The San Antonio Spurs are experiencing a historic moment: a return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, but without Gregg Popovich on the bench. Yet even though his role changed following the stroke he suffered in November 2024, which effectively ended his coaching career, his presence remains central within the organization.

The group led on the floor by Victor Wembanyama has never stopped viewing Popovich as its ultimate point of reference. After the Game 7 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder that sent San Antonio back to the Finals, the French star immediately sought out his mentor upon arriving back in the city.

I saw him as soon as we landed. The emotion was something I hadn’t felt in a long time. But now we have to keep our feet on the ground – we haven’t done the hardest thing yet

Victor Wembanyama

Within the Spurs organization, Popovich is more than a legend: he remains an active presence, especially in the most important moments. Although he now serves as President of Basketball Operations and balances rehabilitation with organizational duties, he continues to attend team meals, practices, and basketball meetings.

And when he walks into the film room or the practice facility, the impact is still the same as it has always been. As Keldon Johnson explained, the reaction is immediate:

When Pop walks into a room, everybody gets quiet

Keldon Johnson

A culture built by greatness

It’s not just Popovich. The Spurs structure remains filled with figures who helped shape recent NBA history. Head coach Mitch Johnson, who took over after guiding the team through Popovich’s post-stroke absence, continues to consult with him on a regular basis.

More importantly, legends such as Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili, and David Robinson can still be found around the organization, alongside longtime Spurs figures like Sean Elliott and Bruce Bowen. It is a rare NBA ecosystem where experience is not just preserved as memory, but actively contributes to the daily operation of the franchise.

Even CEO R.C. Buford, the former general manager and two-time Executive of the Year, remains one of the key voices behind the Spurs’ present-day success.

De’Aaron Fox, one of the team’s veterans, emphasized that very point:

It’s not just Pop. There are people here who have won and experienced everything. You can ask anyone anything and learn something

De’Aaron Fox

A legacy that continues to lead

Popovich, now the NBA’s all-time leader in regular-season coaching victories with 1,422, remains a constant source of guidance for the coaching staff. His relationship with Mitch Johnson is as strong as ever, built on frequent conversations and direct advice.

Our relationship hasn’t changed. We talk, we exchange ideas, he challenges me and I ask him questions. He’s an incredible resource

Mitch Johnson

Johnson also explained how Popovich continues to call him, monitor practices, and point out even the smallest details: a missed rebound, an incorrect cut, a poor transition read.

It is an approach that remains faithful to Popovich’s philosophy: championships are not won solely through spectacular plays, but through relentless attention to detail.

And perhaps that is the key point. Even without coaching from the sidelines, Gregg Popovich remains the invisible engine of the Spurs. No longer standing in front of the whiteboard, but still present in every decision, every correction, and every defining moment.