Johnson is keeping one routine while embracing another at the same time, as Gregg Popovich continues to recover from a stroke.
SAN ANTONIO — What Spurs acting head coach Mitch Johnson believes might be overblown in regards to how much fans pay attention to it may very well be a reason why they find new ways to respect him in Gregg Popovich’s absence.
Having filled a void left by Coach Pop since his November stroke, Johnson is also continuing a pregame routine typically reserved for assistant coaches: Warming up players before game action.
In Johnson’s case, it means temporarily taking the reins for a Hall of Fame NBA coach while continuing to warm up the future face of the league, young superstar Victor Wembanyama.
“We’ve always done stuff together,” Johnson says. “Whether we have meetings or work, guys out or talk about game plans.”
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 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 working with Wemby prior to tipoff.
“I haven’t changed much in terms of what I’ve done with my routine,” Johnson 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,” the second-year Spur said. “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. That’s a win, which in and of itself is something the Spurs are steadily doing more of this season; the team is 14-13 heading into the weekend, a 10-game improvement compared to the first 27 games of last year’s campaign.
“At first I didn’t realize it because we are so used to doing the warmup,” said Wembanyama. “It is appreciated from him.”
And is Johnson considering the idea he could hang out in the locker room and watch tape until tipoff? Not so much.
“For me to say anything to be like Pop would be a little outlandish,” said Johnson.