Dwyane Wade Praises Popovich’s Culture-Building Behind Spurs’ Finals Run

Dec 23, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich speaks with San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dwyane Wade Praises Popovich’s Culture-Building Behind Spurs’ Finals Run

Originally posted on AirJordanChronicles | By Joy Bassy | Last updated Jun 5, 2026 8:56 AM ET

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Gregg Popovich has been a bona fide icon for the San Antonio Spurs franchise, and Dwyane Wade was the most recent NBA legend to give the former coach his recognition following the Spurs’ entry into the NBA Finals after 12 years.

In the latest episode of Wy Network by Dwyane Wade, the former Miami Heat guard gave Popovich his flowers, saying that he set a standard for talent and character, and his ideologies still carry on in the Spurs’ to-do list every season.

“When it comes to the Spurs bro, what makes them so incredible is the top, [Coach] Pop. You hear the way that Coach Mitch Johnson talks about Pop. You hear the way that Wemby talks about Pop… when it comes to Manu, Tim, Tony, and everything he meant to them… you see the way they still coming back and being a part of the organization.” Wade said.

Dwyane Wade on Coach Pop setting the standard for the Spurs’ Finals run

“When it comes to the Spurs bro, what makes them so incredible is the top, [Coach] Pop. You hear the way that Coach Mitch Johnson talks about Pop. You hear the way that Wemby talks about Pop… when it… pic.twitter.com/1QKLNS5rca
— Wy Network by Dwyane Wade (@wynetwork) June 5, 2026

Popovich was the head coach for the Spurs for almost three decades, and under him, the franchise housed generational talents like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard.

The Spurs won five NBA championships under him, and he very well would have been on the sidelines aiming for the sixth this season had it not been for health issues.

While Mitchell Robinson has things going smoothly for the Spurs, Popovich is the president of basketball operations and regularly provides valuable advice to a fairly young Spurs squad. He was mainly seen discussing with star player Victor Wembanyama during practice sessions.

Wemby has often talked about Popovich’s influence on him this season. With the New York Knicks taking a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals, the Frenchman revealed the conversation he had with Popovich after the loss.

Victor Wembanyama Receives Clear Message from Gregg Popovich Ahead of Game 2

Despite a fairly strong individual box score, Wembanyama would be the first one to admit that he did not have a great Game 1 against the Knicks.

The 22-year-old scored 26 points on just 6-of-21 shooting, along with 12-of-13 free throw attempts. This is not how a usual Wembanyama stat line looks, especially his efficiency.

Despite being away from the coaching role, Popovich is still an elite mentor, as Wemby is taking any and all advice from Popovich to heart ahead of Game 2.

“I haven’t talked to him yet, but yes, he has texted me. In the big lines, I’ve been bad and that I’m better than this,” Wembanyama said about the message he received from Popovich.

Popovich is known to be blunt, but this is exactly what Wembanyama and the Spurs need to level the series against the Knicks at home.

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This article first appeared on AirJordanChronicles and was syndicated with permission.

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