Facing Jazz, Keldon Johnson came off the bench, as 6th man. It was the second time in a row, but above all only the 5th time in his career! Spurs executive, the Olympic champion is paying the price for his team's failed start to the season, and the repeated experiences of Gregg Popovich. The San Antonio coach is still looking for the right formula, and Keldon Johnson will therefore start on the bench. For the moment…
“This is what my team needs. When the coach told me we needed it, I said I was OK.” says Keldon Johnson, who should come off the bench for the “back-to-back” against the Blazers. “It’s a need, and it’s what we’re trying to do.” So, we're going to do it, and I have no ego about it. I'm going to get involved in this role and try to be a star in this role. »
The new Manu Ginobili?
So there’s no point in motivating him by reminding him that Manu Ginobili experienced the same fate…
“Just having a legendary coach like Pop is enough,” answers Keldon Johnson. “The fact that he saw it, that he came to see me and that he talked to me, that’s all I needed. »
For Gregg Popovich, it's about focusing the attack of his starting five on Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, and bringing punch to his bench. It's Julian Champagnie who now starts at the back, and this new formula seems to suit Keldon Johnson with 16 points against the Mavericks, then 26 against the Jazz.
“I thought it worked well” confirms Gregg Popovich. “For the most part, it was our starting five that let us down. » But Coach Pop' warns that he is not done with his experiments…
Soon a change in the lead?
“We are always looking for consistency,” insists the San Antonio coach. “We have ups and downs and we are not yet mature enough to understand that winning a game in the NBA is difficult and requires consistency. (…) This is partly due to youth, and partly to the fact that I probably have to demand it of certain people. It’s time to be more consistent, or I’ll make more changes.”
In his sights, Malaki Branham, established in the lead for 15 matches, but left on the bench in the second half against Jazz. “A match lasts 48 minutes. We cannot be consistent in attack and defend for only 20 minutes. We won't win like that.” he warns without naming his “leader”.
