Tag: San Antonio Spurs

HOUSTON — Former Spurs great David Robinson visited the Houston Texans’ morning practice. He seemed to be doing more interviews than the players.

“My son’s a football player (Corey Robinson, at San Antonio Christian), so I’m trying to get him some exposure to excellence, get him to see what it takes to be at this level,” Robinson said. “This was certainly an eye-opening day for him, watching how these receivers and these d-backs go at it and how the game is played so tight.

“It was great. Obviously, they had a great year last year, and they just needed to get over the hump a little bit. It’s a great group of guys. Physically, they look good. I think they’ll be just as strong as they were last year.”

After practice, players took pictures with Robinson.

“It makes me feel like the old guy,” he said. “It’s phenomenal.They were very respectful and great guys, and to see that they think highly of me is a wonderful blessing,” he said.

Robinson has become a Texans fan.

“I’m trying to figure out what team I want to root for because my wife is from Chicago, so she’s a Bears fan,” Robinson said. “Every year I’ve been picking different teams, but this year I’m going to be a Texans (fan).

“I have a (David) Carr jersey at home from a couple years ago, but now I’m going to have to get another jersey and be a Texans fan.”

— John McClain, Houston Chronicle

Former Spurs center David Robinson, center, watches practice during Houston Texans training camp at the Methodist Training Center Sunday, July 29, 2012, in Houston. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

Former Spurs center David Robinson, left, and Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) share a laugh after taking a photo together at the end of practice during Texans training camp at the Methodist Training Center Sunday, July 29, 2012, in Houston. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

LAS VEGAS — Kawhi Leonard has spent so much time in Sin City this month, he might as well be David Copperfield.

First, it  was a week with the U.S. Select team, scrimmaging against the All-Stars and future Hall of Famers who will make up the country’s Olympic squad in London.

This week, he’s returned  to Vegas with a different role and a different goal. He’s is the undisputed go-to guy of the Spurs’ summer league squad, which kicked off a five-game slate with an 82-76 victory over Atlanta Sunday night with Leonard as the ringleader.

Leonard had 23 points in the win, but it was the way he got them that was most notable. Handling the ball in pick-and-rolls, driving to the basket, creating for himself and occasionally for others, Leonard scored 13 of his points in the fourth quarter to help his team seal up the victory.

For a while, the second-year small forward felt like he was back at San Diego State.

“I’m getting a little feel back for what I know,” Leonard said.

During an All-Rookie campaign, Leonard got most of his points on 3-pointers and cleaning up put-backs around the rim. He got none of them that way in Sunday’s opener.

Spurs coaches arrived here with the idea of pushing Leonard past his comfort zone, putting the ball in his hands often and forcing him to create off pick and rolls. Summer league coach Jacque Vaughn called Leonard’s number often down the stretch, and occasionally ran post-up plays and pin downs for him as well.

“”It’s a big difference,” Leonard said. “I was standing up, spotting up (in the regular season). I’m learning to shoot off the dribble, coming off ball screens. I’m trying to get my ball handling better. Also, I’ve got to learn how to pass. I’ve been working on all that.”

The fourth quarter was a sight to behold. At one point, Leonard picked his way for seven straight points. The jewel was a stunning cross-over that left Atlanta’s Frank Hassell flailing and the Cox Pavilion crowd ooing. Leonard finished that drive with a bucket and a foul.

“This is the time to test drive a little bit, which is fun,” Vaughn said. “Get him out there and put him in position he normally doesn’t get a chance to be in. Pick and roll, posting up a little bit. See if we can see a little growth.”

Leonard passed the test Sunday, albeit against lesser competition than he will see once his second NBA season opens in October. But it was a start.

Other thoughts and impressions from Game 1:

* Cory Joseph shook off a shaky start to turn in a solid game as the Spurs’ starting point guard. He finished with 18 points — including 14 in the first half when the Spurs’ offense ran through him — to go with four assists and five rebounds. After committing two turnovers on the Spurs’ first three possessions, Joseph had none the rest of the way. “Cory was real aggressive to start out with,” shooting guard James Anderson said. “Probably the most aggressive I’ve seen him. He attacked.”

* Anderson signed up to play with the Spurs summer leaguers even though the team declined to pick up his contract option for next season. He is an unrestricted free agent, auditioning for all the other teams in attendance.

“I just came out here to show what I can do,” said Anderson, the 20th overall pick out of Oklahoma State in 2010. “It doesn’t matter which team you’re on. All the coaches are here. They’ll see what you can do on both ends.”

Anderson would like to return to the Spurs — “Who wouldn’t?”, he said — but understands that with 14 players already under contract for next season, the numbers are working against him.

* Marcus Denmon, the Spurs’ only draft pick this year (taken 59th overall), logged 11 minutes off the bench. Playing mostly shooting guard, with a little point mixed in, the Missouri alum scored three points and had two assists. He showed a nice ability to create on a drive in the first half, when he found Tyler Wilkerson for a layup just before the shot-clock horn blared.

* Though the Spurs might still be looking to add a big man after missing out on Slovenian shooter Erazem Lorbek, Alexis Ajinca took a DNP against the Hawks. With three years of NBA service time, the 7-foot-2 Ajinca is by that measure the most experienced of the Spurs’ summer leaguers. It would not be surprising to see him get some extended run before the week over.

Against the Hawks, the Spurs’ best big man was Eric Dawson, the former Sam Houston High grad who enjoyed a sip of coffee with the Spurs last season. He finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds in 30 minutes.

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Jacque Vaughn

When Jacque Vaughn came looking for a job post-playing career in 2010, the Spurs did not have an opening for an assistant coach. So Gregg Popovich created one. After two years as a Spurs assistant and 12 years in the NBA, here’s a look back at Jacque Vaughn’s career with the Spurs.

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn tries to drive toward the basket past Asvel Lyon-Villeurbanne’s Antoine Eito during the NBA Europe Live Tour match, played in Villeurbanne, central France, on Oct. 5, 2006. (Patrick Gardin / Associated Press)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives against the Orlando Magic’s Travis Diener at the ATT Center on Oct. 14, 2006. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives against the Chicago Bulls during a preseason game at the ATT Center on Oct. 19, 2006. (Bill Baptist / NBAE/Getty Images)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn tries to free himself from the defense of Anthony Johnson on Nov. 24, 2006 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn shoots against the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 20, 2006 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn shoots a lay up against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets’ Jannero Pargo on Dec. 23, 2006 in Oklahoma City. The Hornets’ home court was in Oklahoma City that season because of Hurricane Katrina. (Layne Murdoch / NBAE/Getty Images)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn is yanked away from a layup by the Milwaukee Bucks’ Charlie Villanueva at the ATT Center on Dec. 26, 2006. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughan drives past the Utah Jazz’s Gordan Giricek at the ATT Center on Dec. 28, 2006. (Delcia Lopez / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives around the Atlanta Hawks’ Marvin Williams on Dec. 31, 2006 at the ATT Center. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn dribbles up court against the Atlanta Hawks on Dec. 31, 2006 at the ATT Center. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn leads an offensive play against the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 9, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives beneath the Washington Wizards’ Andray Blatche in Washington on Feb. 7, 2007. (Haraz N. Ghanbari / Associated Press)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn fights to control the ball as he is pressured by the Denver Nuggets’ Linas Kleiza on Feb. 20, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

The Denver Nuggets’ Allen Iverson grimaces after colliding with Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn while the both scrambled for a loose ball on Feb. 20, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives around the Seattle SuperSonics’ defense on Feb. 24, 2007 at the ATT Center. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn races for the ball against the Toronto Raptors’ Jose Calderon at the ATT Center on on Feb. 26, 2007. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Brent Barry follows as teammate Jacque Vaughn moves the ball down court against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 5, 2007 in Los Angeles. (Gabriel Bouys / AFP/Getty Images)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn and the Indiana Pacers’ Jermaine O’Neal chase a loose ball on March 21, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn heads up court against the Detroit Pistons on March 23, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn defends the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets’ Jannero Pargo on March 28, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn is defended by a Utah Jazz player at the ATT Center on March 30, 2007. (Delcia Lopez / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn gets a flying layup against the Seattle SuperSonics’ Earl Watson at the ATT Center on April 3, 2007. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn plays tight defense on a jump shot by the Seattle SuperSonics’ Earl Watson at the ATT Center on April 3, 2007. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn gets the ball out of the lane after driving into the Seattle SuperSonics’ big men at the ATT Center on April 3, 2007. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn pauses during a free throw on April 18, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn runs into the Denver Nuggets’ Steve Blake while attempting to steal the ball during Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs at the ATT Center on April 22, 2007. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson (3) drives past Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn (11) during Game 4 of the Western Conference in Denver, April 30, 2007. (Jack Dempsey / Associated Press)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn defends against Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson during Game 4 of the Western Conference in Denver, April 30, 2007. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn defends against Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson during Game 4 of the Western Conference in Denver, April 30, 2007. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives to the hoop and through the Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash during Game 1 of the second round of the Western Conference playoffs in Phoenix on May 6, 2007. Vaughn was called for a foul on the drive. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn grabs for control of the ball against the Phoenix Suns’ Amar’e Stoudemire as Tim Duncan defends during Game 4 of the second round of the Western Conference playoffs at the ATT Center on May 14, 2007. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn and coach Gregg Popovich confer during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Utah Jazz at the ATT Center on May 22, 2007. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn is knocked flat by Utah Jazz guard Derek Fisher, who was called for the foul during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in Salt Lake City on May 28, 2007. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn rubs his chin after taking a shot from Utah Jazz guard Derek Fisher during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in Salt Lake City on May 28, 2007. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn pulls away from Utah Jazz guard Dee Brown and forward Paul Millsap during Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals at the ATT Center on May 30, 2007. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn defends Cleveland Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson during Game 1 of the NBA Finals at the ATT Center on June 7, 2007. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao runs into the double team of Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn and forward Fabricio Oberto during Game 1 of the NBA Finals at the ATT Center on June 7, 2007. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn dives for the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson during Game 2 of the NBA Finals at the ATT Center on June 10, 2007. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili controls a loose ball as guard Jacque Vaughn looks on during Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Cleveland on June 12, 2007. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn brings the ball up court during Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Cleveland on June 14, 2007. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn #11 poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day at the Spurs Practice Facility on Oct. 1, 2007 in San Antonio. (D. Clarke Evans / NBAE/Getty Images)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn (left) center Francisco Elson fight the Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Childress for the ball on Nov. 20, 2007 in Atlanta. (John Amis / Associated Press)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn throws from the floor past the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Jackson as teammate Baron Davis watcheson Dec. 11, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. (Ben Margot / Associated Press)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn draws a foul as he drives around the Los Angeles Lakers’ Derek Fisher in Los Angeles on Dec. 13, 2007. (Danny Moloshok / Reuters)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn shoots around the Denver Nuggets’ Marcus Camby on Dec. 15, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn looks for room around the Denver Nuggets’ Linas Kleiza on Dec. 15, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn looks for room around the Los Angeles Clippers’ Dan Dickau on Dec. 22, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

The Chicago Bulls’ Adrian Griffin can’t reach a rebound between the Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Jacque Vaughn on Dec. 26, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

The Spurs’ Jacque Vaughn guards the Toronto Raptors’ Juan Dixon on Dec. 28, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn shoots over the Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Miller on Dec. 30, 2007 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives for a shot as Denver Nuggets forward Marcus Camby comes in to cover in Denver on Jan. 3, 2008. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn looks at the ball while defending the New York Knicks’ Jamal Crawford at the ATT Center on Jan. 4, 2008. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Robert Horry and Jacque Vaughn react to a call as they play the Detroit Pistons at the ATT Center on Jan. 10, 2008. (Delcia Lopez / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn opts to pass back to the trailer on a fast break after encountering Minnesota Timberwolves center Marko Jaric in the lane at the ATT Center on Jan. 12, 2008. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn strains to make a steal against the Timberwolves’ Marko Jaric at the ATT Center on Jan. 12, 2008. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn gets slapped on the wrist by the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Sebastian Telfair at the ATT Center on Jan. 12, 2008. No foul was called on the play. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

New Orleans Hornets forward David West hits a jumper despite tough pressure from the Spurs’ Jackie Vaughn at the ATT Center on Jan. 26, 2008. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn swings into the lane against the New Orlenas Hornets’ David West and Chris Paul at the ATT Center on Jan. 26, 2008. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Jacque Vaughn passes to a teammate between the Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash and Brian Skinner in Phoenix on Jan. 31, 2008. The Spurs’ Tim Duncan is in the background. (Jeff Topping / Reuters)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives between the Boston Celtics’ Glen Davis and Brian Scalabrine on Feb. 10, 2008, in Boston. (Michael Dwyer / Associated Press)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn is fouled by the Charlotte Bobcats’ Emeka Okafor on Feb. 19, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives to the basket around the Boston Celtics’ P.J. Brown on March 17, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn pushes into the Sacramento Kings’ Quincy Douby on March 21, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Gloria Ferniz / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

The Sacramento Kings’ Kevin Martin reaches in and knocks Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn off his feet on March 21, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Gloria Ferniz / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn reacts to a call against the Sacramento Kings on March 21, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Gloria Ferniz / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn is slow to get up after being knocked to the floor by the Sacramento Kings on March 21, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Gloria Ferniz / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn looks for a call against the Sacramento Kings on March 21, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Gloria Ferniz / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn is fouled by the Los Angeles Clippers’ Smush Parker as Al Thornton defends on March 26, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn reacts after realizing that a foul called was against the Minnesota Timberwolves and not him on March 28, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Gloria Ferniz / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives around the Seattle SuperSonics’ Luke Ridnour on April 11, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives to the basket through the Seattle SuperSonics’ Luke Ridnour on April 11, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili passes to teammate Jacque Vaughn as the Phoenix Suns’ Gordan Giricek defends him during Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs in Phoenix on April 25, 2008. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives past the Phoenix Suns’ Amar’e Stoudemire on his way to the hoop during Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs in Phoenix on April 27, 2008. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

The Los Angeles Lakers’ Jordan Farmer gets a screen from Kobe Bryant on Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals in Los Angeles on May 23, 2008. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn visits with Avery Johnson as the team workouts at their practice facility on Oct. 1, 2008. (Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn is fouled from behind by the Miami Heat’s Shaun Livingston during a preseason game at the ATT Center on Oct. 23, 2008. (Delcia Lopez / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn loses control of a pass against the New York Knicks on Nov. 11, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn runs into the Houston Rockets’ Chuck Hayes at the ATT Center on Nov. 14, 2008. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings defender Spencer Hawes in Sacramento, Calif., on Nov. 16, 2008. (Steve Yeater / Associated Press)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn is defended by the Los Angeles Clippers’ Mike Taylor in Los Angeles on Nov. 17, 2008. (Hector Mata / Associated Press)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives past the Denver Nuggets’ Anthony Carter on Nov. 19, 2008 at the ATT Center. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives past the Denver Nuggets’ Anthony Carter on Nov. 19, 2008 at the ATT Center. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives under the defense of the Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony on Nov. 19, 2008 at the ATT Center. (William Luther / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn and the Detroit Piston’s Allen Iverson compete for a loose ball at the ATT Center on Dec. 1, 2008. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives around the Golden State Warriors’ Marco Belinelli on Dec. 6, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn and the Sacramento Kings’ Jason Thompson reach for a loose ball on Dec. 22, 2008 at the ATT Center. (Gloria Ferniz / San Antonio Express-News file photo)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn drives around the Los Angeles Clippers’ Mike Taylor on March 27, 2009 at the ATT Center. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant passes the ball around the Spurs’ Jacque Vaughn and Michael Finley at the ATT Center on March 31, 2009. (Marc J. Kawanishi / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Jacque Vaughn passes around the Dallas Mavericks’ James Singleton during Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs on April 23, 2009 in Dallas. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs Summer League coach Jacque Vaughn talks to the media on July 13, 2012. (LeAnna Kosub / San Antonio Express-News)

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Express-News staff and wire reports

When Jacque Vaughn came looking for a job post-playing career in 2010, the Spurs did not have an opening for an assistant coach. So Gregg Popovich created one.

That’s how highly Popovich thought of Vaughn, Tony Parker’s former backup. Even then, Popovich knew Vaughn would be a short-term rental.

His coaching career apparently strapped to a rocket ship, Vaughn was named the head coach of the Orlando Magic on Saturday after just two seasons as an NBA assistant.

Magic general manager Rob Hennigan, also a former Spurs protégé, will formally introduce Vaughn, who replaces Stan Van Gundy, at a news conference Monday.

“As we navigated through our coaching search, we quickly saw that Jacque’s spirit and leadership strengths made him the clear choice,” Hennigan said in a statement. “We are confident that his diligence, attention to detail and communication style will help establish the bedrock of our culture moving forward. His commitment and passion to building a sustainable program will help steer our organization for years to come.”

Vaughn, 37, played 12 NBA seasons, mostly as a backup point guard. He spent his final three seasons, from 2006-09, playing under Popovich with the Spurs. A first-round pick of Utah in 1997, Vaughn played his first four seasons under legendary Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

In a bit of a twist, Vaughn spent the 2002-03 season playing in Orlando, where he started a career-high 48 games.

Considered a bright up-and-comer in most basketball circles, Vaughn’s résumé is admittedly light. His only head-coaching experience came earlier this month in Las Vegas, where he guided the Spurs’ summer league squad to a 2-2 record.

When Popovich hired Vaughn two summers ago, he drew comparisons to Avery Johnson, another ex-Spurs point guard who went on to an NBA head-coaching job.

“Jacque Vaughn is a star,” Popovich said then. “You can see the same qualities in him that you saw in Avery.”

Vaughn becomes the second Spurs assistant to leave this offseason. Don Newman, a longtime Popovich aide, was hired as Randy Wittman’s lead assistant in Washington.

Hennigan chose Vaughn from a pool of finalists that included Phoenix Suns development coach Lindsey Hunter and ex-Detroit Pistons coach and current Philadelphia 76ers assistant Michael Curry.

Even before Vaughn was announced, the potential choice was receiving some criticism after Vaughn moved to a front-runner position.

Former Magic player and current television analyst Shaquille O’Neal posted a scathing assessment of Vaughn likely succeeding Van Gundy, posting on Twitter: “Orlando magic is about to hire jock Vaughn over mike Malone or Brian shaw are u kidding me, wow, good luck winning wit Dat team Dwite Howard.”

Malone, Golden State’s lead assistant, and Shaw, Indiana’s associate head coach, received preliminary interviews and like Vaughn are considered in NBA circles to be rising prospects among the assistant coaching ranks.

O’Neal has friendship ties to both. He played with Shaw as a member of the Lakers and Magic and briefly played under Malone, then a Cavaliers assistant.

That criticism aside, the biggest unknown is what — if anything — Vaughn’s hire will do to quell or exacerbate Magic center Dwight Howard’s desire to leave town.

Howard reissued his trade demand to Hennigan when the pair met for the first time in Los Angeles last month, singling out the Brooklyn Nets as his desired landing spot.

Express-News staff writer Jeff McDonald contributed to this report.