In the high-pressure environment of the NBA postseason, the most valuable lessons are often learned from the sidelines. As the San Antonio Spurs navigate a challenging Western Conference semifinals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a small group of developmental players is discovering that their inability to step onto the court during the playoffs is not a barrier to growth, but a unique educational opportunity.
For two-way contract players like center Emanuel Miller, forward Harrison Ingram, and guard David Jones Garcia, the current playoff run serves as an immersive masterclass in professional basketball. While NBA regulations prevent two-way players from appearing in postseason games unless they are converted to standard contracts, the league allows them to practice and travel with the team. This access provides a rare vantage point to observe the strategic adjustments and mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level of the sport.
The experience is further enriched by the continued presence of Gregg Popovich. Although he retired from his role as head coach in May 2025 as the league’s all-time winningest coach, Popovich remains a central figure in the organization. Now serving as the president of basketball operations, the 77-year-old continues to mentor the team’s youngest talents, maintaining a hands-on approach to player development despite having suffered a stroke in November 2024.
The Developmental Bridge: Understanding Two-Way Contracts
The role of the two-way player is designed to bridge the gap between the NBA G League and the NBA. These athletes split their time between the parent club and its affiliate—in this case, the Spurs’ affiliate in Austin—allowing them to refine their skills in a competitive environment while remaining integrated into the main team’s culture. According to official NBA guidelines, these contracts are essential for roster flexibility and the cultivation of raw talent.
During the playoffs, the “educational” aspect of these contracts becomes paramount. Because they cannot play, players like Miller, Ingram, and Garcia are essentially “students of the game.” They attend shootarounds, participate in tactical walkthroughs, and travel to opposing arenas, such as the Target Center in Minneapolis, to witness the logistics and psychological demands of a road playoff series.
For Emanuel Miller, a 25-year-old forward and native of Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto, this period is less about the box score and more about the philosophy of winning. Miller has highlighted the importance of his ongoing dialogue with Popovich, noting that the interactions are focused on the fundamental habits of a professional.
“Speaking with Pop, it’s been very wisdom,” Miller said. “He’s one of the best coaches to ever do it. For him to still be in the building, showing up and having these conversations with me (is special). He’s just been sharing with me, telling me and teaching me in different ways how to be better and how to win the day.”
Mentorship Beyond the Bench
The transition of Gregg Popovich from the sidelines to the front office has not dimmed his influence on the court. His legacy as a coach—defined by five NBA championships and a relentless pursuit of efficiency and discipline—now informs his role as president of basketball operations. For the developmental players, having access to a mind that has seen every possible scenario in professional basketball is an invaluable asset.
This mentorship extends beyond the legendary former coach. The developmental players are also deeply embedded in the team’s current coaching structure. Miller has spent significant time during the Timberwolves series collaborating with assistant coach Sean Sweeney, analyzing game film and preparation strategies immediately following team shootarounds.
The value of this “shadowing” process is evident in the team’s recent momentum. The Spurs secured a dominant 133-95 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the series on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Frost Bank Center. While the two-way players did not contribute to the score, the victory serves as a practical case study in the execution of the game plan they have been studying in practice.
Key Components of the Developmental Experience
- Tactical Observation: Analyzing how rotations and defensive schemes are adjusted in real-time against a top-tier opponent like Minnesota.
- Psychological Preparation: Observing the emotional regulation and focus required to maintain performance during a high-stakes series.
- Direct Mentorship: Engaging in one-on-one conversations with front-office leadership and coaching staff to understand the “why” behind strategic decisions.
- Professional Integration: Learning the rigors of NBA travel and the discipline of a postseason schedule.
The Long-Term Impact of Postseason Exposure
For players like Harrison Ingram and David Jones Garcia, the objective is clear: convert the lessons of the 2026 playoffs into a permanent spot on an NBA roster. The “Spurs Way”—a culture long associated with selfless play and rigorous fundamentalism—is being passed down to this new generation through these informal interactions.
The ability to “win the day,” a concept Miller emphasized, refers to the incremental progress required to reach elite status. In the NBA, where the margin between a bench player and a starter is often razor-thin, the mental framework provided by a figure like Popovich can be the deciding factor in a player’s career trajectory.
The San Antonio Spurs have a storied history of developing international and overlooked talent, a trend that continues with the inclusion of players from diverse backgrounds like Miller. By integrating two-way players into the playoff experience, the organization ensures that its developmental pipeline is not just about physical skill, but about basketball intelligence.
As the series against the Timberwolves continues, the focus for the Spurs’ developmental core remains on absorption. Every practice, every flight, and every conversation with the president of basketball operations is a building block for their future careers. While they may not be the ones taking the final shot of the game, they are absorbing the blueprint of how those games are won.
The next critical checkpoint for the series will be the upcoming matchups as San Antonio looks to advance further in the Western Conference semifinals. Official updates on roster movements and game schedules can be found via the San Antonio Spurs official team page.
Do you think the NBA should allow two-way players to play limited minutes in the playoffs to aid their development, or is the “observational” approach more beneficial? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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