San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) talks to the press during media day for the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant learned during his rookie season that Gregg Popovich was not going to sugarcoat his criticism, even after stepping away from his longtime role as the team's head coach.
During the latest episode of The Road Trippin' Podcast, Bryant recalled a workout in which Popovich ripped apart his jab step before directing the young forward to study NBA legends Kobe Bryant and Brandon Roy.
“I remember working out one time and he was like, ‘you have the worst jab step I’ve ever seen in my life.’ And I was like, oh, okay. He was like, ‘you need to immediately go watch Brandon Roy and Kobe and those guys and look how they jab and how aggressive it is. Just little stuff like that.”
Rather than taking offense to Popovich's blunt assessment, Bryant said he appreciated the legendary coach's willingness to be direct throughout his rookie campaign.
“I just appreciate how honest he is. Like, he doesn’t let nothing slide at all. He’s the type of guy to call me after a game… Mitch is talking after the game and you know, your phone is in the locker room and you just hear some buzzing. After I check, I’m like this is Coach Pop and then he hits me right after the game, he texts me after every game so like he’s wild.”
“You have the worst jab step I’ve ever seen.” 💀
Coach Pop does NOT let anything slide & really told him to go study Brandon Roy film immediately! That Popovich honesty hits different. 😂@Rjeff24 @channingfrye @RealAClifton pic.twitter.com/kZc1PGRVjD
— Road Trippin’ Show (@RoadTrippinShow) August 12, 2026
Gregg Popovich's jab step criticism highlights role in Carter Bryant's rookie season
Popovich stepped down as San Antonio's head coach following the 2024-25 season after suffering a stroke and missing the final 77 games of the campaign. He remained with the Spurs as president of basketball operations while Mitch Johnson took over as head coach.
Bryant then spent his rookie season as part of a Spurs team that reached the 2026 NBA Finals before falling to the New York Knicks in five games. Despite no longer coaching from the sideline, Popovich remained involved throughout San Antonio's run.
Bryant's story shows that Popovich's trademark attention to detail and blunt coaching style remain part of the Spurs even in his new role with the organization.