The San Antonio Spurs, inspired by Gregg Popovich's address, are ready for their playoff debut against the Portland Trail Blazers. Popovich emphasized staying true to their successful season strategy.
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While Victor Wembanyama and most of his San Antonio Spurs teammates will make their playoff debut Sunday, the Spurs actually have a ton of postseason knowledge to lean on.
The greatest source of information and inspiration, however, comes from the franchise's former coach, Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich.
A fixture at the Spurs practice facility while he continues to rehabilitate from a stroke suffered Nov. 2, 2024, Popovich, 77, addressed the team earlier this week prior to its first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers.
"[Popovich said] just to be us, not to really do anything different from what we've been doing all season," guard Stephon Castle said. "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."
Sound advice for a team that finished with the league's second-best record at 62-20 and won the Southwest Division for the first time since 2017.
"He's one of the winningest coaches ever, one of the coaches with the most rings ever," De'Aaron Fox told reporters Friday. "So it's only right that he felt like he needed to come in and preach to the choir."
Added Spurs veteran Keldon Johnson to The Athletic: "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. ... Just seeing how he's progressing, seeing how well he's doing, it's just the ultimate satisfaction, honestly."
In addition to Wembanyama and Johnson, Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie are also in the postseason for the first time.
Wembanyama (22), Castle (21), Champagnie (24) and Vassell (25), (20) and (20) lead an energetic and athletic roster that finished third in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Gregg Popovich advised the Spurs to remain themselves and continue their successful season approach.
The Spurs finished the regular season with a 62-20 record, securing the second-best record in the league.
The Spurs are facing the Portland Trail Blazers in their first-round playoff series.
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Castle said Popovich has helped serve as a mentor.
"He's helped me and a lot of the other guys on the team, just having somebody to talk to," Castle said. "Whether games are going good, games are going bad, just knowing Pop, he'll always tell you the real."
Said Johnson: "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."