Mitch Johnson has earned a shot at glory with the Spurs
Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win's basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Here's Mike Sykes
Mitch Johnson is taking over as the Spurs' head coach for the foreseeable future, with Gregg Popovich officially stepping down and moving full-time into the front office.
This probably comes as a surprise to a lot of people. Johnson isn't the most recognizable name out there as a head coaching candidate — the interim job with the Spurs that he took up in November is the only experience that he has. Considering all the names that have come and gone from Gregg Popovich's bench, the natural inclination for most people would be to assume that one of the stars would get it.
THANK YOU, POP: The Spurs' tribute video to Pop will have you in tears
Alums from the school of Pop include names like Becky Hammon, Mike Brown, Quin Snyder, Mike Budenholzer, Brett Brown, Monty Williams and more. Sure, some currently have jobs. But maybe they could be coaxed away to return where it all started and coach one of the NBA's brightest stars, Victor Wembanyama.
Instead of going in that direction, the Spurs leaned in on Johnson and gave him the job moving forward despite him being just 38 years old and coming to the table with little experience. While it might seem like a strange decision to make considering the success of Pop's coaching tree, it's the absolute right decision. And it's probably the decision that was going to be made all along.
MORE ON MITCH: Four facts about Mitch Johnson that you should know
Yes, Johnson lacks experience. He's only worked in the NBA for a decade since 2016 when he was named as an assistant for the San Antonio's G-League affiliate. He wasn't hired as a Spurs assistant until 2019 at 33. He spent all his time as a team assistant until being promoted to interim head coach in 2024.
While that may read like inexperience for most people, if you look at it from another point of view, he's got more experience than most within the Spurs' system.
Popovich and San Antonio have notably worked to establish their own organizational culture over the last three decades. Continuity is a big deal. Considering how long he's worked within, Johnson knows that culture as well as anyone. He knows it better than the assistants who've come and gone through the years because he's remained in place.That's why, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, Johnson had a strong backing for the job from within the organization. He's a Spur, through and through.
On top of that, his relationship with Victor Wembanyama is essential. He's someone Wembanyama trusts. Just last month, Wemby said he trusts Johnson to "grow in that role" as Spurs head coach with Popovich out. That was an important endorsement from Wemby and likely factored into the team's decision to move forward with Johnson.
You can understand why Wembanyama trusts him. Johnson isn't afraid to coach him hard despite his superstar status. He doesn't hesitate to call Wemby out when needed, which isn't necessarily the way coach relationships work in the NBA.
There's a chance this doesn't work. There's a chance Johnson fails. There are probably more people out there who are currently more experienced and might be ready to take on this job.
But, at the same time, I don't think anyone is more prepared to be the coach of the current San Antonio Spurs than Johnson himself. I think the organization knows that. I think Popovich, himself, knew that. That's why Johnson was picked as the interim guy in the first place.
Regardless of how this ends up, Johnson deserved a shot at keeping things going after developing a rapport with the team this season. Good on the Spurs for identifying that.
Speaking of the Spurs
We're all on Giannis Antetokounmpo watch after the Bucks flamed out of the playoffs again this season. It sounds like the Spurs might be a suitor, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, along with the Houston Rockets.
Bryan Kalbrosky says that could be a potential league-shifting event:
"Windhorst notes that everyone (including Antetokounmpo) should pay close attention to where these teams land in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery.
Depending on where these picks land, it could potentially create a scenario where either the Rockets or the Spurs have enough assets to land one of the best players on the planet.
Houston would draw some eyeballs considering that even without the two-time NBA MVP, they finished as the No. 2 seed in a competitive Western Conference this season. But the Spurs are even more fascinating because pairing a player like Antetokounmpo with a player like Victor Wembanyama would change the Western Conference forever."
Just imagine Giannis and Wemby as teammates, man. How on Earth do you score on that team? What are you supposed to do? I'm not sure. But I'd sure love to see it.
If it came down to it, I think the Rockets could technically put together a better package than the Spurs could. But if you're Antetokounmpo, you're probably trying to do everything possible to work your way to San Antonio.
Sorry, Bucks fans. Not trying to steal your star away from you, but it feels like the writing is on the wall.
Shootaround
— Jalen Brunson cemented his legacy as a Knick with the game-winner against Detroit.
— Prince Grimes says the Pacers deserve more respect from us. I agree with him.
— Speaking of the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton's dad isn't allowed at games anymore. Here's more from Andrew Joseph.
— Bryan Kalbrosky says you probably shouldn't bet on LeBron retiring this season.
That's a wrap, folks. Thanks so much for reading. Peace.
-Sykes ✌️