The Gregg Popovich coaching tree is still standing strong

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty ImagesThe Gregg Popovich coaching tree has expanded over the NBA for decades. It’s not hard to understand why. When any coach has the level of success Pop experienced, his disciples will be coveted by others. It’s the same reason why some Phil Jackson acolytes got to lead teams in the past.

Normally when the success stops, however, the demand for the assistant coaches of the living legends dwindles. Surprisingly this hasn’t happened with people associated with Pop yet. Not only have former assistants been hired recently but there appears to be serious interest in Mitch Johnson now from the Raptors.

Johnson, who is just 36 years old and has been an…