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According to San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Patty Mills, head coach Gregg Popovich “had to adjust the way he has had to coach” with Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard gone.
Mills is the longest–tenured Spur at the moment. Ginobili retired, Parker signed with the Charlotte Hornets and Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors after he requested a trade.
Mills says Popovich, understanding he's dealing with a new roster with new personalities, changed the way he coaches, and it has paid off in a big way for the Spurs.
“It’s a massive [change],” Mills told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. “He’s had to adjust the way he has had to coach. He’s definitely held back. He’s been coaching David Robinson and Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili for all these years. He had players that could handle criticism, whether it’s in person or in front of the team. He isn’t doing as much of that. He’s gotten softer I guess in his old age.”
The Spurs don't have a superstar on the roster, and yet they are going to make the playoffs in the rugged Western Conference.
All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge has been consistent all season and guys like Patty Mills have filled their roles very well.
The common denominator will always be Gregg Popovich, though. He is arguably the best coach in NBA history and continues to show his versatility.
