SAN ANTONIO – When Frostbank Center was packed with Spurs fans for their game against the Wizards on Wednesday night, John de Hoyos said all he could think about was Gregg Popovich.
“I just pray for his soul,” de Hoyos said. “Honestly, he started it all for the Spurs and the dynasty. He’s been there every step of the way, so it’s all there.”
“We’re all here waiting for him to come back,” Spurs fan Jalen Sandifer said.
On Wednesday, the Spurs confirmed that Popovich suffered a mild stroke earlier this month. The team said Popovich is undergoing a rehabilitation program and is expected to make a full recovery.
“Coach Pop has been a leader in this organization for the last 30 years, right?” Spurs GM Brian Wright said in Wednesday’s pregame press conference. “And we’ve all met or gotten to know people who have a different aura or presence, and obviously he is one of those people.”
Mitch Johnson will lead the team until Popovich returns.
“It hurts. We’re all family to the Spurs,” said Spurs fan Ian Gonzalez.
Popovich has the most wins of any NBA coach. Longtime fans like Sue Grevener said it’s hard to think of the Spurs without Popovich.
“He’s everything,” she said.
Wright emphasized the importance of the team’s need to come together in Popovich’s absence.
“Like I said, Pop has led this organization for 30 years, and at some point we’d all be foolish if we didn’t pay attention and watch (or) learn,” Wright said. said. “Like I said before, it’s not one person’s job to play the role of pop at this point. It’s a village. We all bonded. We all played that part. He’s doing his part and will continue to do so. That’s what he wants and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
It’s still unclear when Popovich will return to the sideline.
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