Stephon Castle spent the season guarding top scorers, chasing loose balls, and performing the kind of work that rarely appears in highlight reels. His relentless effort helped propel the San Antonio Spurs deep into the playoffs. Yet, when the NBA announced its All-Defensive Teams, Castle's name was conspicuously absent. Inside the Spurs organization, the omission clearly did not sit well.
Mitch Johnson Breaks Silence on Stephon Castle's All-Defensive Team Snub
Hours before Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson made his feelings known. Johnson did not hedge or soften his opinion. He believes Castle already performs at an elite defensive level and expects the young guard to use the snub as fuel moving forward.
Johnson's confidence in Castle stems from watching him handle difficult assignments all season while continuing to grow offensively. The 21-year-old guard followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign with another major leap, averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting efficiently from the floor.
His postseason production has been equally vital. Entering Game 5 against Oklahoma City, Castle averaged 17.3 points and 8.0 assists in the series while often taking on demanding defensive responsibilities against one of the NBA's most explosive offenses. Johnson believes that work deserved league-wide recognition.
“Not just this series but what he's done all year and all playoffs, he's an all-NBA defender, and I think he'll be pretty motivated to continue to prove it until he gets on that team next year,” said Johnson about Castle.
The comment reflected more than simple coach-speak. Throughout the season, Johnson built a reputation for demanding discipline and defensive accountability from one of the league's youngest rosters. That mindset became central to San Antonio's surprising rise.
Spurs Respond After Game 3 Loss
After a rough Game 3 loss in the conference finals, the Spurs responded with one of their sharpest performances of the postseason in Game 4. Defensive rotations tightened, the ball moved cleaner offensively, and Victor Wembanyama controlled the pace of the game. Even Magic Johnson praised Johnson's adjustments afterward.
“I also have to show some love and credit to Spurs’ Head Coach Mitch Johnson, who had a great game plan and made major adjustments from Game 3 to Game 4. The Series is now tied 2-2 and I can’t wait for Game 5 on Tuesday!”
Mitch Johnson Finished Third in Coach of the Year Voting
Johnson's impact this season extended far beyond one playoff series. In his first full year leading the Spurs after replacing Gregg Popovich, the 39-year-old guided San Antonio to 62 regular-season wins and the second-best record in the NBA.
The NBA's Coach of the Year voting reflected that respect. Johnson finished third behind Joe Mazzulla and J.B. Bickerstaff, collecting nine first-place votes after helping transform the Spurs into one of the league's toughest defensive teams.
“Sometimes you have to adjust or react to something that they're doing, especially at a high rate, if it's going well for them,” Johnson said. “Obviously this team is the defending champs, and Mark [Daigneault]'s a hell of a coach, so there's quite a bit that goes into it.”
The steady approach has carried through the Spurs locker room all season. Young players are developing fast, and the defense keeps improving. The team is certainly motivated to eliminate the Thunder to reach the NBA final.
Stay updated with the upcoming IPL match between RCB vs GT and the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL schedule and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
About the Author: Lachit Roy is a sports writer at The Times of India, where he covers the NBA, WWE, and other major international sporting events. With over five years of experience across different media houses, he has developed expertise in reporting, analysis, and storytelling. His sharp insights are complemented by a clear and engaging writing style. He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Tezpur University. Beyond sports, Lachit is passionate about movies and enjoys gardening in his free time.
