Keldon Johnson Rumors

"I feel like even up to the last buzzer, we believed we were going to win or that we were supposed to win," said NBA Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson. "We're all human. It hurts. We want to win. We're so close, but so far. We're going to continue what we do, bring our brand of basketball and correct the things we can correct going forward. I believe, one through 15, whoever steps on the court, we're going out there to get the job done."

ESPN

Tom Petrini: Mitch on Keldon in Game 3: "I thought he played with really good energy. I thought he tried to rebound himself into the game and play good team defense, and that's what we need from him. We know he can score the basketball, and that will come with just minutes and opportunity, but his ability to rebound for us on both ends and be a strong team defender is what we need him to do."

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Speaking to reporters at the Frost Bank Center on Thursday, Johnson made it clear he's ready to turn the page on his latest subpar outing in the first postseason of his seven-year career. "When you get in a series like this, once the game is over, you process it that night and then we come back and we break it down today," he said. "And then you got to let it go. You can't let it linger on to other games. You can't get too high, you can't get too low. You got to try and stay as even-keeled as possible. "I'll correct those mistakes and be back at it tomorrow."

San Antonio Express-News

NBA Base: Jeremy Lin heavily criticized Mitch Johnson and the Spurs’ fourth-quarter offense in Game 1, questioning the heavy reliance on Wemby isolations and the team's rotation choices: "The focus for sure is the second half where they were minus-17, but specifically even in the fourth quarter, I didn't love the late-game offensive game plan. It was too much Wemby ISO. It just seemed like everything was difficult, everything was hard, everything was contested. Can we get him in more spontaneous, impulsive actions? Can we get him in some pin-downs? Can he set more screens? Can guards come set screens for him? It felt like every time down the floor they were giving him the ball, and KAT was doing a great job of playing defense, and Wemby was tired. So how are they able to create different actions so that the Knicks aren't seeing the same thing every single time? Another piece that's really important is Keldon Johnson, who played only eight minutes. Sixth Man of the Year, a lot of minutes went to Harrison Barnes. I'm not sure what's happening there, but there is going to be a different level of production that needs to be had from other players stepping in. Dylan Harper obviously had an amazing game, but we need the Keldon Johnsons and obviously De'Aaron Fox to be able to step up. I do think there's a lot to be said for in terms of how big that moment was for the Spurs."

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And they were ready to do it together. From underwater workouts to breaking bread, they found all sorts of things to do as a group before the season ever started. It took a while for the product on the court to truly click, but the vibes were locked in long before that. “The group loves each other. It’s genuine. We’re a tight-knit group,” Keldon Johnson said. “I feel like when you see one of us, you see all of us. That’s how it’s been from the start. I don’t know why, I don’t know how, but it’s been just like it clicked from day one.”

New York Times

Spurs forward Keldon Johnson also noted he respects how the Spurs coach holds players accountable no matter the score or who they are. For example, Mitch Johnson told the media after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals that Wembanyama needs to shoot more after a lackluster performance. Also, Johnson nearly brought rookie forward Carter Bryant to tears in Game 4 after he strongly reprimanded him for a bad turnover. “We do things a little bit different than [last season],” Keldon Johnson said. “But I feel like Mitch has always enforced kind of what he’s wanted from us and what he wanted to see from us. So, I don’t think things have changed in that manner. I think we do things [at] a lot more technical, a lot more intense level. …

Andscape

Tom Orsborn: Spurs had a moment of silence for Brandon Clarke and Jason Collins. Keldon Johnson came into the NBA at the same time as Clarke. "He seemed like an amazing person and I always heard great things about him," Keldon told me. "It sucks. Sending condolences to his family."

bsky.app

Tom Orsborn: Keldon Johnson said he'd love to nap the rest of the day after the late tip and then a film session today, but he's got to take care of someone important: "Mother's Day tomorrow. I'll probably go see my mom, do something with her today because we'll probably be tied up tomorrow."

bsky.app

Keldon Johnson has come off the bench in 201 of his past 202 regular-season games, including 159 over the past two seasons. "I feel like it's just a testament to the hard work, the dedication that I've had to myself, to doing what I love to do," Johnson told ESPN. "It hasn't always been easy. But it never deterred me, never steered me away. I just found a way to be the best Keldon Johnson each and every day. Being Sixth Man of the Year is just a testament to that, to my supporting cast, to the Spurs and how much they've trusted and believed in me."

ESPN

Tom Osborn: Mitch said he's not concerned at all about Keldon Johnson's lack of offensive production: "He's missed some shots, I think, around the rim that he usually makes. They're good at rim protection, so there's probably a little bit that goes into that on both ends."

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Carolina Teague: NBA’s 6th Man of the Year Keldon Johnson on his teammates surprising him today wearing Cowboy hats to congratulate his award: “I’m being genuine when I say this is the best moment of my life..” @spurfectblog #PorVida

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Matt Guzman: Keldon Johnson spoke to media after winning Sixth Man of the Year — he says this year has been the toughest of his life. He told us that his grandfather is currently battling cancer, and it’s been tough to balance that, and his parents not being around as often, with the season. On what this honor means: “It’s been tough. But to persevere and continue … it’s a testament to the Spurs. When I talk about my tough year, I feel like I have so, so much family here. “Knowing what I have going on, I feel like I was able to come here and my teammates picked me up … it’s just one big family.” #PorVida

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Matt Guzman: Keldon Johnson on the impact Gregg Popovich's has had on him: "Pop believed in me. He believed in me when I was young, and when I didn't necessarily believe in myself ... "He's the most loving, genuine, caring individual I've ever come across. I feel like he's affected my career in amazing ways. In amounts I could never put into words." #PorVida

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NBA on ESPN: "At first it was tough. I had to really ruin my ego and put the team first. After that the sky was the limit." — Keldon Johnson what it took to the win Sixth Man of the Year award.

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