Gregg Popovich keeps contact with Spurs while 'attacking' rehab - ESPN

With the San Antonio Spurs in Paris for a pair of games against the Indiana Pacers this week, the absence of coach Gregg Popovich looms over what would otherwise be a showcase for the NBA and second-year French star Victor Wembanyama.

But Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said the Hall of Fame coach continues to get better and has been aggressive in his recovery from a November stroke.

«All I can share is he's attacking his rehab in a way that… you know Pop, you've observed him for years,» Buford, one of the people closest to Popovich, said Wednesday. «The same resilience that he's shown over the course of our career as a coach, he's approaching his return in his rehab in an incredibly unique way. The relationships that he had with our former players and the care that they're sharing with him is amazing. And his improvement continues.»

Nobody knows when or if Popovich will be back on the Spurs' sideline, and Buford added that no timeline is in place.

«I don't know that we have any way to judge the clock,» Buford said. «Predicting what's to come is just a function of where Pop's rehab goes.»

Popovich's presence is still felt, however, with behind-the-scenes communication with players and staff.

«I'm not even sure if this is public, but he calls,» said guard Chris Paul, who joined the Spurs in large part because of his respect for Popovich… «He calls after games and I talk to him, and he tells me what he sees, and I appreciate that more than anything because he doesn't have to do that. And he does.»

Acting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said: «We are in contact constantly. He is watching games, still as opinionated as he's ever been, and competitive, and what you would think — giving praise and cussing me out, all at the same time.»

Johnso