Spurs Take Inspiration from Popovich's Words Ahead of Playoffs, 2026

The San Antonio Spurs draw motivation from Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich's address to the team ahead of their playoff series.

Spurs Have Postseason Knowledge to Lean On The San Antonio Spurs, despite Victor Wembanyama and many of his teammates making their playoff debut Sunday, possess a wealth of postseason experience to draw upon. This knowledge is largely attributed to the franchise's former coach, Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich. The team's current players can benefit greatly from Popovich's guidance, who continues to rehabilitate from a stroke suffered on November 2, 2024. Popovich's presence at the team's practice facility has been a constant source of support for the players. ## Popovich's Address Offers Team Perspective and Encouragement Popovich addressed the team earlier this week prior to their first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers. He emphasized the importance of staying true to themselves and not altering their approach, as Stephon Castle, a guard for the Spurs, recalled. According to Castle, Popovich shared his insights on the team's performance, praising their ability to put themselves in advantageous positions. Castle stated, 'He gave us another perspective on how well we've been playing and the position we've put ourselves in. So, just keep doing what we've been doing to get in those spots.' ## Popovich's Advice Sounds Familiar to the Team The Spurs' veteran players have a deep respect for Popovich's guidance, which is not surprising given his impressive coaching record. De'Aaron Fox noted, 'He's one of the winningest coaches ever, one of the coaches with the most rings ever.' This sentiment was echoed by Keldon Johnson, who added, 'He looks amazing. He's doing great. It's always good to see him. He stays in touch. He texts me or calls me from time to time, probably every other day.' Johnson also highlighted Popovich's continued impact on the team, stating, 'Just seeing how he's progressing, seeing how well he's doing, it's just the ultimate satisfaction, honestly.' ## Young Players Benefit from Popovich's Mentorship In addition to Wembanyama and Johnson, Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie are also experiencing the postseason for the first time. These young players have been influenced by Popovich's guidance, which has helped them grow both on and off the court. In particular, Stephon Castle has benefited from Popovich's mentorship, saying, 'He's helped me and a lot of the other guys on the team, just having somebody to talk to.' Popovich's approachability and willingness to offer advice have made a significant impact on the team. ## Popovich's Progress a Source of Encouragement Popovich's continued progress in his recovery has been a source of encouragement for the team. As Keldon Johnson noted, 'He's very encouraging.. I mean, he's definitely still himself. He's still sharp. He's still very much Pop. He has not skipped a beat at all.' This sentiment was echoed by the team's players, who have been inspired by Popovich's resilience and determination.