Mike Monroe

San Antonio

Contributing writer for @TheAthleticNBA's Spurs coverage; 2014 winner, PBWA Phil Jasner Lifetime Achievement Award; old but rarely in the way.

Articles

Gregg Popovich is still laughing at himself as he steps back from coaching

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Mike Monroe

SAN ANTONIO - It was easy to see Monday morning that Gregg Popovich, despite ongoing effects of a stroke he suffered in November, remains every bit the same "Coach Pop" who won more games than any coach in NBA history - 1,592. The 76-year-old can still laugh at himself. Those who know the San Antonio Spurs' legendary coach and executive best understand how important that is to a man who loves a joke, often at his own expense.
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama confident he 'will be ready' for next season after blood clot

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Mike Monroe

SAN ANTONIO - Addressing the media for the first time since a blood clot in his right shoulder ended his All-Star season in February, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama on Sunday asserted his firm belief that he will be ready to rejoin his teammates by the time training camp begins in September. Wembanyama called the post-All-Star Game discovery of the deep vein thrombosis more blessing than misfortune.
Chris Paul Says Conversations With Family Will Help Decide Playing Future

1 month ago | basketball.realgm.com | Mike Monroe

Chris Paul never thought he'd be playing for the San Antonio Spurs. In some ways, Paul never thought he'd still be playing at all, at this point in his career. "You never know where your career, your journey, is going to take you," said Paul. "I would never have imagined I would be here in San Antonio and have my career end with never coming here.
At 39, Spurs' Chris Paul is 'constantly learning' and may make more NBA history soon

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Mike Monroe

Only six days remain in the 20th NBA season of Chris Paul's career, and it is not concluding quite the way the 39-year-old Point God had hoped. When he signed a one-year, $10 million free-agent contract last summer, Paul relished a chance to compete for one of the greatest coaches in basketball history and alongside one of the most amazing young players to come into the NBA in the 21st century.
Will Stephon Castle be the Spurs' second straight Rookie of the Year? 'I think it's his'

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Mike Monroe

SAN ANTONIO - Exactly one year ago this weekend, Stephon Castle was preparing for his star turn for the Connecticut Huskies in the 2024 men's NCAA Tournament Final Four in Glendale, Ariz. When this year's Final Four begins Saturday night at The Alamodome, in the Alamo City, Castle already will have boarded a flight to Portland with his San Antonio Spurs teammates, utterly indifferent to the goings-on in his new home base.
Food recommendations from Spurs past and present

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Mike Monroe

SAN ANTONIO - After De'Aaron Fox sparked the San Antonio Spurs to a recent win over the Dallas Mavericks, the discussion in the locker room turned from basketball to food. Backup point guard Blake Wesley began describing his affinity for a dish at one of his favorite restaurants. "I like the seasoned chicken with mac and cheese at Down on Grayson," Wesley said.
De'Aaron Fox navigating unfamiliar road with Spurs

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Mike Monroe

SAN ANTONIO - Before driving into the night after helping the San Antonio Spurs claim their 26th victory of the season, a 127-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday at Frost Bank Center, point guard De'Aaron Fox flipped on the GPS device in his car. Since arriving on the Spurs roster via a Feb. 3 trade with the Sacramento Kings, Fox had spent precious little time in the Alamo City. "Oh, for sure," Fox said.
Spurs' rodeo trip hasn't gone as planned, but glimmers of hope remain

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Mike Monroe

SAN ANTONIO - It has been nearly three weeks since the San Antonio Spurs played a game at Frost Bank Center. Longtime Spurs observers know what that means: The Rodeo Road Trip had arrived on the schedule. Indeed, after the Miami Heat defeated the Spurs on a Bam Adebayo buzzer-beater Feb. 1, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo moved into the 18,418-seat venue on San Antonio's east side.
Losing Gregg Popovich, highs and lows, but 'this is not easy'

Jan 21, 2025 | nytimes.com | Mike Monroe

The San Antonio Spurs arrived to the NBA Paris Games with a record of 19-22 for the first half of their 2024-25 season. Compared with the first half of the previous season - when they were 7-34 - that might be cause for celebration until you remember what wags say about looks and deception. A closer examination of the Spurs' performance reveals deception in the premature belief that a team that won only 22 games last season might be headed for this season's Play-In Tournament.
Jeremy Sochan, no longer a point guard, has a green new deal with the Spurs

Dec 19, 2024 | nytimes.com | Mike Monroe

SAN ANTONIO - Let the record show: It was Victor Wembanyama who suggested a couple of weeks ago that Spurs teammate Jeremy Sochan dye his hair green. Sochan's coif has gone through numerous other colors through his two-plus NBA seasons and, what with Christmas on the horizon, green seemed a natural to the 7-foot-4 French star.