2023-10-08 13:34:27
At Spurs, we had never seen that: 13,500 people for a training match. The temperature, again moderate in Texas (25 degrees yesterday afternoon), is however very high inside the Frost Bank Center, the San Antonio franchise venue where the team will play an opposition in public , the season premiere: Wembanyama is going to make his debut there and the city wants to see it with their own eyes.
“We had watched extracts from matches, those in Las Vegas last year, or even highlights, but seeing it in real life is incomparable,” exclaims Davis, a forty-year-old who confides having been to college with … Tim Duncan, who came with his son Evan, and a friend, Miles. “I saw him pass close by, I almost broke my neck trying to look at his face, he’s so big!” », jokes Leonard, a player’s jersey on his shoulders.
Wembanyama is expected to be the savior of a franchise that has been struggling in recent seasons. “He brings life back here,” says Rick, happy to have been able to find a seat close to the floor. “The excitement is back, the atmosphere is once again very electric,” say Lucero and Greg, a couple who are regulars at the venue. As soon as the Frenchman enters the floor, for the warm-up, the crowd gets up and takes out their phones to immortalize the scene. “It really warmed my heart to see that every time a player on our team came on the field, they almost got a standing ovation,” Wemby said afterward. It is especially for him that the fans stand up!
Spectacular dunks
We’re still in the pre-match but the French star is already putting on a show. He strings together spectacular dunks. “We’ll have a blast if he gives us ones like that all season,” jokes a fan in his neighbor’s ear. The match begins, Wembanyama misses a first shot, suffers a foul which sends him to the line. He misses his first free throw and makes the second. With 4 minutes remaining in the first quarter, he takes the ball, dribbles, and hits a 3-pointer after a step-back. Evan, a young teenager, stands up and clenches his fist. “Did he really just do that?” », asks, incredulously, a fan seated a little further away.
Later, he sent a pass from elsewhere to his teammate Devonte Graham who scored 3 points. “But how did he do it? », enthuses a spectator. The rest of the match is calmer, he alternates times on the bench to rest. “I have the impression that he is holding back a little,” says Meredith, who came with her children Joshua, Eli, Ethan, Kinjy and Chris. I find that he can be more involved defensively and offensively. »
9 points on the clock
“What matters is to see the quality he can achieve, like the passes he is capable of making,” say Mario, Dean and Doug, three friends who came together to watch the opposition. The points will come later, we’re not worried. » Wembanyama finished the match with 9 points on the clock. “It was really very good,” judged the player after training. The best version of myself comes from making my teammates the best I can be. You can’t win alone. »
The fans left the room, they were able to get a glimpse of Wembanyama on the floor. “He will be ready for the start of the season,” assures Alex, a 22-year-old supporter. The Spurs will learn how to use it. » The fans will learn to love him too. We have not yet heard a song in praise of the Frenchman, but we already feel a very close bond between the player and the public. “Seeing the enthusiasm of all these people makes me want to give them what they want, and all they want is wins,” Wemby continued. I will give 100% on and off the court for these fans and for the franchise. »
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