Johnson keeps one routine while embracing another at the same time.
SAN ANTONIO — The moment I noticed it, I thought it was really impressive. Respect!
Spurs ‘acting’ head coach Mitch Johnson may not entirely agree. “Honestly I think it is overblown if it is thought of at all,” said Johnson.
But like I said, I think it’s awesome. Just consider the idea: he’s the filling the void left by Coach Pop’s absence while at the same time still working his regular pregame routine of warming up the future face of the league, young superstar Victor Wembanyama.
I wouldn’t stop doing that either!
“I actually just thought about that a couple of days back,” said Wemby. “We’ve always done stuff together,” said Johnson. “Whether we have meetings or work, guys out or talk about game plans,” he added.
NBA head coaches typically aren’t seen on the sideline until just minutes if not seconds before any game tips off, presumably watching game tape and or game planning up until the very last second. Not Johnson. He’s courtside doing what he would be doing if Pop was with the team, and that’s work with Wemby prior to tipoff.
“I haven’t changed much in terms of what I’ve done with my routine,” he said. “Obviously when the game starts that is what changes the most. But leading up to it, not a ton.”
Wembanyama has been impressed by all that, as you might imagine.
“For him, stepping up as the head coach through the season I think it is his best asset,” said Wembanyama. “The fact that he knows all our little routines. He’s close to us. He can bring up some really good personal advice during the game. For me it is his best asset.”
It sounds like one compliments the other between Coach Johnson and San Antonio’s most prized basketball possession, and that’s a ‘win’, and that’s something the Spurs are steadily doing more of this season.
“At first I didn’t realize it because we are so used to doing the warmup,” said Wembanyama. “It is appreciated from him.”
And for Mitch Johnson, any idea that he could hang in the locker room before the game and watch tape until game time, not so much.
“For me to say anything to be like Pop would be a little outlandish,” said Johnson.