2023-12-27 09:25:11
Lost all the way! The Spurs lost again largely on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday against Utah (118-130). Their 25th defeat in 29 games this season. Once again, they did not really compete, except at the start of the game thanks to a great three-point success, then at the end of the third quarter thanks to a renewed aggressiveness. But the whole is too fair, and San Antonio, one of the worst teams in the NBA, managed to concede 130 points against one of the worst attacks, which until then averaged 111 points.
How, in this context, can we exist for Victor Wembanyama, author of 15 points against Utah (as well as 7 rebounds and 5 blocks)? Especially since the Frenchman seems to be marking time, especially physically. His face is hit and he suffers the blows and charges from his adversaries. His ankle, too, is perhaps handicapping him: he has missed two of the last three matches due to a sprain.
“We have to think about the long term”
On Saturday, he had to withdraw from Dallas after stepping on the foot… of a ball boy. “I don’t blame this young guy,” said last night a visibly exhausted Wembanyama but still eager to play: “It’s obviously painful to see your team play without being able to participate, but one of the first things what the coach said to me was: my career is more important than just one match. We have to be smart and think long term. We communicate a lot with the medical staff. I told them that I trusted them to put me on the bench only when I really needed it. »
He ended the match on his knees and missing almost everything he tried in the last five minutes. He was too short on each of his shots, and even had a ball stolen that he was unable to contest on the run. Difficult, certainly, to string together three or four matches per week, traveling across the North American continent as vast as the whole of Europe, when he only played one meeting per week, in mainland France, the season last.
He will miss one of the next two games
This is also the learning of the NBA by the number 1 of the last Draft, always capable of dazzling moments but who will need time to adapt to the most competitive league in the world. Gregg Popovich also announced as soon as the match was over that his Frenchman, whom he “does not rate 100%”, would miss one of the two matches that San Antonio must play in quick succession, overnight (in ” back-to-back”) in Portland, Thursday and Friday.
A Wembanyama in top form is however essential for this team to exist. The 2.22 m giant causes misfortune when it is exploited to the maximum of its capabilities. Against Utah, he started by providing a brilliant assist for Champagnie, before hindering the opposing attacks under the circle. He then makes a three-pointer and then hits a counter on Olynyk. In three minutes, the first of the match, of the great Wemby! The rest of the half remains very good. He makes up for some risky ball handling by offering himself under the basket for two more points. He also finished the match with 4 assists but could have had more if his partners’ open shots had been converted.
“We are going to use Victor and Devin (Vassell) more on our attacks,” Gregg Popovich warned before the match. A promise kept, but which came up against a physical condition of Wembanyama and his partners which leaves something to be desired. Since the start of the season, the Spurs have struggled to keep up, even though they are the youngest team in the NBA.
In the game, Spurs seem on the same line as their results: lost! Their attacking combinations are often laborious, and the defense lacks know-how. “Some will have to be more consistent, otherwise I will have to make changes,” Popovich toughened his tone after the match, undoubtedly targeting the holder Branham (0 points in 17 minutes). The Texan coach searches a lot but struggles to find the winning formula. In this slump, Sidy Cissoko still grabbed a little playing time, barely two minutes, but which allowed him to score four points including his first basket in the NBA. All is not lost.
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