 which forced him to leave the bench permanently. But El Jefe, now 77 years old, is forever, and his presence continues to be a constant alongside San Antonio’s players and coaching staff. On the other hand, he shaped that way of doing things, that environment. After Game 3 lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Coach Pop entered the locker room. “He’s been there all season,” De’Aaron Fox explained after Game 4, this time won by the Spurs. “But that was the first time he came in right after a game to actually tell us what he thought. He said something like, ‘No, that’s bullshit, that’s not how we play basketball.'” No sooner said than done. Everyone was there: players, technical staff, trainers, general managers. “He gives us regular feedback. As always, when he speaks, everyone listens,” Victor Wembanyama told The Athletic. Be better. Do better. “He basically told us this after game 3,” explains Carter Bryant. “He writes to me after every match, not everyone has the greatest coach ever at hand. He gives you energy.” The rookie’s words in English explain the concept even better: “He speaks life into you”. Literally: “With words he brings life inside you.”

serenity

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Seeing Tim Duncan alongside Popovich, the last time in Oklahoma City for Game 4, while supporting him and accompanying him even during his rehabilitation, is a sweet image. Tim, with his dreadlocks, does not leave Pop alone, who has never left him alone on the field in their 19 seasons together. The San Antonio environment is rich humanly and professionally, and that’s why the young age of this team and the missed steps don’t seem like a coincidence. In game 1 against Okc, the Spurs took the field with a quintet with an average age of less than 23 years: the youngest starting quintet in the history of the Conference finals. But the impression is that these kids always have someone next to them who knows how to do it, who understands. And this gives serenity. In addition to a ton of experience, sporting culture, basketball intelligence.

Ginobili and Harper

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As in the case of Dylan Harper and Ginobili, who talked about the role of sixth man. “I sat down with Manu. It’s a role I’m not used to, but he made me understand that you have to impact the game in any way you can.” There is a coach, Johnson, there is a very well-equipped staff, but Pop continues to bring his uniqueness, his honesty. In San Antonio you can feel the respect due to the game, a certain way of seeing basketball. “He taught me so much off the pitch too: about family, about giving something to others. And I will always be grateful to him for that,” Vassell tells The Athletic. And then, the feedback on Pop’s basketball play is a privilege.