By Jeff McDonald, Staff writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-11-05 14:22:03
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
2024年2月2日星期五，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的霜冻银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队助理教练马修·尼尔森（左）和米奇·约翰逊在上半场对阵新奥尔良鹈鹕队的比赛中互相耳语。马刺队以113-114输给了鹈鹕队。
休斯顿——周一在Intuit Dome球馆，马刺队26分的领先优势完全消失，比分被扳平，曾经充满希望的胜利如今岌岌可危。
洛杉矶快船队后卫阿米尔·科菲在左侧三分线外得到一个空位投篮机会。场上所有五名马刺球员都站在原地，看着他出手。
在距离他最近的防守球员大概在特米库拉附近的情况下，科菲稳稳命中了他本场第五个三分球，比赛还剩6分23秒，这引发了快船队最后的攻势，最终马刺队以104-113的比分令人失望地输掉了比赛。
马刺队不知道格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)那一刻究竟在哪里。他们只知道无论他在哪里，他们抱恙的主教练都不会高兴。
“我们知道他会看着比赛，他会告诉我们他看到了什么，”控球后卫克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)说道。“如果我们不防守，我们就会听到他的批评。”
马刺队立即听到了批评，但不是来自波波维奇，而是来自米奇·约翰逊，这位37岁的助理教练肩负着为篮球史上胜场最多的教练代班的艰巨任务。
波波维奇已经错过了周六战胜明尼苏达森林狼的比赛，原因是未公开的医疗事件。 马刺队在周一上午宣布，这位75岁的名人堂成员将不会随队参加周三在休斯顿结束的两场客场比赛。
俱乐部将波波维奇的缺席列为无限期，这意味着他缺席的时间可能会超过马刺队周四的主场回归。在此期间，帅印将由约翰逊执掌。
这是任何一位NBA年轻教练都梦寐以求的机会。当然，约翰逊希望他的梦想机会是在不同的情况下出现的。
“波波对我们球队的 影响 ，从他执教过的球员和与他共事过的工作人员，到圣安东尼奥的社区——很难用言语表达，”约翰逊说道。“就我个人而言，他对我来说意义非凡。现在，他的健康是第一位的。”
约翰逊说，在波波维奇缺席的情况下，目标是继续马刺队所谓的“常规节目”。
“显然，情况很特殊，”约翰逊说。“但我们正在寻求的是尽可能多的连续性和熟悉度。我们知道波波希望我们这样做。”
这不是约翰逊第一次被要求替补波波维奇。
2021年5月，约翰逊执教马刺队输给了菲尼克斯太阳队，当时波波维奇请假参加蒂姆·邓肯的名人堂入选仪式。2023年3月，由于波波维奇身体不适，约翰逊带领球队战胜了印第安纳步行者队。
这次不同。球队无法给出波波维奇何时可以恢复工作的时间表，因为目前根本没有这样的时间表。
马刺队所能说的就是，目前，他们的计划是用目前工作中的第三年轻的教练暂时取代NBA历史上最年长的教练。
只有波士顿凯尔特人队的乔·马祖拉(Joe Mazzulla)和犹他爵士队的威尔·哈迪(Will Hardy)——两人都36岁——比约翰逊年轻。
即便如此，在约翰逊娃娃脸的背后，隐藏着一种奉献精神和庄严气质，即使是马刺队经验最丰富的球员也对此印象深刻。
“他博学多识，”拥有12年NBA经验的前锋哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)说道。“当他向全队讲话时，他有一种很好的主教练风范。他善于清楚地表达他希望我们做什么。”
比约翰逊大一岁的保罗，部分原因是为了有机会与波波维奇合作，而选择在马刺队征战他的第20个NBA赛季。他说，在来到圣安东尼奥之前，他对约翰逊并不了解。
对保罗来说，约翰逊是波波维奇替补席上那个有点烦人的年轻人，他似乎总是提前知道对手球队的战术。
“我以前在其他球队的时候经常看到他，基本上会看着他，心想，‘伙计，别再试图叫破我们的战术了，’”保罗说道。
约翰逊是已故NBA全明星约翰·约翰逊的儿子，后者最著名的身份是1979年西雅图超音速队NBA总冠军球队的成员。约翰逊在马刺队的队伍中迅速晋升。
在斯坦福大学打了四年大学篮球——包括在2008年NCAA锦标赛的甜蜜十六强赛中输给了德克萨斯大学——之后，约翰逊开始着手打造自己的执教生涯。
2016年，马刺队聘请约翰逊担任其在奥斯汀的发展联盟附属球队的助理教练。三年后，他被提升到圣安东尼奥，加入了波波维奇的教练组。
2020年11月，约翰逊第一次体验了接替传奇人物的经历。在蒂姆·邓肯担任马刺队助理教练一个赛季后宣布结束他的NBA执教生涯后，约翰逊被选中填补这位球队传奇人物在替补席上的位置。
去年夏天，约翰逊担任美国男篮国家队助理教练，辅佐迈阿密热火队主教练埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉(Erik Spoelstra)，帮助美国队在巴黎奥运会上获得金牌。
“他是一位令人印象深刻的年轻教练，”斯波尔斯特拉说道。“你可以看出为什么波波这些年来给了他越来越多的责任。他是一位非常有效的沟通者。”
尽管教练组中已经有一位前NBA主教练，但冉冉升起的约翰逊还是被任命为马刺队的代理主教练。
波波维奇的长期助理布雷特·布朗(Brett Brown)曾担任费城76人队的主教练七年，执教了565场比赛。
选择约翰逊在马刺队的更衣室里很受欢迎，包括最高和最重要的球员。
“米奇在融入他自己的个性和以他自己的方式激励我们方面做得很好，”中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)说道。“当然，我们都想看到波波回来，但无论情况如何，我们的工作就是打球。”
与此同时，约翰逊处理波波维奇病假这一困难情况的能力给保罗留下了深刻的印象。
“米奇在第一场比赛中就挺身而出，以他需要的方式带领我们，”保罗说道。“我认为这是对波波以及一切运作方式的又一次肯定。”
简而言之，这就是马刺队计划如何应对未来不确定的日子。
波波维奇将在他们的脑海和心中，但约翰逊将是他们耳边的指导者。
San Antonio Spurs interim head coach Mitch Johnson gestures during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Interim coach Mitch Johnson reacts on the sidelines during the first half against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson disembarks from the team bus on Thursday afternoon, March 14, 2024, in Austin, Texas. The Spurs will be spending the weekend in Austin for their I-35 series games at the Moody Center. They’ll face the Denver Nuggets on Friday, March 15, and the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, March 17.
San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson directs play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in San Antonio, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs players Keldon Johnson, from left, Devonte’ Graham and Tre Jones talk as assistant coaches Matthew Nielsen and Mitch Johnson whisper to each other during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Frost Bank Center on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Pelicans, 114-113.
点击查看原文：Acting coach Mitch Johnson has San Antonio Spurs' ears
Acting coach Mitch Johnson has San Antonio Spurs’ ears
San Antonio Spurs assistant coaches Matthew Nielsen, left, and Mitch Johnson whisper to each other during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Frost Bank Center on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Pelicans, 114-113.
HOUSTON – The Spurs’ 26-point lead had fully vanished Monday at the Intuit Dome, the score tied, a once-promising outcome now precariously in doubt.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey lined up an open 3-pointer on the left arc for the lead. All five Spurs players on the court responded by standing around and watching him do it.
With his nearest defender located somewhere near Temecula, Coffey swished his fifth 3-pointer of the night with 6:23 to play, igniting a late push that sent the Spurs to a disappointing 113-104 defeat.
The Spurs had no way of knowing exactly where Gregg Popovich was at that moment. They only knew wherever he was, their ailing coach couldn’t have been happy.
“We know he’s going to be watching, he’s going to let us know what he sees,” point guard Chris Paul said. “If we don’t defend, we’re going to hear about it.”
The Spurs heard about it immediately not from Popovich but from Mitch Johnson, the 37-year-old assistant tabbed with the unenviable task of standing in for the winningest coach in basketball history.
Popovich had already missed Saturday’s win over Minnesota due to an undisclosed medical event. The Spurs announced Monday morning the 75-year-old Hall of Famer would not be with the team on the two-game trip that concludes Wednesday in Houston.
The club has categorized Popovich’s absence as indefinite, meaning it could extend beyond the Spurs’ return home Thursday. In the meantime, the reins belong to Johnson.
It is a chance any young coach in the NBA would covet. Johnson, of course, wishes his dream opportunity had come under different circumstances.
“Pop’s impact on our organization, from the players that he’s coached and the staff that’s worked with him, to the community in San Antonio – it’s hard to articulate,” Johnson said. “He’s been tremendous for me, personally. Right now, his health is the No. 1 priority.”
The goal with Popovich out, Johnson said, is to continue with what he calls the Spurs’ “regularly scheduled programming.”
“Obviously, the circumstances are unique,” Johnson said. “But as much continuity and familiarity we can have is what we’re looking for. That’s how we know Pop would want us to do it.”
This is not the first occasion in which Johnson has been asked to fill in for Popovich.
In May of 2021, Johnson coached the Spurs to a loss against Phoenix as Popovich took a leave to attend Tim Duncan’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony. In March of 2023, with Popovich under the weather, Johnson guided the team to a victory over Indiana.
This time is different. The team can offer no timetable for when Popovich might be cleared to return to work, because at present no such timetable exists.
All the Spurs can say is that, for now, the plan is to temporarily replace the oldest coach in NBA history with the third-youngest working today.
Only Boston’s Joe Mazzulla and Utah’s Will Hardy – both age 36 – are younger than Johnson.
Even so, behind Johnson’s baby face lies a dedication and gravitas that has impressed even the Spurs’ veteran-most players.
“He’s well-studied,” said forward Harrison Barnes, a 12-year NBA vet. “He has a great head-coaching demeanor when he addresses the group. He does a good job of clearly articulating what he wants us to do.”
Paul, who is one year older than Johnson, signed up to play his 20th NBA season with the Spurs in part for the chance to work with Popovich. He said he didn’t know much about Johnson until he arrived in San Antonio.
To Paul, Johnson was the slightly annoying young guy on Popovich’s bench who always seemed to know what the other team was running ahead of time.
“I used to see him when I was on other teams and basically look over there like, ‘Man, stop trying to call out our plays,’ ” Paul said.
The son of the late NBA All-Star John Johnson, who was best known as a member of the Seattle SuperSonics’ 1979 NBA championship squad, Johnson has elevated quickly through the Spurs’ ranks.
After a four-year college playing career at Stanford – which included a loss to Texas in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2008 NCAA tournament – Johnson set about to build a coaching career.
In 2016, the Spurs hired Johnson as an assistant coach with their G League affiliate in Austin. Three years later, he was promoted to Popovich’s staff in San Antonio.
In November 2020, Johnson had his first experience with replacing a legend. After Tim Duncan called an end to his NBA coaching career after one season as a Spurs assistant, Johnson was tabbed to fill the franchise icon’s position on the bench.
Last summer, Johnson served as an assistant coach with Team USA under Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, helping the Americans to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
“He is an impressive young coach,” Spoelstra said. “You can see why Pop has given him a lot more responsibility as the years have gone on. He is a very effective communicator.”
The up-and-coming Johnson was named the Spurs’ acting head coach despite the presence of a former NBA head coach already on staff.
Longtime Popovich assistant Brett Brown spent seven seasons as the coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, presiding over 565 games.
The choice of Johnson has played well among players in the Spurs’ locker room, including the tallest and most important one.
“Mitch is doing a great job at putting in his own personality and pushing us in his own way,” center Victor Wembanyama said. “Of course, we all want to see Pop back, but it’s our job to play regardless of the conditions.”
Johnson, meanwhile, has impressed Paul with his ability to handle a difficult situation accompanying Popovich’s medical leave.
“Mitch stepped right in that first game, led us the way that he needed to,” Paul said. “I think it’s another credit to Pop and how everything’s always operated.”
In a nutshell, that is how the Spurs plan to approach the uncertain days ahead.
Popovich will be on their minds and in their hearts, but Johnson will be the one in their ears.
San Antonio Spurs interim head coach Mitch Johnson gestures during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Interim coach Mitch Johnson reacts on the sidelines during the first half against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson disembarks from the team bus on Thursday afternoon, March 14, 2024, in Austin, Texas. The Spurs will be spending the weekend in Austin for their I-35 series games at the Moody Center. They’ll face the Denver Nuggets on Friday, March 15, and the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, March 17.
San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson directs play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in San Antonio, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs players Keldon Johnson, from left, Devonte’ Graham and Tre Jones talk as assistant coaches Matthew Nielsen and Mitch Johnson whisper to each other during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Frost Bank Center on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Pelicans, 114-113.
By Jeff McDonald, Staff writer, via San Antonio Express-News