Paul, Spurs determined to compete 'hard' for Popovich amid absence - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — In the wake of coach Gregg Popovich's indefinite absence from the San Antonio Spurs due to a health issue, point guard Chris Paul said the club wants «to play hard and compete for Pop because he set a standard.»

«You guys have seen it here for years. We all have,» Paul said. «So, that's the thing that we want to try to focus on right now is going out there and playing. Because we know if we don't defend, we know we are going to hear about it.»

Popovich, 75, suffered a health issue before Saturday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, and assistant Mitch Johnson — who took over and guided the team to a 113-103 win — will serve as the interim head coach indefinitely, starting Monday against the LA Clippers and continuing Wednesday in Houston, according to sources.

Johnson, 39, gave a statement during his pre-game media availability on Monday, revealing that on Sunday he spoke with Popovich, who did not travel with the Spurs on their current two-game road trip.

«I just want to start off by saying that Pop's impact on our organization from the players that he's coached and the staff that's worked with him in the community of San Antonio,» Johnson said. «It's hard to articulate or put into words, and if I tried it would not do it justice. He's been tremendous for me personally, and right now his health is the No. 1 priority. We support him in that 100% and I talked to him last night. He's in good spirits. He's O.K., and we can't wait to have him back.»

When asked about his message to the team as it moves forward without the longest-tenured head coach in all four of the U.S. professional sports leagues, Johnson said, «regularly scheduled programming.»

«Just stay consistent with the messaging that we have had,»