While no one expected Popovich to announce his retirement plans early and accept a year-long retirement tour, his departure from the sidelines was far more abrupt than he or anyone would've intended.

The team president had a smile on his face after officially announcing he stepped down as head coach to hand over the reins to Mitch Johnson. The media room was filled, and Popovich, surrounded by his former players and Hall of Famers, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, delivered one of his best speeches in a while.

Gregg Popovich spoke publicly Monday for the first time since suffering a stroke six months ago, saying at the news conference where the San Antonio Spurs formally introduced Mitch Johnson as his repl