STEPPING ASIDE San Antonio Spurs
Gregg Popovich spoke at length for the first time since his recent medical emergency ... saying he's getting better every day, but not fast enough to continue leading the San Antonio Spurs.
The five-time NBA Finals-winning coach took the podium before Mitch Johnson was introduced as his official replacement on Monday ... and had his two longtime players, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, by his side.
76-year-old Pop -- who suffered a mild stroke in November and another health scare at a local restaurant last month -- spent the majority of his time thanking those who assisted him over his nearly 30-year tenure on the bench.