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.

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.

Gregg Popovich spoke publicly for the first time since his stroke, saying he's "getting better by the day" but that "it's time" for Mitch Johnson to be the Spurs' coach.