2023-10-30 12:04:00
Enter the Crypto Arena (formerly Staples Center) and you will see a nice message written there. Almost a declaration of love to French basketball and two of its protagonists. “French Heritage Night” is written in black capital letters on a white background and surrounded by two hearts, blue and red. The words were chosen with attention and precision rare in the country of Uncle Sam. Because during the Clippers-Spurs meeting this Sunday, October 29, there was a match within the match. A duel between Nicolas Batum and Victor Wembanyama. But both of them frankly weren’t at the party…
On the one hand, the captain of the France team has 166 caps and is enjoying his 16th (and final?) NBA season. On the other hand, Victor Wembanyama, 19 years old, number 1 in the last NBA draft, is expected to be one of the best basketball players in the world in the years to come. “It’s definitely special to face him, especially since I saw him play when I was little. On the pitch, he is certainly my compatriot, but we forget him,” declared the native of Chesnay (Yvelines) after the meeting.
READ ALSO “Un1que”: in the privacy of Victor Wembanyama, French basketball prodigyMoreover, Nicolas Batum did not hesitate to steal the ball in the air while Wemby, put into orbit by Jeremy Sochan, thought of slamming a big dunk (17-31, 15′). An action which alone sums up the nightmare match that the Spurs experienced against the Clippers (-40, 123-83). Far from the Hollywood scenarios that Wemby perhaps dreamed of. Both were not flamboyant: “Batman” was lacking in skill (0/4 on shots in 15 minutes), while Victor Wembanyama was never able to impose his game (11 points, but 4/10 on shots and 5 rebounds).
Wemby in difficulty
The evening, however, foreshadowed a nice battle between the two French representatives. By chance or coincidence, it was students from the French high school in Los Angeles who waved the American flag while singer Paula DeAnda sang the American anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner”, literally “the star-spangled banner”. Aiming for the stars is more or less what Victor Wembanyama hopes for in the long term. A new leading figure in French basketball and promised a unique destiny, the former Nanterre 92 player should revolutionize the NBA in the years to come. Beyond his certain qualities as a basketball player, it is this combination, so rare, between size (2.24 m) and mobility which stands out. And in fact a one-of-a-kind sportsman.
READ ALSO NBA: Victor Wembanyama is already idolized in San AntonioExcept that Victor Wembanyama – nicknamed “The Alien” by Spurs fans – remains human and is not infallible. Author of the equalizing basket to send the match into overtime against Houston on Friday (126-122 victory), Wemby was really in difficulty for the first time since his arrival in Texas, pre-season included. “No, this is the third time I have been in as many official meetings,” corrects the MVP of the last French Championship, always very demanding of himself.
It is difficult to imagine defeat for a player of his caliber accustomed to the inimitable taste of victory and eager to learn how to win “as quickly as possible”. “Like any other player, he has to learn from his games,” says legendary 74-year-old Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who describes Wemby as “an intelligent, coachable young man.” “There is no magic formula for winning in the NBA. Simply, you shouldn’t skip steps in your progress and he says it himself. But he will get there eventually and be a great player. »
The biggest American media intrigued
As anticipated as LeBron James upon his arrival in the NBA, Wemby has been causing a sensation for a good month and the start of the pre-season. In San Antonio, frescoes, burgers, drinks and even candles with his image have appeared everywhere since the draft last June. “Wembamania”, this rather unusual and sometimes excessive craze in the United States, is not weakening. It is also being exported since for Wemby’s first away meeting, more than 19,000 people were present in the legendary Californian setting. A few “Wembanyama” flocked jerseys were also seen there. “Wemby, Wemby” even fell from the stands on several occasions. “My son already idolizes him, he’s his role model,” laughs Raphaël Declercq, a Frenchman who has lived in California for twelve years and is based in San Diego, two hours from Los Angeles. His name is Victor and a photo of Victor with Victor would be nice. »
A photo undoubtedly difficult to obtain, because Victor Wembanyama is already a star in the United States, as elsewhere. Mediatically, too, it’s madness. The former strong winger of the Metropolitans 92 of Boulogne-Levallois is hitting the headlines and intriguing all the biggest American and foreign media. Moreover, the San Antonio Express-News in fact its front page almost every day. “A star is born,” headlined the local newspaper in its start-of-season edition on Sunday, October 22, with a magnificent black and white portrait of the new darling of the Frost Bank Center. “He is the greatest player the Spurs have ever had,” describes Mike Finger, one of the journalists from the Texan daily, in the endless corridors of the Crypto Arena. He is different from Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginóbili, because unlike these three, the whole planet is already interested in Victor Wembanyama. That’s what makes it so special. »
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