Seahawks Visit With Spurs, Talk Victor Wembanyama in 'Hard Knocks' Preview

It's common practice in professional sports for coaches to talk shop in an attempt to learn from each other, even if they don't coach the same sport. That's part of the reason why Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald hosted San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson and general manager Brian Wright.

Johnson is from Seattle, so the connection isn't all that random. The two coaches have a lot in common as young upstart leaders who are trying to build off of their early success in their careers. In a preview for the second episode of "Hard Knocks," Macdonald and Johnson are seen talking about their respective teams and how they can find some commonality.

Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald and Spurs coach Mitch Johnson share leadership tips and talk Victor Wembanyama on Hard Knocks tonight 9pm ET on @hbomax. pic.twitter.com/yAyG8u2PZ9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 11, 2026

"The challenge I had was: How do you deliver the same message to the majority of the guys? You're also trying to make them think that we're all new, and you're trying to get them to understand that this is who we are. It's really important that they hear it," Macdonald said.

"And next one is our style of play, which is a good time because we're kind of in the meat of camp ... I think of it in terms of like, we're in the install phase of training camp, so we're installing our systems, I'm installing our culture."

Seahawks, San Antonio Spurs Forging Relationship on "Hard Knocks"

Macdonald, Johnson and Wright then began sharing stories about how San Antonio scouted French phenom and 2023 No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama, who led his team to the NBA Finals in just his third professional season.

"Our CEO saw him. He was in the gym, and it just happened to be in the gym. I wasn't planning to see him. He was 16, or just about to turn 16, and came back after his trip. I think he is the greatest player I've ever seen in my life," Wright said.

"Literally, 12 months later, we put the plan in motion to turn the team over and have the chance to draft him in a couple years."

Johnson added how Wembanyama has always put the team in front of himself, which is something Macdonald has stressed with the Seahawks. Wembanyama has also stressed about wanting to be the greatest basketball player ever, which is another way the two teams can align.

Macdonald has spoken about putting the team ahead of oneself throughout the entirety of his tenure with the Seahawks, but especially in this year's training camp. Most of the players in the locker room saw firsthand how that philosophy led them to a Super Bowl and how it could lead them to another one this year.

While the Seahawks and Spurs have different challenges in their way of reaching their goals, it's clear that the two teams have relatively similar thought processes. Considering the fact that they have been some of the most successful teams in their respective sport, it seems like their way of thinking is the way moving forward.

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