What San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich’s appearance means for the team, fans, and San Antonio
So, what are some takeaways from Papa speaking out for the first time publicly after suffering his stroke? You are Locked On Spurs, your daily San Antonio Spurs podcast, part of the Locked On podcast network. Your team every day. Hey everybody, welcome back to Lockdown Spurs, right on the locked on NBA network. I’m your host, Jeff Garcia, Spurs right over Kens of San Antonio. I hope you’re having a great day. Subscribe to Loft House first. Wherever get your favorite podcast, iTunes, Spotify, Kspy Plus, app, YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe ASAP because we need you to leave those comments. Go to the YouTube page, leave them there. We’ll read them in a future episode of Locked on Spurs. Today’s episode is brought to you by Game Time. Download the Game Time app. Free an account. Use code locked on NBA for $20 off your first purchase. What are we talking about today? We’re going to be looking back at Pop’s first public appearance since suffering the uh mild stroke. Uh there was a lot of takeaways that we really get a chance to highlight uh when we had the initial reaction to Mitch Johnson becoming the new Spurs head coach. It was a big piece of it, but we didn’t dive deeper into it. So that’s what we’re going to do today. Look at what it meant for the team, for Pop, for the players, and so much more. Yeah, it did have a great ripple effect. You’ll hear in just a few minutes. They’re going to be asking the question, is San Antonio a destination for top free agents? It’s interesting question, right? They’re entering a new coaching phase. They’re in the Wimby era. Is that going to be enough? We’ll hear about that and more. And maybe get some Well, no. I think we will cuz these NBA playoffs have been phenomenal. I seriously kudos to the NBA. That is some competitive series that are going on right now. But we’ll get to that, you know, just a few minutes. Let’s go and bring in our guest, everybody. He is back. The Vid Dog, Vinnie Vansetta, Ken’s 5TV’s very own rocking the Viva Fiesta. You still in the Viva Fiesta mode, Vinnie? San Antonio. So 24/7 365 around this place. Yeah, that’s absolutely right. Make sure to follow Vinnie on X at Vincensetta. Do that right now. He’s a great follow. Not only you get Spur stuff, you get a lot of local sports stories. Uh even maybe he’ll tease something that he worked on uh prior to coming on this episode of Locked on Spurs. So stay tuned for that. But uh Vinnie, I’m glad you’re on. And actually, you know, truth be told, everybody, this is kind of Vinnie’s show. Vinnie was the one who approached me about having a show just dedicated to Papovic and his takeaways, my takeaways, and so much more. And I when he sent me the message, I was like, you know, he’s right because it kind of was a little overshadowed by Mitch Johnson and becoming the new head coach. I mean, Vinnie, the last two episodes, three episodes of Lock on Spurs, we’ve just been all about Mitch Johnson. So, but we really haven’t had a chance to focus on Pop and his public appearance. First of all, Vinnie, I was very surprised. I I thought he would not make a public appearance at all. At all. I thought maybe you might see him out in the wild, maybe at a game and one of the luxury boxes, but not the way he did it. Vinnie, what did you take away from his public appearance? Well, I’ll tell you, I woke up Monday morning and uh jumped in the shower and got myself ready and thought, are are we going to see Pop today? I I the email the email did not say that, but I just have my mind kind of racing wondering. So, you know, we we get over to the to the to the performance center and and everybody’s setting up and all the photographers are setting up on the behind the, you know, behind the staging area and we all get seated in media seats and and it just seemed like there was kind of a a serious tone, a feel to the moment and and off around the corner, you could hear uh Spurs PR kind of organizing the group. And I didn’t know at the time, is that just Mitch and his family and maybe Peter Jolt and and RC Buford? I wasn’t sure. So once you kind of heard the end of barking orders and you’re here and you’re here and are we ready? Let’s go. Uh out walks Victor Womenyama and then right behind him um was Coach Pop uh flanked by uh the greats Timmy Duncan and Manu Ginobi and and I would tell you Jeff that it was very surreal in that moment to see uh here’s this individual that that many of us have covered me for almost 15 years many for for 25 30 years. um to see this individual who’s always been larger than life moving slow and and you could see that there’s been a physical setback. It was just surreal um to see him walk in, but it added it added this really fascinating realness to the day. And you know, he comes in and and he’s walking on his own. Um, but Manu are by his side and and here come uh Mitch and his family and Peter J. Holt and De Jante Murray is in there and and other Spurs players um on the current roster. Everyone gets seated and then Peter J. Holt begins to address the media and and he was choked up. uh he had some emotional moments, but then up comes Pop and and and you know, again, he’s flanked by Timmy and and Manu and they get him to the podium and he spoke uh in in my view, in my estimation so eloquently and beautifully and and just very human humanistically. It was just a a powerful thing. and and he talked about how he’s still working his way through this stroke and he thanked his physical therapy team that have been helping him. And then of course the big moment was the joke with Elfe when he unzipped his windbreaker and showed his new position. But then you know he he welcomed up Mitch. Pop didn’t take any questions. He just welcomed up Mitch and I found myself thinking this was the important part. found myself thinking, you know, people might say that this upstaged uh Mitch’s moment. It so did not. It was so perfect. I I give the the Spurs a round of applause for the way they handled that situation. Again, Pop just welcomed up Mitch and and they had an embrace and and Mitch sat down and and and made his statement and took his questions and but I kept finding myself leaving Mitch and looking back over at Pop because it was just again it was so surreal. A man that commanded the room for all those years and and and in a way in a way Monday he still commanded the room. So it did. Yeah. It was a very powerful day, a very beautiful day and it was very surreal. But I just love the way it all played out. Me too. You know, unfortunately I could not make it due to a family issue, but you know, I was watching on the Ken 5 stream and I think it was kind of the elephant in the room once you realize it’s pop. It was it was a little jarring. It was a little jarring. Uh because you mentioned the his gate was very very slow. Um he obviously had some sort of paralysis because I think his let’s see his left right his right arm or you know um couldn’t move. It was just kind of just stationary. And when he unzipped his windbreaker, right, you know, you can you can see Manu and Timmy help him turn around, turn back the other way. Yeah. Right. Right. And you know, you definitely saw the effects of it. Uh, you know, he there were some at least some heartstoppping moments because there were a couple times where he kind of looked like he just froze in mid-sentence and took a while to get things going and he got back on track. But, you know, you definitely can tell that the spirit and the mind is there to be or continue to be an NBA head coach, but the body is just not allowing it. And Pop hit it on the head. He said they need somebody who can fully dedicate to the position. He cannot physically because of the rigors of an NBA season. It was quite apparent. But Vinnie, you know, in that press conference and when Pop showed face, I think it was a good sign for the franchise, for the city, for fans that look, although he’s going through this and he did make it very clear, Vinnie, his rehab is not over. It’s still going. Even talked about how he has workouts at the Rock still scheduled and whatnot. Yeah. But for but for him to step up to the stage in that physical condition, my first words after that were just, “Wow, how courageous.” Your thoughts? Um, I was blown away. I was blown away. Um, it didn’t I I guess it had been on my mind and my thought process kept telling me even though the Spurs haven’t said anything, I just feel like I just feel like we might see him. I I kept telling myself if we don’t see him today, are they going to suddenly have him in the in the luxury box as you mentioned a few games into the regular season or will he make a an appearance at half court during a halftime? You know, how are they going to do this? I thought the way they did it was was amazing. And yes, the the courage and guts he showed to get up there and still in in my view speak very eloquently to to us the media, to Mitch’s family, to to Spurs brass. Uh it was I felt privileged to be there. I I I really did. I mean, I I wish you and and and and everyone else that that covers him on a regular basis that couldn’t be there could be there because it just felt genuine and real and just, you know, he he he gives us media folks a hard time. Everybody’s been popped, as they say. We’ve all been blown up on occasion, but that’s just his way, you know. He’s he’s gruff like that. But I just I saw him in a different way that I’d never seen him before. And it just really it it touched hearts honestly. It was just and and and the way that the world the basketball the not just the NBA Jeff the professional basketball world rallied around him has just been phenomenal. and and Friday we went down to Fiesta de los Ryos at Marcus Square and I didn’t know what the reaction of fans would be but there were people in in a Fiesta setting almost getting emotional talking about what this man has meant to the Spurs to the city and to them fans really shared what he had meant to them specifically in their own minds and hearts and the man what what I learned I I probably already knew this but but you don’t know until you ask I I walked away from those fans that day thinking Man, this guy has moved mountains for these people. Like, he’s been everything to so many people in San Antonio. Yeah, exactly. We’re not done uh praising Papovic for his moment in the spotlight. When we get back, we’re going to continue our thoughts about Papovic and of course get into uh if San Antonio is a free agent destination now and some NBA playoff talk with Vinnie Vincetta. Make sure to follow next at Vensetta. He is with Ken 5 TV. Catch him on that television having bunch of food, talking sports. He does it all for Ken Spy. But first, I want to talk to you about Upwork. Scaling your business requires the right expertise at the right time. With Upwork, you can find specialized freelancers in marketing, development, design, and more experts ready to help you take your business to the next level. Upward gives businesses flexibility by connecting them with top freelance talent across multiple industries, including IT, AI, web development, and marketing. Whether you need extra hands for a project or a long-term partner, Upwork makes hiring simple and affordable. Find the right talent. 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And we were talking about just, you know, how he commanded the room despite his physical condition. Uh you we even mentioned about it was a little jarring uh to see him in that way because here was a guy that was lively and active. You know, look what he look what he was doing be when he got the stroke. He was on a treadmill according to the Spurs and reports. You know, he was trying to stay in shape. It looks like the body again the body and the mind at that point wanted to continue being a head coach. Unfortunately, this happened and he’s he resigned from the position and now being team president full-time. One thing about the press conference too is that I liked is just the fact that it was a message to Mitch that if Pop despite everything he can do that he’s I’m sorry rephrase that that he’s going through right now you know for him to step up to the plate and take control of a team from a coaching point of view that is that he has to do the same because passing that baton from Papovic to Mitch you know that that that’s a lot of word. Those are some big shoes to fill. Now, sure, uh, Vinnie, I want to get your thoughts on this. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that it was going to be Mitch as an official head coach. You look back at his history, his 10 years in San Antonio. He was tapped as the interim head coach over a guy like Brett Brown. He was tapped to fill in for Pop whenever he got ejected or just couldn’t make a game. And he was tapped to be the summer league head coach for the Spurs. So, it was there. But how do you think that moment impacted Mitch Johnson? Uh, immensely. Pop. Pop drove uh that point home that uh this is the guy for the job. And he said, you know, despite my setback as the new president of basketball ops, I’ll do everything in my power to help you. So, um I think Mitch was very felt very humbled and overwhelmed that uh he would have the support in the room he had. But but again, Pop made that clear that this is the guy uh this is the person to lead us forward. I mean, talk all you want about the speculation around say a Mike Benhoer, uh Mike Malone, uh a Becky Hammond, uh who who else was fired. Some argue that Steve Kerr had a contract up. he might come to to San Antonio. I mean, I agree with you. They were locked in on Mitch for a while because he’s been inside the organization and he really took over frankly and and fairly really an impossible situation um with the pop situation then the injuries to to De’Aran Fox and Victor Womenyama. So, I was always in the camp I don’t know about you, I was always in the camp that you know, yeah, despite maybe his lack of resume success, I’m not sure he got a fair shake and it would see it would make sense to me. Wouldn’t I’m not saying it was the right move. I’m just saying it didn’t shock me at all that he’s the guy. And the good thing about it too is Pop, although physically he’s been impacted by the stroke, but again going back to the mind, the mind is still there. And even though he’s no longer a head coach as team president, his mind is going to be something that that the team can use moving forward, his expertise, the buck stops with him now. Stops with him. So any decision that needs like a tiebreaker or whatnot or a major decision, it goes through him now. So that’s a good thing about it. Sure, physically he cannot do what he used to do because of the stroke, but mentally it’s still powerful and that will help the Spurs and the rebuild. And think about this too. Sure, he didn’t go out the way perhaps he may have wanted to go out coaching the last game and then that’s it. We’re done. You know, life happened then medically this this impacted. V. I couldn’t think a better way for him to retire as an NBA head coach than showing the courage, passing the baton, getting out in public, you telling everybody what was going on. He did say, you know, about the his rehab or whatnot and just to be there for the franchise in that capacity. And I would not be surprised that Pop wanted to go out there and that on that day that he needed to be out there. He needed to show the world, San Antonio, the fans, that I am so fully supporting Mitch Johnson because I’ll be frank with you, uh, Vinnie, I did not have Pop Successor as a Mitch Johnson. That I would have not had that on my bingo card. I would have had a Steve Cerr, a Mike Malone, a Becky Hammond. Not Mitch Johnson. So, I thinking I think he probably drove that ship and said, “No, I gotta get out there. I gotta be out there.” Because I think on the list, wasn’t it RC Buer that was supposed to talk and I don’t think Buford did, did he? He did not. Yeah, you know, I can only assume that that Pop pushed hard for Mitch to be the guy with the pull that he still obviously has within the organization. But no, I I thought the day was really well handled. Couldn’t have gone smoother. And and I mean this man, I mean this with all due respect to Mitch Johnson. I don’t remember much of what he said because my my thoughts and emotions and eyes kept going back to Coach Pop. And when he entered the room, everybody was right on him. when he left the room, everybody was right on pop. So, uh, yeah, just a day that I didn’t know if it was going to happen, but I wondered for days if that’s the way the day was going to play out. And I’m glad it played out the way I did. And kudos to to all parties involved. And, uh, it’s just it’s it’s just something that I’d never really experienced a press conference. I’d have to think hard here. In my 29 years, I’m not sure I’d really experienced a, you know, I’ve been to negative press conferences where bad things have happened and people had to had to speak out, but just one that had the human touch and feel of this one. It it’d been a while, if ever, since I’d experienced one like that. Yeah, I I think maybe the the one for me, I obviously pop a conference took the cake, but maybe it was um Manu’s retirement because I think of them big three, only Manu had a retirement conference. Tony didn’t and uh Timmy didn’t. I think that one was up there for me. I I think I think I I’ll put the Josh Primo situation up there as well. That was jarring because nobody saw that coming. But yeah, but as far as Papovic is concerned, yeah, that appearance, that conference was good. And the wit is still there. That humor, that funny bone, it’s still there. He had fun with media. He had fun with Tim Duncan and Manu about them getting revenge on him for the years of torture he that he gave to them. So um you know obviously and then too the Elfe t-shirt you know showing that little uh you know funny side that still there. So although the body may not be there as powerful as it was before but the mind is still there and for him to move into position. Yeah. I mean that’s huge. your thoughts. Despite the setbacks, Pop’s piece of Monday done only how Pop could do it. That’s all I can say. Uh it was just classic. It was classic pop despite all he’s been through. Absolutely 100%. Yeah. You know, you know, before we put a a wrap on this segment real quickly, you know, the one moment I had with Papovic, and sure, have I been popped? Yes, I have. But um uh I think but I guess one of the most memorable moments is I believe it was during the co era and they were still doing zoom conference calls and this is when um I think they had introduced the uh black with the silver I was black and silver with the black jerseys with the fiesta colors striped across it. The first city edition real Fiesta color jerseys. Wow. And um I was on the conference call and I say, “You know what? Pop was around when the team first introduced those colors back in the 90s.” So I was able to have a walk down memory lane about those colors with Papovic. I I remember asking him on the call like, “So they brought back the old Fiesta Colors, Pop. You were there when it all started. Your thoughts?” and he started talking about how fans hated him that there was a push back on them that nobody they couldn’t nobody got it. So it was good to kind of go through memory lane with him with that little moment and sure. Have I been popped? Yeah. Has he made fun of me in in in the huddles back when they used to do the conferences in the hallway outside of the locker room? Yes, I have. But that one was always fun. that that was a fun and even just ones that I maybe didn’t interact with, but I was there when he threw up his hands regarding the Kawhi Leonard situation. It was in Barkley Center in Brooklyn and somebody asked him, “Oh, so what’s the status with Kawawaii?” Because Kawhai had just played the night before a couple nights in Madison Square Garden and the Spurs usually play the Nets after and that MSG game was Kawi’s last game as a Spur. So the net following game, the Nets, this is he literally threw his hands up. He’s like, “I don’t know. You’re going to have to talk to his people.” But like, I was there for that moment when he even he was exasperated about the whole situation. What about you, Vinnie? Any favorite moments? Uh, as I said, I’ve been I’ve been I’ve been popped a few times. Um, years ago when they were going to play Golden State in the playoffs, and this was when Mike Brown, I think, was the interim when Steep had some medical issues going on. and uh Mike Brown had had popped off in at the uh at one of the Golden State media availabilities and said something about I should be fine. I’m coaching against an old man there in San Antonio. So I said uh I said uh Mike Brown uh said uh said you’re an old man and uh he’s like old man I’m 68. He really wasn’t getting on me. He was kind of having fun with it with my kind of getting on him. But uh yeah that that was a memory. And then uh of course um one time I I asked him uh uh at the old Spurs practice facility something about he had talked about the lack of energy. So I asked him an energy question and I guess I caught him at a wrong time. He didn’t like the way I asked the question and he finished up his answer by basically something that doesn’t mean you have a lack of energy. And he finished just giving me the best he finished the soundbite giving me the best death stare ever. I I immediately went from 5’8 to like 3 foot8. So Oh yeah. Yeah. I I’ve been in that situation before. Also too, just I remember seeing him at public events like for example when they’re you know Christmas time and uh there’s kids around just how he interacts with the with the little kids. I’ve seen I saw that you know real time you know he’s like a big grandpa to them. They’re just kind of I have an image I have an image on my phone that I froze. It was a still picture. It was a No, it was a piece of video that I froze and then took a still picture of and posted it on my Vinnie Kim 5 page. It was just this beautiful moment of him handing a box of shoes to this little boy. And this little boy was he seemed scared of this big of this big man, but Pop just got down on his level and handed him a box of shoes and had this sweet little smile on his face. So, yeah, he’s a really good man. and he’s gruff with us, but uh no he he loves his community, loves his country and uh you know he’s he takes his stances because that’s what he believes and you have to very much admire him for that. Absolutely. And also too even before you know he got hit physically you know with the stroke he was very courageous when he spoke his minds about real world events and politics. So what do you care? And I’m pretty sure there are people in the organization are like I don’t know you should be doing that pop but he still went forward and did it. All right. All those coaches, other coaches have now taken his queue and players have followed his lead. No doubt. Yeah. No doubt. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. He set a standard there. All right. Uh we’re done talking about Papovic and his public appearance first since he suffered a medical incident. Let us know what you think about that moment in time. That’s a huge piece of Spurs franchise history. We all got to witness. Vinnie was there, but we all saw it in either on YouTube or Ken Five. You we saw it and we got to hear what you all thought. Leave us your comments ASAP. Leave it on the YouTube page here at Lockdown Spurs. Just subscribe, leave a comment. We’ll read in a future episode. You also let Vinnie know your thoughts by following on X at Venzetta. Do that right now. When we get back, we’re going to talk about NBA playoffs. Is San Antonio a top free agent destination? All that and more right here with Vinnie Vincetta. And but first, I want to talk to you about open phone. Running a small business means you’re wearing a lot of hats. Your personal phone becomes your business phone, and before you know it, you’re juggling customer calls day and night. As your team grows, it becomes impossible to manage everything with just your personal number. That’s where Open Phone comes in. 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We’re back right here on Lockdown Sports with Vinnie Vincetta. My pick for pop successor. Didn’t go through though. Didn’t happen Vinnie. So sorry about that. Yeah, I think they I think they looked at the resume and said, “Okay, yeah, this guy got got his five seconds.” Next. Yeah. Yeah. Next. Yeah. Next. He is with Ken’s 5TV. Follow him on XB Vincet. Do it right now. Hey, you know, before we get into whether San Antonio is a top free agent destination, shout out NBA playoffs. I don’t know if y’all been watching these series. I first of all, no home team defended their home turf in the semis. It is just wild. The first time in NBA history. You got buzzer beaters by the Knicks. You got a couple buzz buzzer beaters by uh Hallebertton with the Pacers. You got the Knicks storming back against Boston. I mean, this is just a wild moment in NBA playoffs history, isn’t it? I mean, if you want to be entertained, if you want great fourth quarter drama, I mean, tune in. Now, we’re not here to say that every game moving forward is gonna be fantastic, but even in the first round and especially these first four games in round two, Yeah. It’s been it’s been incredible, man. It’s been it’s been must be TV. It’s been good good stuff. Like I I I know that uh you know that they argue that NBA ratings have been down maybe across the board, but right now gosh, these series are just uh you know, spectacular. And it’s it’s worth it’s worth the price of admission right now for sure. Yeah, I was watching the Pacers game too versus the Cavs and Yeah, I that’s the way they just came back. Th those Pacers, Tyresese Hallebertton, who remember everybody was voted the most overrated player by his peers and was okay. Yeah. Yeah. The Athletic did an anonymous player poll and anonymous players said that he’s the most overrated. So, Yep. He’s shown up these first two games. He’s shown up in these first two against the Cavs who had the best record in the East, did they not? Or maybe the second best record in the East. Yeah, they were. Yeah, they’re up there. Yeah, they definitely were up there. Yeah. Yeah. And then of course my second team, my second home, New York, New York City, the Knicks. I I mean that storm backed with it against Boston. A team that they that thought that many would just slaughter the Knicks. I did I I I remember telling somebody, “Hey, if the Knicks are still in it and the final score is Boston 110, Knicks 107, I think that’s a win. That’s a win for them.” But to I mean it this the B that’s the mighty Boston Celtics you know the team that makes almost every three and they can’t they can’t go 15 of 60 from three that’s a problem that’s just wild it’s just wild they they literally died by the three versus the Knicks in game one. So exciting times. Hopefully the Spurs will be there maybe as soon as next season. Vinnie, what do you feel? I I wouldn’t argue against that as of today. I guess I I guess I reserve the right to change my mind, but uh I feel like I mean I’m I’m with I’m I’m with the great Sean Elliot. He he keeps saying the good days are on their way back and and I don’t think he means in three to five years. I think he means like quickly. Um yes. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. So make sure you’re all checking out those NBA playoffs right now. You know, one other topic I want to touch base with Vinnie and this actually one of Vinnie’s ideas here. uh topic that is is whether or not San Antonio is a free agent destination. You got Victor, you have Castle, they’re going to have a couple high draft picks. We’ll find out in a couple days where they’re going to pick. So, they definitely have a strong young core and hopefully they’ll break out of being a dweller seller and be in the in the playoff play and chase next season. That being said, Vinnie, they got some cash to spend. They got maybe some players to flip, but you know that’s for a whole other topic. But as far as just the team built right now, what do you think? Is San Antonio a free region destination now? So I’m going to say no for for the very biggest fish like the Giannises of the world. I I think guys like that who have, you know, superstar status. I think they want to get to a win right now championship type type fold type melt where where they feel like they’re the one missing piece. I I do think that other guys who maybe are like stars and maybe not superstars would want to come here to be a part of this continuous rebuild rebuild, excuse me. But I just feel like the the biggest guys, you know, the the the biggest five-star guys aren’t yet in San Antonio. Could be totally wrong. That’s but that’s just how I’m feeling. Yeah, Vegas believes that Giannis could be a could be a spur as soon as next season. They have them on the betting odds as number two. Uh but, you know, we’ll see how that pans out. And then there’s then there’s like you said those other free agents that can make a bigger impact despite not being a star level although he’s not an he well he possibly could be a free agent that is Nas Reed at Minnesota now he has a player option um so he could do that but nevertheless I mean that would be a huge pickup even a guy like Brook Lopez I the Spurs need a backup big man right and here’s a here’s a Brook Lopez who can hit the three shot I mean that that’ll fit in seamlessly But will they come to San Antonio? I think Wim is going to buck the trend. I think Wimi is going to buck it. I think he is okay with kind of recruiting players, telling free a potential free agent, hey, come to San Antonio. We’re building something special there. It’s all there. Think about it, too. I think they got a big ringing endorsement. Now, obviously was not a free agent signing, but for a guy like De’aran Fox to say, “If I’m going to be traded, I’m going to be traded to San Antonio.” That should speak volumes for potential free agents down the road. Vinnie, hope it does. Hope it does. Uh I just I just wonder when we always talk about, you know, are they going to are they a playoff team next year? Can they can they at least make the play in I mean I think the talent level is is there to at least do that. But and so maybe maybe that landing that big fish uh takes you to the upper echelon. I just I just think the biggest of fish want to feel a little bit better about their prospects here. But, you know, again, you you can sell a guy and say, “You’re the missing link. You’re the guy we need to graduate to the to the top of the line to move to the front of the line.” Um, but it’s going to be interesting. This is going to be a really really interesting summer because of of how they may flip the roster here and there, the cash they have to work with, where they wind up in the lottery next week. So, so many particulars to still play out at this point. Yeah, exactly. I do I do believe San Antonio will become a top free agent destination, but they got to do something first, Vinnie, and that’s win. They got to win. Yeah. Yeah. And that that that attracts those biggest names. No doubt. Yeah. Yeah. They they got to start winning as soon as next season. The bare minimum is play in. They got to get the play in because if they miss out again, that’s that will be seven years in a row of nothing after their 82 game slate. Nothing at the very least. At the very least, you got to be in the playin next year. Yeah, exactly. And you know, before I let you go, just a quick uh two cents. I want to get your two cents on this. So, yesterday’s lockdown Spurs, the topic was, and I just popped in my head right now because we’re talking about the makeup of the team moving forward. Um, is Mitch Johnson already in a hot seat situation uh starting in as soon as next season when he now is officially the new head coach? So, I wouldn’t put him in the hot seat uh as you move into training camp in the preseason in the first games, but I think there’s an expectation that you need there there’s no more messing around. Like if like like if there if there’s a new if there’s a new coach hire where success is expected immediately, I think unfortunately for Mitch, he just got that job. Um so they will expect results like there’s no more messing around. You have a guy that, you know, knock on wood, barring injury, is going to go down as one of the greatest of all time. And you have other pieces and you have all this capital and free Asian money and we’ll see what they do with it. But yeah, I I think Mitch will be in a situation where expectations will be high. Yeah, I’m right there with you. That was my opinion yesterday. I think expectations will be high. I think there will be somewhat of a little slack to start the season. Yep. But come around all-star break, all-star period right there, I think if this team is struggling, you’re going to hear a lot of push back on Mitch. If they’re right there to make a serious chase at a playin or possible playoff spot, you’ll feel the he’ll feel the voices and hear the voices and the stomping of the feet on the court. You literally like get this done, push it in them, help them get there. So he’s stuck there, you know, and but hey, you know, he practically has a readymade team. It almost is readyade. Cass, Fox, Wimi, and you got your secondary players, Vel, Sohan, Kellen. That’s a nice little roster they got there. So, uh, yeah. And then Mitch Johnson, 38-year-old, young. I think he’s he may be the youngest NBA head coach now. So yeah, a lot riding on those young shoulders, but uh we’ll see what it does. Yeah, he is Vinnie Vincensetta. Make sure to follow him on Vansetta. He’s with Kenspire TV. Vinnie, what are you working on? Oh gosh, just a lot of spring sports and I got a new little segment coming up on on weekends called a Vinnie visit where I just kind of visit with some of our local sports bases and talk shop and maybe dig up some bones on their life and have some fun with them. So we’ve kind of been shooting those and getting them in the can. and haven’t started airing them yet, but uh start looking forward here uh as we move into the late spring and summer. Some Vinnie visits and I’ll put those on Twitter after they air on the show on the weekend. So yeah, looking forward to that. See another reason for you to go follow Vinnie onx Vincetta. You get all that and so much more. Vinnie, thank you for coming out. Go ahead. Yeah, maybe down the road we’ll do a Vinnie visit with Jeff Garcia. I am all for it. I am down. Just tell me when. You know, uh I I don’t know if my my key pass still works at Ken, you know. We’ll see what happens there. Maybe they just discontinued it. But we’ll see. If not, I’ll call you. Be Vinnie. I’m out front. I’m out front. Let me let me in. Let me in. But that Yeah, I would love to do that. Vinnie, you know how to get a hold of me whenever you want to go and cross that bridge with me. Vinnie, as always, we thank you for making Lockown Spurs your first spot to always talk San Antonio Spurs. Just like everybody else, this is the first place you got to come to. The only place right here, Lockdown Spurs for all being silver and black. We are with Ken Spy Plus app. Download that app. Check us out. Also on YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, the list goes on and on and on. And by the way, kudos to Vinnie. You know, he he gave came up with the topic for today. Good job, Vinnie. Good job. He made my life easier, at least for a moment there, at least for one episode. That helped me out. Vinnie, again, thank you so much. And everybody else, you guys are the everyday. We’ll be back tomorrow talking all things silver and black as the Spurs off season continues. The lottery is right around the corner. Guess we might be talking about very, very soon. So, look forward to that. So, for Vinnie Vincetta, I am Jeff Garcia. We’re going to put a lock in this episode of Locked on [Music] [Music] Spurs. Heat. Heat. [Music]
Gregg Popovich’s return to the public eye after a stroke is pivotal for the San Antonio Spurs. With Mitch Johnson stepping in as the new head coach, the Spurs are navigating a transformative period. How will these changes impact the team’s future in the NBA?
Explore the dynamics of Popovich’s courageous appearance and Johnson’s appointment, as host Jeff Garcia and guest Vinnie Vinzetta from KENS 5 TV discuss the implications for the Spurs’ strategy.
The episode also covers the excitement of the current NBA playoffs, featuring standout performances and the potential of San Antonio as a free agent destination.
0:00 Intro: Popovich’s first public appearance since stroke
5:31 Mitch Johnson welcomed as new head coach
10:06 Popovich’s courage and impact on San Antonio
17:52 Memorable moments with Coach Pop
23:31 Exciting NBA playoffs and buzzer beaters
27:20 Is San Antonio a top free agent destination?
30:42 Expectations for Mitch Johnson as head coach
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