Player The Methodical Meritocracy of Maestro Mitch Johnson and his Many Minions

[SpursBills]

Mitch has the narrative for COY, but Mazzulla is probably right there with him

Gotta call out Boston's FO and player development, this season so far's been ridiculous for them:
Tatum out. Porzingis gone. Holiday gone. Kornet gone.

Queta, minimum contract, 94th percentile EPM. Jordan Walsh second rounder, Josh Minott scrap heap, Hugo Gonzalez late first rookie making up one of the best defensive wing corps in the league. Derrick White shooting <40% overall, still 98th percentile EPM. Boston now 3rd in the east 2 back in the loss column for second

Mazzulla might be legitimately insane as a person, but this is a near Spoelstra-level job he's been doing so far in the regular season

 

[PanameSpur]

Isn't there a "habit" of the COY losing early in the PO most of the time?

 

[LeBowen]

Isn't there a "habit" of the COY losing early in the PO most of the time?

More like getting fired within a year or two.

Mitch has the narrative for COY, but Mazzulla is probably right there with him

Gotta call out Boston's FO and player development, this season so far's been ridiculous for them:
Tatum out. Porzingis gone. Holiday gone. Kornet gone.

Queta, minimum contract, 94th percentile EPM. Jordan Walsh second rounder, Josh Minott scrap heap, Hugo Gonzalez late first rookie making up one of the best defensive wing corps in the league. Derrick White shooting <40% overall, still 98th percentile EPM. Boston now 3rd in the east 2 back in the loss column for second

Mazzulla might be legitimately insane as a person, but this is a near Spoelstra-level job he's been doing so far in the regular season

Mitch surely gets it if we finish in top3.

 

[Ice009]

Isn't there a "habit" of the COY losing early in the PO most of the time?

Don't know. I don't normally follow what the CoY have done in the playoffs.

 

[timtonymanu]

It’s the COY curse that the coaches that win the award get fired a couple seasons later.
There’s exceptions like Pop and Kerr.

I’m actually amazed Spo has never won a COY award.

 

[OK Computer]

“Processes”
“Deliverables”

This guy speaks like he’s a process engineer for a manufacturing company.

This is a good interview that shows that the same philosophy and ideas are being preached by Mitch. Same values, different coach. Brings up continuity and defensive versatility as Pop would.

I’m posting about this because I want to remind everyone that the front office is backing Mitch. This is where my logic revolves around for future moves: trades, free agency, and the draft.

This front office wants Mitch’s vision to be enacted. They want him to succeed. You don’t get the full breadth of someone’s vision if you don’t put them in the best position. The franchise obviously believes in Mitch. They want to try to have another coach that’s here for a couple decades.

How does that happen? By supporting them 100%. It means not drafting someone who could be a locker room malcontent (a strong hunch I have with Yaxel Lendeborg). It means trading for a player who knows how to act like a professional, like Harrison Barnes. Mitch has been fortunate that he’s been given a roster that is receptive to his coaching. That doesn’t happen out of the blue - these specific players were heavily scouted to see if they were a culture fit, to see if they would follow the “Spurs way”… and it will continue to be that way.

 

[DTW]

The spacing deficient and solo ball handler lineups need to stop yesterday. Can't play Harper-Castle-Kornet together and lately Bryant with some combination thereof and expect a functional offense.

With Vassell out, Olynyk or Waters should take his spot in the rotation.

 

[Correct Crusader]

It’s the COY curse that the coaches that win the award get fired a couple seasons later.
There’s exceptions like Pop and Kerr.

I’m actually amazed Spo has never won a COY award.

COTY award is stupid. It's just for whatever team has the most surprising record at the end of the year.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

We gotta remind ourselves that Mitch is learning on the job as well. Sometimes he outcoaches guys, sometimes he gets outcoached, but he‘s technically in his rookie year as a headcoach, so this is expected.

 

[poopbox]

We gotta remind ourselves that Mitch is learning on the job as well. Sometimes he outcoaches guys, sometimes he gets outcoached, but he‘s technically in his rookie year as a headcoach, so this is expected.

Yeah the most egregious thing I've seen him do this year is take out a player who was playing really well with no regard for time and score and we watched pop do it for two decades so not really a big deal

I also think this team right now is still a ways away from there final form. Think Mitch is getting the most out of the Spurs so far this year as can be gotten out of them.

 

[scott]

Yeah the most egregious thing I've seen him do this year is take out a player who was playing really well with no regard for time and score and we watched pop do it for two decades so not really a big deal

I also think this team right now is still a ways away from there final form. Think Mitch is getting the most out of the Spurs so far this year as can be gotten out of them.

I think it's worthwhile to take inventory of where Mitch could improve, if for no other reason than to check back periodically to see how we feel he's progressing.

In my eyes:

1. Rotations, which goes to your point Mr. Poopbox. Mitch is definitely quite rigid in his approach. Wemby and Fox always come out at 7 minutes left in the 1st quarter. He sticks with the rotations in the 4th even when we finally gain the momentum. He also likes to feel cute every now and then and completely sabotage his own team with inexplicable Sochan/Waters substitutions. He's still figuring things out, but this needs to improve.
2. Challenges. I think I heard last game we've challenged amongst the fewest times this season... but StatMuse says Mitch is tied for 3rd for most Challenges Won this season (https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/who-has-won-the-most-coaches-challenges-this-season). I couldn't find any official stats, so I don't know the answer. In any event... it seems like we miss opportunities to challenge... but my bigger area for improvement is...
3. Lobbying the ref. We see coaches do this all the time. Atkinson did it the other day against us and it paid immediate dividends. Mitch needs to get up a refs ass and even earn a technical or two when our guys are out there getting hacked with no call.
4. Set play development. This was a Pop staple back in the day. You knew when we called a TO we would have a great play coming out of it. But whenever we call a TO these days we seem to just fumble the ball away, or play ISO ball and throw up a desperation shot at the end of the shot clock. Can be better.

What am I missing on this list?

I'm really pleased with Mitch and the staff this year, overall, but that doesn't mean we can't take stock of the areas of improvement.

 

[ginobilized]

Nice list, scott!

I’d add a growing pet peeve that Mitch’s timeouts are often after an opponent’s made basket and we are running a 94 foot play vs. inbounding in the front court.

As far as ref lobbying, Wemby needs some real help there. He’s getting hacked -and pushed around constantly. An ejection would be warranted. Pop could help him there.

 

[Raven_]

my biggest problem, is that, while efficient, i just don't like the way we play or defend

 

[Shmurs]

He’s the prototypical “good at building a team and gameplan, not so good at managing games” coach.

Mike Tomlin but basketball. You can win with these guys. Carlisle has a touch of it tbh. Just need to hope they get inspired to process things a little better in the right moments.

 

[Area 51.247]

Defensive player development focused on lowering three point makes and %age.

 

[TowelWaver]

Nice list, scott!

I’d add a growing pet peeve that Mitch’s timeouts are often after an opponent’s made basket and we are running a 94 foot play vs. inbounding in the front court.

As far as ref lobbying, Wemby needs some real help there. He’s getting hacked -and pushed around constantly. An ejection would be warranted. Pop could help him there.

It seems like he never gets the benefit of a continuation for any fouls on made jump shots either—it gets called as a foul on the floor and side out.

 

[poopbox]

He’s the prototypical “good at building a team and gameplan, not so good at managing games” coach.

Mike Tomlin but basketball. You can win with these guys. Carlisle has a touch of it tbh. Just need to hope they get inspired to process things a little better in the right moments.

I mean he hasn't even been the real head coach for half a season and we already saying he can't manage games

 

[Guru of Nothing]

About lobbying, I want to see more early in the game, especially for Castle's drives to the rim. I think it's time the refs level up that whistle. [\homer]

 

[Shmurs]

I mean he hasn't even been the real head coach for half a season and we already saying he can't manage games

Why discuss him at all then, if he’s not a finished product?

 

[Paramore]

There is no dedicated Pop tribute chat, so ill share this here >>

 

[MannyIG]

I think it's worthwhile to take inventory of where Mitch could improve, if for no other reason than to check back periodically to see how we feel he's progressing.

In my eyes:

1. Rotations, which goes to your point Mr. Poopbox. Mitch is definitely quite rigid in his approach. Wemby and Fox always come out at 7 minutes left in the 1st quarter. He sticks with the rotations in the 4th even when we finally gain the momentum. He also likes to feel cute every now and then and completely sabotage his own team with inexplicable Sochan/Waters substitutions. He's still figuring things out, but this needs to improve.
2. Challenges. I think I heard last game we've challenged amongst the fewest times this season... but StatMuse says Mitch is tied for 3rd for most Challenges Won this season (https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/who-has-won-the-most-coaches-challenges-this-season). I couldn't find any official stats, so I don't know the answer. In any event... it seems like we miss opportunities to challenge... but my bigger area for improvement is...
3. Lobbying the ref. We see coaches do this all the time. Atkinson did it the other day against us and it paid immediate dividends. Mitch needs to get up a refs ass and even earn a technical or two when our guys are out there getting hacked with no call.
4. Set play development. This was a Pop staple back in the day. You knew when we called a TO we would have a great play coming out of it. But whenever we call a TO these days we seem to just fumble the ball away, or play ISO ball and throw up a desperation shot at the end of the shot clock. Can be better.

What am I missing on this list?

I'm really pleased with Mitch and the staff this year, overall, but that doesn't mean we can't take stock of the areas of improvement.

On 1., I won't argue that there aren't downsides, but does Mitch simply believe that this team needs rotational stability to figure out their roles considering how young they are? I think there's an argument to be made there. I think that he's learned to bench Sochan is a good sign that he's not too rigid. Especially considering how much is riding on this season for Jeremy. Its hard to point to other examples because I think thats been the only really tough decision they've had so far honestly.

I am not sure I'm sold either way but I do find it a plausible scenario.

On 2 I 1000000000000000000% agree. Against the Knicks the failure to challenge the 3 point foul was an atrocious mistake imo. (although now Im' wondering if they had a TO to do so) Either way, way too conservative on them.

 

[scott]

Shout out Coach Johnson for what we hope is the first of many awards for him as Spurs HC!

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007187660310491563

Also, these two are definitely the two main contenders for COTY at this point, imho.

(Chet won WC DPOM, fyi)

 

[RC_Drunkford]

Nice list, scott!

I’d add a growing pet peeve that Mitch’s timeouts are often after an opponent’s made basket and we are running a 94 foot play vs. inbounding in the front court.

As far as ref lobbying, Wemby needs some real help there. He’s getting hacked -and pushed around constantly. An ejection would be warranted. Pop could help him there.

Wemby has been talking a lot more to the refs the last couple of games. He's getting there.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

I think it's worthwhile to take inventory of where Mitch could improve, if for no other reason than to check back periodically to see how we feel he's progressing.

In my eyes:

1. Rotations, which goes to your point Mr. Poopbox. Mitch is definitely quite rigid in his approach. Wemby and Fox always come out at 7 minutes left in the 1st quarter. He sticks with the rotations in the 4th even when we finally gain the momentum. He also likes to feel cute every now and then and completely sabotage his own team with inexplicable Sochan/Waters substitutions. He's still figuring things out, but this needs to improve.
2. Challenges. I think I heard last game we've challenged amongst the fewest times this season... but StatMuse says Mitch is tied for 3rd for most Challenges Won this season (https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/who-has-won-the-most-coaches-challenges-this-season). I couldn't find any official stats, so I don't know the answer. In any event... it seems like we miss opportunities to challenge... but my bigger area for improvement is...
3. Lobbying the ref. We see coaches do this all the time. Atkinson did it the other day against us and it paid immediate dividends. Mitch needs to get up a refs ass and even earn a technical or two when our guys are out there getting hacked with no call.
4. Set play development. This was a Pop staple back in the day. You knew when we called a TO we would have a great play coming out of it. But whenever we call a TO these days we seem to just fumble the ball away, or play ISO ball and throw up a desperation shot at the end of the shot clock. Can be better.

What am I missing on this list?

I'm really pleased with Mitch and the staff this year, overall, but that doesn't mean we can't take stock of the areas of improvement.

I don't know if it was the Knicks or the Cavs game, but they showed a stat with him being 7-7 with 14 challenges total. I think he lost the one he called and should now be 7-8

 

[Paramore]