“We need someone who can give their best“For the San Antonio Spurs,” said Gregg Popovich on Monday, which gives way to Mitch Johnson after 29 seasons on the franchise bench. Last week, the Spurs had announced the withdrawal of Popovich, a historic figure of the 5 titles and the 29 seasons, a record in the NBA, as a chief trainer.
The 76 -year -old American has been at rest for a stroke in November. He appeared weakened on Monday during a press conference in San Antonio. “”One of the reasons (my withdrawal) is that we need someone able to give their best, because this is what this group deserves and asks, and we have the right person in San Antonio“Said Popovich in a weakened voice and with slow diction.
His former assistant Mitch Johnson, who has spent almost all season at the temporary, was confirmed in his new functions. “”Mitch has done a fantastic job this season in difficult circumstances. We saw him in action, and he was brilliant.” “We have young players who will become great players, Mitch Johnson will be the man who will shape their future, and I will do all my best to help him“Added” Pop “, who watched over the beginnings of the French diamond Victor Wembanyama.
Pop, you taught me so much
Popovich appeared surrounded by his former players Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, without departing from his legendary humor, revealing in particular after his speech a t-shirt marked “El Jefe” (“the chef”), and commenting with smile the difficulty of his rehabilitation, a “stick“For those who were known for his requirement towards his players.
“Pop, you taught me so mucha dit Johnson. Always pass the players first, attention to details, sickly competitiveness, play harder and more intelligently than his opponent for 48 minutes. You know how to seize the moment, understand their importance. I would just like to thank you.”
“We know the management to follow, we know what we want to build. It is not a new start, nor an update. It is a new chapter, which looks a little different, but the theme of the book remains the same“The Spurs, with their 13th place in the Western Conference, missed the play-offs for the 6th season in a row, but assembled the parts of their reconstruction around Wembanyama, with the rear Stephon Castle, elected rookie of the year, and the All-Star of’aron Fox, recruited in February.
