Spurs' Coach Mitch Johnson Shares Message to Slumping Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Feb 24, 2025 12:44 PM ET

There was a time, not too long ago when fans could believe that Devin Vassell would be a long-term second or third option for the San Antonio Spurs. Between the 2022-24 seasons, he averaged a solid 19.1 points on 37.8 percent shooting from deep and 39.1 percent shooting from the floor.

This season, however, between injuries and slumping play, he has been downright unplayable at times, but it hasn't stopped the coaching staff from putting their full faith in him.

Over the last ten games, he has shot only 25 percent from deep and has had only two really good games where his teammates can trust him to pull up from 3-point range. Some fans are encouraging Mitch Johnson to bench him or limit his minutes, but the acting head coach instead has a different message for his struggling player.

"Devin is a really good player, he's a tremendous offensive player," said Johnson after a five-point outing against the New Orleans Pelicans.

"People go through that in their careers. If I have any message, it's one I've told him before: I hope he shoots the ball. I hope he shoots it more, I hope he shoots with more confidence and more aggressiveness, and I wish he would not care so much, and that's sometimes the problem."

The Spurs' season, without Victor Wembanyama, is all but over. Vassell has plenty of time this season to prove that he can be a reliable long-term piece, but after Wembanyama returns to the lineup next season, the Spurs will have to make some tough choices about the viability of certain players on the roster.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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