"It was an easy decision and felt super confident in the human being that he is," says Spurs GM Brian Wright of taking interim tag off.

The San Antonio Spurs, on Monday, officially passed the torch from Gregg Popovich to Mitch Johnson. In an emotional press conference featuring appearances from all the usual suspects, with Dejounte Murray, Stephon Castle, and David Robinson in attendance, Popovich, flanked by Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, stepped into his new role as "El Jefe."

Mitch Johnson extended his hand. Gregg Popovich shook it, then pulled him in for a hug instead. And with that, the torch was officially passed. It's a new era in San Antonio. Popovich spoke publicly Monday for the first time since suffering a stroke six months ago,