Wembanyama's quote on Popovich is everything Spurs fans want to hear

Gregg Popovich is synonymous with the San Antonio Spurs. His unparalleled leadership, knowledge of the game, and ability to bring out the best in his players have helped him capture the most wins in league history and five championships. The 74-year-old playcaller will be on the Mount Rushmore of head coaches when he calls it a career, but it is his genuine commitment to investing in the personal lives of his personnel that sets him apart from his peers.

Hall of Fame players like David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker formed special relationships with Popovich on and off the court, laying a cultural foundation that set the franchise up for sustained success. Though San Antonio struggled to stay afloat in recent seasons, the basketball gods graced them with Victor Wembanyama. The towering phenom has said all the right things since joining the Spurs, including this reassuring statement on his new coach.

Bill Russell and Red Auerbach. Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson. Steph Curry and Steve Kerr. Duncan and Popovich. All of the legendary dynasties have been constructed around a generational superstar and a master manipulator of X's and O's. The Spurs recently signed Popovich to a five-year extension, and they landed their once-in-a-lifetime talent when they chose Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft. With both key ingredients in hand, San Antonio might be back in business.

The 7-foot-3 forward is on a well-deserved vacation after an exhausting season for Metropolitans 92, a whirlwind Summer League debut, and non-stop media obligations since he arrived stateside. Spurs fans will have to wait until October to watch Wembanyama and Popovich team up on the sidelines for the first time, but it sounds like they are already establishing a long-lasting connection. While it might take a minute to hit their stride, the league is in trouble once they get on the same page.