Mitch Johnson gushes about the importance of having Keldon Johnson serve as a leader

The San Antonio Spurs remain one of the most impressive teams this season. On Thursday, they got their 31st win of the season on the back of a well-rounded night against the Utah Jazz.

Head coach Mitch Johnson is glad to see how the team is performing, especially with Keldon Johnson serving as a leader. The 26-year-old forward has been with the team since 2019, making him the team's longest-tenured active player.

Keldon Johnson's leadership matters for the Spurs

While Johnson is still young at 26, he has become a huge figurehead in San Antonio. Most of the players look up to him as a leader because he has a good demeanor about him, but he has a naturally friendly personality.

That was most evident when he agreed to shave his head alongside Victor Wembanyama. It has been an interesting season for the Spurs, and that is mostly due to Wembanyama's excellence, but Johnson's leadership should not be discounted.

MORE: Victor Wembanyama was glad he and Spurs teammate Keldon Johnson shaved their heads

Coach Johnson has also been with the team for a long time, despite this being his second season at the helm. Throughout the years together, the head coach has seen Keldon develop into a reliable player and leader.

"Keldon is a prime example for every player, but especially young player, kids out there that he's making as many mistakes as everybody," Mitch said about Keldon after beating the Jazz.

"But his energy and his effort and his competitiveness and his multiple efforts to get to the next thing is at such a high level that it allows him to find a rhythm and find himself in the middle of plays."

With that kind of reliability, it makes sense that Keldon continues to be one of the most important players on the Spurs roster. He might not have eye-popping stats, but he has an intrinsic value on the Spurs roster. 

Moving forward, the rest of the Spurs will continue to progress. They will know that Keldon Johnson will be quite a reliable player and presence for the team. 

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