Popovich tightens the reins as Spurs’ talent signals end of learning curve

During the height of the Spur's reign in the Western Conference, Coach Popovich was recognized as the best coach in the NBA. When Phil Jackson was winning with the Lakers in the early 2000s, it was more of a conversation, but that debate ended as Pop stacked 50-win seasons while morphing his team's philosophy each year depending on who was in the lineup.

He was tough on the players, and while his ability to do that was a gift from Tim Duncan's humility, he did it masterfully. He's always had the perfect balance between developing relationships with the guys off the court and being their drill sergeant on the floor.

Over the past few seasons, he's taken a step back from how strict he's been, but based on the talk coming from the players, Pop has raised his expectations and is back to demanding excellence.

The Spurs are ready to win games now and Pop won't settle for less

In the first Avengers movie, Loki led an army to fight Earth's heroes in an attempt to grasp power using the might of an Infinity Stone. He stole the stone from the government, which used it to build weapons. When Thor discovered this, he scolded the group of heroes, telling them that their exploits of the stone were a sign to the rest of the universe that they were ready for a higher form of war.

If you're following the analogy, Victor Wembanyama is an Infinity Stone, and his acquisition and growth are major catalysts for the work fans are seeing now. The NBA recognizes the talent brewing in San Antonio, so they gave the Spurs 21 national TV games this season.

The rest of the team's elevation and the addition of Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul are the cherries on top to help this team when times get tough because Coach Pop also knows that it's go-time. The players are ready for tough love and to be held to a higher standard. All the excuses are out the window, as most of the players have years of experience at this stage in their careers.

Pop is 75 years old, and he's not trying to be a developmental coach for the rest of his time in the league. He's a competitor, ready to challenge for the crown, and the push for greatness starts this season. When he calls a timeout within the first minute of a ball game, fans will know he's 100% back. Expect to see that, and when you do, just smile.