Earlier than the forty second recreation of the season, San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson mirrored on the primary half of the season and precisely how the Spurs have landed within the second seed within the Western Convention.
What does Mitch Johnson see as needing enchancment within the second half of the season? Consistency.
“Consistency in our strategy, in our transition protection, in our communication, in how we come out at halftime, how we end quarters. We’ve proven potential and development in lots of areas, we‘ve additionally proven lots to be wanting extra by way of consistency.”
So far as issues that he’s seen all through the season which might be working, Coach Johnson acknowledged,
“I’m please with the aggressive response and the position that’s been referred to as upon. We’ve had lots of guys out and in by way of availability, we’ve had lots of guys possibly play extra minutes at instances and fewer in others and never one time have I ever felt any reflection of a nasty teammate. Frustration is completely completely different. Like I’ve mentioned earlier than, I need guys to be annoyed. I need fifteen guys who need to play 48 minutes. That’s a aggressive spirit why they’ve gotten to the extent of basketball. It could be foolish of me to assume that’s a unfavorable trait, however the teammate half is non-negotiable. All of them get A+ for that, I’m more than happy with that.”
Appreciation for the Spurs aggressive spirit is one thing appreciated throughout the board. The Spurs put their finest foot ahead night time after night time in opposition to among the finest groups within the league. And on these nights once they come up brief, it’s as a result of consistency to which Johnson speaks.
To this point this season, Johnson has spoken earlier than and after every recreation, and when he addresses shortcomings, dangerous calls, off nights, or blown performs, he does so with greater than only a optimistic angle — he’s shaping a locker room mentality for long-term development.
There isn’t any finger-pointing in Johnson’s responses, neither is there pandering to keep away from delving into tasks. Johnson is direct, trustworthy, and divulges the sort of perception he has towards the sport in addition to his worldview.
No assertion was clearer than his response to permitting Minnesota to come back again from a 25-point halftime deficit and push the Spurs into the ultimate moments of the sport.
When requested concerning the lead slipping from them, Johnson responded,
“It’s extraordinarily disappointing, nevertheless it’s additionally acknowledging that these guys in there bought the 25-point lead after which bought down within the 4th quarter after which received the sport. So I’m not going to take a seat right here and be unfavorable or not preserve all of it in perspective. That half was extraordinarily disappointing. That half has been what I believe what has crept in at time and been a thorn in our aspect this yr. Which has simply been at instances some nonchalantness of the depth of expertise, historical past, knowledge, runs on the board accomplishments to consult with when instances get actually powerful. We’ve to overly respect the method the main points and taking part in the best manner as a result of we’re missing in some areas that may’t management proper now. So we bought by means of this we can’t let our guard down in these areas. And after we do, we discover ourselves in instances in comparable conditions. They don’t seem to be all created equal or precisely the identical however I believe we’ve seen some similarities when this occurs.“
Like it or not, it’s important to respect a head coach who can say “give time time” and imply it.
When contemplating all that expertise and accolade — two most up-to-date Rookies of the Yr, an NBA Clutch Participant, a few NBA champions, a 2024 G-League champ, a pair of 2024 McDonald’s All-Individuals, and an Olympic Gold Medal winner — the opportunity of clashing egos might trigger disruption. But the Spurs locker room stays a respectful and cultured area.
Doc Rivers gave the final word complement.
That stage of recognition says one thing about how Johnson and the Spurs look from exterior San Antonio to the remainder of the basketball world.
Whereas the primary recreation of the second half of the season went from a blowout to a dogfight within the span of 24 minutes off the clock, the Spurs put some separation again between them and Minnesota. They’re poised to make a strong run earlier than the All-Star Break and are available again refreshed and able to make a push in opposition to groups with extra postseason expertise.
How they climate the small storms will set the tone for a way far they go. And with Mitch Johnson on the helm, they’ve the most effective probability of protecting their wits about them throughout the most effective and worst of instances.
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