点击查看原文：Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, GM Brian Wright share strong bond

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, GM Brian Wright share strong bond

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, left, and general manager Brian Wright developed a strong relationship after they were both hired in 2016.

MILWAUKEE — Coach Mitch Johnson and general manager Brian Wright sat together chatting casually after Spurs shootarounds earlier this week at arenas in Miami and Memphis.

The conversations served as reminders that the Spurs don’t just have great chemistry in the locker room.

“I’m fortunate we have a personal history and a personal relationship that allows us to have honest conversations and trust each other and hopefully agree, disagree, and then align,” Johnson said of his relationship with Wright.

Johnson, 39, and Wright, 43, both joined the Spurs in 2016, with the former coming on board as an assistant coach with the Austin Spurs and the latter as assistant GM in a front office run by R.C. Buford.

Wright gained his current title in 2019, six years before Johnson succeeded Gregg Popovich as head coach following a six-year stint as an assistant on the Hall of Famer’s staff and nearly one full season in 2024-25 as acting head coach after Popovich suffered a stroke.

Their shared journey up the ranks helped them bond, Johnson said.

“He’s someone I’m very fortunate to have as my boss and someone to work with and partner with,” Johnson said of Wright.

Johnson called Wright “leader of our project construction and a lot of things that are at the foundational level of our organization from top to bottom.”

That includes being the architect of the Spurs’ impressive rebuild, which makes him a candidate to win the franchise’s first NBA Executive of the Year Award since Buford, now CEO of Spurs Sports & Entertainment, won it in 2016. Buford also received the honor in 2014 after the last of the Spurs’ five championship campaigns.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama endorsed Wright for the award after Wednesday night’s 123-98 win at Memphis. The Spurs enter Saturday’s game against the Bucks as the No. 2 team in the West with a 55-18 record after six consecutive losing seasons without a playoff appearance.

The voting panel for executive of the year consists of one executive from each of the NBA’s 30 franchises.

“As executive, you should also look at (moves in) past years, and I don’t see anybody over Brian,” Wembanyama said. “As executive, it’s not like just one offseason. It’s for a project, long term, mid to long term, right? He should win it.”

Before Buford, the Spurs had two other executives honored with the award: Angelo Drossos (1978) and Bob Bass (1990)

Now, Wright could receive the same recognition as those franchise greats, which would please Johnson.

“He’s a great man and a great leader and does a great job of galvanizing people in a very understandable way,” the coach said.

San Antonio Spurs center Mason Plumlee, left, shoots against Los Angeles Clippers guard Kobe Sanders during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 16, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Plumlee gets quality minutes

Johnson praised third-string center Mason Plumlee for his play against the Grizzlies.

Filling in for Luke Kornet (knee), Plumlee finished with four rebounds, two points, two assists and a steal in 10 minutes, his most as a Spur after the club signed him to a contract for the remainder of the season Feb. 27 following the expiration of a 10-day deal.

“He was great,” Johnson said. "He was a connector on both ends. He did a great job. His whole career he’s done a good job. He’s very natural at reversal of the ball after the ball finds him. … and it helps the pace in the half court.

“He’s just a pro and a vet. He’s been everything we wanted.”

The status for Kornet and De’Aaron Fox (back) for Saturday is uncertain.

The Spurs, who flew to San Antonio after the Memphis game, worked out at their practice facility before a Friday afternoon flight to Milwaukee.