SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama barely may get the phrases out.
The query, a couple of minutes after he and the San Antonio Spurs gained the Western Convention title and earned the precise to go to this 12 months’s NBA Finals to face the New York Knicks, was about his relationship with former coach Gregg Popovich and what this playoff run possible means to the winningest coach in league historical past.
And Wembanyama paused, clearly emotional, earlier than beginning his reply.
“I don’t know what it means for him,” Wembanyama stated. “That’s a man who’s obtained extra expertise as a coach than virtually anyone and has been via so many issues in his profession and so many issues proper now as ‘El Jefe.’ He goes via some issues we will’t even think about. So, I have to name him. I have to see him. I would like to speak to him as a result of there’s no means I can perceive proper now how he feels.”
The official title for the 77-year-old Popovich is President of Spurs Basketball. Unofficially, the Basketball Corridor of Famer could as effectively be coach emeritus — nonetheless often seen at practices in San Antonio, nonetheless seen at video games, typically strolling with the help of a cane. He is nonetheless within the ears of gamers and coaches, even visiting the locker room after the Spurs misplaced Sport 3 of the West finals to Oklahoma Metropolis for a little bit of a pep speak and little bit of a chewing out, relying on perspective.
However actually, he is El Jefe. The boss. It is what he introduced himself as when he retired final 12 months, talking publicly for the primary time because the November 2024 stroke that basically ended his teaching profession and led to Mitch Johnson getting the job on mainly a pair hours’ discover. He got here out for that occasion in a jacket, then opened it to show the shirt with “El Jefe” on the entrance.
“You speak concerning the biggest coach just about of all time to have the ability to sit right here and let you know the experiences that they went via or that he’s been via or that he sees,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell stated. “I imply, it’s second to none, actually. He helps out. He helps out lots. … He simply has a lot knowledge and stuff that you may’t take with no consideration.”
Sport 1 of the Knicks-Spurs sequence is Wednesday in San Antonio.
Knicks coach Mike Brown noticed first-hand how Popovich operated the Spurs; he spent three years as an assistant coach underneath him in San Antonio.
Brown nonetheless has members of the family dwelling in San Antonio — inflicting him to joke just a few days in the past {that a} Knicks-Spurs matchup within the NBA Finals would save him a bit of bit of cash as a result of he would not should fly as many individuals in to see video games.
“He nonetheless has an enormous presence. He’ll all the time have a presence,” Brown stated of Popovich. “The job that he’s performed, not solely on the court docket with that staff or that group however off the court docket too, goes to be imprinted for so long as the sport of basketball exists. His presence could be very, very a lot felt on a regular basis and I’ve obtained loads of respect for the group for lots of various causes.”
And Popovich nonetheless instructions that respect, even now.
Popovich met the Spurs on the airport after they flew dwelling from Video games 3 and 4 of their West semifinal sequence in opposition to Minnesota a pair weeks in the past — for a function. Wembanyama was ejected from Sport 4 for a flagrant elbow he threw at Timberwolves ahead Naz Reid. When Wembanyama obtained off the airplane, Popovich was ready. Cameras caught the change and it was fairly clear that Popovich was doing the speaking and Wembanyama was doing the listening.
“He provides suggestions and talks to us often,” Wembanyama stated, with out disclosing what Popovich’s message was that afternoon.
Popovich was additionally on the airport within the wee hours of Sunday morning, when the Spurs returned dwelling from Oklahoma Metropolis — on an evening wherein 1000’s of followers, each there and within the metropolis’s streets, celebrated the win.
Popovich gained 5 NBA championships as San Antonio’s coach, the primary of these coming in 1999 when the Spurs beat the Knicks. The following period of Spurs basketball is right here, with Johnson teaching, and it is an fascinating coincidence that his first finals as Spurs coach is in opposition to the Knicks.
“I’m lucky my previous boss remains to be round, and has been via this just a few occasions,” Johnson stated. “Coach Pop has been a useful resource.”
And within the quick aftermath of his largest win but — the one which obtained him to his first of what he hopes is many NBA Finals — Wembanyama merely couldn’t wait to speak to El Jefe.
After I speak to him, it’s going to be solely saved in my head — besides if I file it in secret,” Wembanyama stated. “However I would like to speak to him, so fast.”
There are extra classes to study. There are 4 extra wins to get. And Wembanyama is aware of that if anybody really is aware of the way in which to these wins, it is Popovich.
