Popovich Delivers Playoff Wisdom to Young Spurs Squad

Legendary coach addresses team before first postseason run together

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:10am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game or playoff action, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, forest green, and crimson red, conveying the heightened intensity and physicality of the postseason.Popovich's wisdom guides the young Spurs squad as they embark on their first playoff run together.San Antonio Today

Gregg Popovich, now the President of Basketball Operations for the San Antonio Spurs, addressed the team before their first playoff appearance in several years. Popovich, who led the Spurs to 22 consecutive playoff appearances and 5 championships as head coach, shared his wisdom and experience with the young squad, encouraging them to stay true to their identity and not try to change their successful approach.

Why it matters

Popovich's voice still carries significant weight within the Spurs organization, and his guidance will be invaluable for a team making its first playoff run together. The Spurs had a highly successful 62-win regular season under coach Mitch Johnson, and Popovich's advice can help them navigate the heightened intensity and physicality of the postseason.

The details

Popovich congratulated the team on their regular season success and emphasized the differences they'll face in the playoffs, such as a slower pace, increased physicality, and less frequent whistles. However, his main message was for the team to stay true to their identity and not try to drastically change their approach. As point guard De'Aaron Fox said, 'We don't want to change who we are, we just want to do what we do better, and do what we do with more physicality, faster, be the same team.'

  • Popovich addressed the team two days before the start of the playoffs.
  • The Spurs finished the regular season with a 62-20 record, earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

The players

Gregg Popovich

The President of Basketball Operations for the San Antonio Spurs, Popovich is a legendary coach who led the team to 22 consecutive playoff appearances and 5 NBA championships.

De'Aaron Fox

The starting point guard for the San Antonio Spurs, who is making his first career playoff appearance.

Mitch Johnson

The current head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, who has led the team to a highly successful 62-win season in his first year.

Steph Castle

A player for the San Antonio Spurs who spoke about the valuable perspective Popovich has provided the team throughout the season.

Victor Wembanyama

The rookie forward for the San Antonio Spurs, who is eager to soak up Popovich's wisdom before his first NBA playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“He's been in and out of the building this year, so I think guys have been kind of used to seeing him. With the playoffs on he spoke to the team two days ago, but I wouldn't say there's added pressure. If anything, you want to win more.”

— De'Aaron Fox, Starting Point Guard

“Just to be us, not to really do anything different from what we've been doing all season. I think he kind of just gave us another perspective on how well we've been playing and the position we've put ourselves in. So, just keep doing what we've been doing to get in those spots.”

— Steph Castle, Spurs Player

“We don't want to change who we are, we just want to do what we do better, and do what we do with more physicality, faster, be the same team. We got the No. 2 seed for a reason, you don't want to change who you are.”

— De'Aaron Fox, Starting Point Guard

“He's, for me, obviously a constant resource of feedback and thoughts and ideas and someone I can ask questions to. So I know I will continue to do that. I think he's done a great job of sharing a lot of wisdom and experiences that he's had, and then also allowing the group and us and myself to go through it on our own as well.”

— Mitch Johnson, Head Coach

“Coach Pop always gives advice for sure, I want to talk with the players though, I haven't talked to them yet. I'm hungry for knowledge, but also it's so much going on and we also have our own identity as this team.”

— Victor Wembanyama

What’s next

The Spurs will begin their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, April 20th.

The takeaway

Popovich's guidance and experience will be invaluable for this young Spurs squad as they embark on their first playoff run together. His message to stay true to their identity and not try to drastically change their successful approach should serve them well in the heightened intensity of the postseason.