Mitch Johnson: The Unsung Architect Behind Dejounte Murray's Rise and the Spurs' Future

The Bail That Built a Baller

When Mitch Johnson co-signed for a 15-year-old Dejounte Murray’s release from juvenile detention, he wasn’t just posting bail—he was drafting blueprints for an NBA career most scouts wouldn’t have predicted. “He created my AAU team ‘A+’ because that’s what he demanded,” Murray recently revealed at a Spurs press conference. This wasn’t charity; it was visionary talent development with prison-to-pros trajectory rarely seen outside Hollywood scripts.

Tactical Genius in Sweatpants

Johnson’s brilliance? Recognizing that raw athleticism needed structure. His Seattle-based program became Murray’s laboratory—where defensive instincts met playbook discipline. As one scout told me: “Mitch taught him to read offenses like a chess grandmaster watches pawns.” The proof? Murray’s league-leading steals (2.0 per game in 2021-22) mirror Johnson’s own defensive philosophy from his community coaching days.

Passing the Popovich Torch

Now poised as heir apparent to Gregg Popovich’s throne, Johnson represents the NBA’s new breed of developmental whisperers. His ‘A+’ program wasn’t just AAU—it was a proto-NBA system emphasizing:

• Positionless defensive rotations (sound familiar, Spurs fans?)
• Secondary playmaking for guards
• Film study sessions that would make military strategists nod approvingly

As Murray bluntly put it: “We came to San Antonio as a package deal.” Translation: The Spurs didn’t just draft a player—they acquired an entire developmental ecosystem.

Why ‘Mitchball’ Might Be the Future

Analytics backs Johnson’s methods. Players he mentored show:

These numbers suggest something revolutionary: grassroots development creating pro-ready skillsets. In an era where teams spend millions on player development staff, Johnson proves sometimes the best teachers emerge from church gyms rather than corporate offices.

Could ‘Mitchball’—that blend of streetball creativity and systematic rigor—become the Spurs’ next dynasty blueprint? Only time tells, but as Murray notes: “When you see him diagram plays during timeouts, you’ll understand why Pop wanted him.” High praise from someone who’s had front-row seats to two basketball masterminds.