Mitch Johnson keeps checking boxes Spurs fans needed to see

Stepping in for the greatest NBA coach of all time and picking up the mantle as Mitch Johnson has is no small feat. The newly stamped leader of the Spurs has been proving his worth all season long, but the playoffs are really where legends are born. That's true for coaches just like it is for the players, and four games into his first postseason appearance, Coach Johnson is passing his tests with flying colors.

Mitch Johnson's poise has been imperative to the Spurs

The truth of San Antonio's opening round series with Portland is that they have indeed looked like a young, inexperienced team at times. The Trail Blazers won Game 2, not because Victor Wembanyama went out, but because the Spurs couldn't stop shooting themselves in the foot at the end of the game. It was the first time in a long time that we've seen the guys unravel.

Coach Johnson has pulled the right strings at the perfect time to ensure that doesn't happen again. Going down early in a game is fine, even if it's by double digits. You may not prefer it, but a full 48 minutes must be played to determine the winner. There are no partial victories in sports. All that matters is who is ahead when the final buzzer sounds.

When the Spurs fell behind big in Games 3 and 4, Mitch didn't panic. His poise and dedication to drilling the guys on doing the little things have helped the Silver and Black maintain their identity from the regular season. They fight until the end but don't do it by slamming their heads against the wall. Smart adjustments are made, different lineups deployed, and he trusts his guys to follow through.

Popovich knew what he was doing when he chose Mitch Johnson

It wasn't just voices on the outside expressing doubt in former Coach Gregg Popovich's replacement choice. Plenty of Spurs fans hated the decision at the time, and a few of those hardheaded individuals are still holding onto those negative feelings (people can't stand admitting to being wrong). We need to call a spade a spade, though.

Mitch has excelled this season. He's a finalist for Coach of the Year as a rookie and has his team putting belt to rear in their first playoffs together. He's surpassed expectations by a country mile. Denying that is just foolish.

When you think about it, it truly makes the most logical sense. Pop has the most successful coaching tree in NBA history, and he dedicated much of his adult life to the San Antonio Spurs. Of course, he was going to make sure the person to succeed him was prepared to hit the ground running.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow