Mike Finger

1 month ago | expressnews.com | Mike Finger

It's the summer of 2028, and the downtown revitalization plan known as Project Marvel is coming into real-life view. A new arena is rising at the foot of the Tower of the Americas. Grass is beginning to take root on a land bridge over the adjacent freeway. And the Spurs, having made their big move three years earlier, sit at an uncomfortable crossroads. They're still led by two of the most freakishly talented basketball players in the world, who so far have thrived together.

1 month ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Mike Finger

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1 month ago | expressnews.com | Mike Finger

They tried to talk Gregg Popovich out of it. He'd been busting his tail at physical therapy, but he just wasn't ready. Too many things could have gone wrong. What if he'd stumbled walking into the room? What if his legs had given out right there at the podium? What if, after going six months without speaking in public, he couldn't find his words? All things considered, there would have been no shame in sitting this one out. Baloney.

1 month ago | expressnews.com | Mike Finger

Mitch Johnson does not need to become an icon. He does not need to wind up on T-shirts, or in the Hall of Fame. He does not need to implore his country to be better, or beg his players to give him "some nasty." He does not need to offer life lessons with every bottle of wine, or grow a coaching tree that spreads to every corner of the NBA. Johnson cannot be Gregg Popovich. But he can preserve as much of what Popovich built as anyone can.

1 month ago | expressnews.com | Mike Finger

Even after the stroke, he was everywhere. During every practice dribble, every timeout huddle and every dinner conversation, the Spurs conducted themselves like Gregg Popovich was watching, mainly because no one could be sure he wasn't. When outsiders would speculate about the venerable coach's health and wonder how on earth he could return, those who knew him best would shake their heads, convinced they were asking the wrong question.