Mitch Johnson’s Spurs Are Ahead of Schedule - But the Learning Curve Is Real
Mitch Johnson’s first full season at the helm of the San Antonio Spurs has been nothing short of impressive on paper. The team is tracking toward a 55-win campaign, Johnson is set to coach in the All-Star Game, and his name’s firmly in the Coach of the Year conversation.
That’s a remarkable résumé for a first-year head coach. But as any seasoned NBA observer knows, the numbers don’t always tell the whole story - and in Johnson’s case, they don’t capture the growing pains that come with leading a young team through a new era.
Johnson has shown he belongs, but he’s also navigating the inevitable bumps in the road. His rotations, at times, have left fans scratching their heads.
One night he’ll ride the hot hand; the next, he’ll pull a player mid-heater and lean on someone struggling to find rhythm. It’s the kind of inconsistency that comes with a coach still figuring out how to manage in-game momentum and trust his gut under pressure.
The Rotation Roulette
A recent example came in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets, where Dylan Harper was cooking - 20 points through three quarters - only to find himself glued to the bench in the fourth. The Spurs needed a spark, and Harper had been that guy.
Instead, Johnson went in a different direction, and the offense sputtered. It was a decision that didn’t sit well with fans, and understandably so.
Another head-scratcher has been Johnson’s reluctance to consistently play De’Aaron Fox, Harper, and Stephon Castle together. On paper, it’s a trio that offers speed, shot creation, and defensive versatility.
Johnson has taken steps to make it work - sliding Fox to the two and spacing the floor - but hasn’t fully leaned into the experiment. Fox, for his part, has been up and down this season, and part of that is tied to his shifting role.
He’s spent more time off the ball than he’s used to, which has limited his ability to control the tempo and get into a rhythm. Lately, he’s seen more ball-handling opportunities, and unsurprisingly, the offense has looked better when he’s in command.
There’s also been some conservatism with coach’s challenges. Johnson has passed up chances to contest calls that could’ve shifted momentum or preserved key possessions late in games. That’s an area where experience tends to sharpen instincts - and Johnson’s still building that in-game feel.
The Good: Bold Calls and Smart Adjustments
To be fair, Johnson’s not just making mistakes - he’s also making bold, calculated decisions that are paying off. One of the more impactful moves was removing Jeremy Sochan from the rotation.
Sochan’s versatility is valuable, but spacing has been a premium for this Spurs team, and Johnson recognized that. The offense has flowed better as a result.
He’s also found something intriguing in the pairing of Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet. It’s an unconventional frontcourt duo, but it’s worked - giving the Spurs size, rim protection, and enough spacing to keep the offense from bogging down. Johnson has gone back to that look multiple times, and it’s become a reliable wrinkle in the rotation.
Perhaps most telling of Johnson’s willingness to make tough calls: he benched Harrison Barnes, ending a streak of 350 consecutive starts, in favor of Julian Champagnie. That’s not an easy decision - Barnes is a respected vet, and sitting him sends a message. But it also signaled that Johnson is prioritizing fit and performance over reputation, and that’s the kind of leadership that earns respect in a locker room.
Still Learning, Still Leading
There’s no doubt Mitch Johnson is still learning on the job. He’s made some puzzling choices, and the Spurs have felt the effects during stretches of inconsistent play.
But the bigger picture is promising. He’s shown the ability to adjust, to make bold decisions when needed, and to steer a young roster toward a winning identity.
This team isn’t just about development anymore - they’re winning games, playing competitive basketball, and building something real. Johnson’s fingerprints are all over that progress. The challenge now is tightening the screws, finding the right combinations, and empowering his stars - particularly Fox - to thrive in roles that maximize their strengths.
The Spurs are ahead of schedule, and so is their head coach. But the road to contention is never smooth.
For Johnson, the next step is learning how to navigate the bumps without veering off course. If he can do that, San Antonio’s future looks even brighter than their already impressive present.