Spurs’ Gregg Popovich, Victor Wembanyama’s candid take on first season together

The Spurs head coach since 1996, Popovich has gained a reputation for a blunt, no-nonsense style.

Wembanyama suggests that hasn’t changed.

“He’s there to poke on us sometimes or to correct us every time.”

When it comes to his young superstar, the term “poke” has thus far taken on a different meaning for Popovich.

“He will come back at me the same way so I don’t know what he’s thinking,” the longest-tenured coach in the NBA said of last summer’s No. 1 overall pick. “So he’s been fun to be around. He’s very intelligent and very inquisitive.”

Pop, Wembanyama, and the Spurs

Both Popovich and Wembanyama seem to appreciate each other within the franchise’s dynamic.

“We play a lot of little silly games with the team and he’s always at the forefront by trying to guess answers and do what he needs to do to win those situations,” the five-time championship coach said of the Rookie of the Year favorite.

“He’s jumped in with both feet to be part of everything that we’re doing. Having him around has not not only added to our basketball IQ but just the culture itself.”

Though just several months out of his teens, Wemby has already assumed a role as a leader on the Spurs. His outstanding play in his first taste of American basketball doesn’t hurt.

“The way my teammates and I have responded to all the advice, all the scouting reports we have to make, the efforts, the execution on the court, I think it’s just been great. The dynamic is very good.”

It’s a dynamic not foreign to the French-born Wembanyama. Because of Popovich.

“It didn’t surprise me because he made it clear before Day 1 actually,” the Spurs’ leading scorer said of the winningest coach in NBA history.

“It’s just been great. I know there’s so many situations in basketball in the league where the relationship between the coaches and players is far from perfect. I’m just glad things are the way they are here.”