2023-10-24 21:47:21
Only one more day to wait before finally officially starting an NBA match in a Spurs jersey. It will be Wednesday evening (3:30 a.m. French time on the night of Wednesday to Thursday) against the Dallas Mavericks. Scrutinized by the entire basketball world, the young French giant of 2.22 m Victor Wembanyama will finally measure himself against the best in the world of basketball.
How do you feel about starting your NBA career this Wednesday night against Dallas?
I feel lucky but also extremely focused. This all seems a bit unreal to me. I thought a month ago that the preparation matches would prepare me for this but what I feel now is very different from what I expected to experience. I have a few butterflies in my stomach, even if that’s usually the case before each meeting.
The NBA lottery for San Antonio was five months ago, but it seems like an eternity…
It remains to this day one of the best evenings of my life. I had this belief that Spurs were going to win it. But I’m not going to lie to you, I was also very stressed!
How did you go through preparing for the season with your team?
I have learned so much since I arrived. Offensively but especially defensively. I love learning. It’s very promising. We progressed faster than I imagined. Above all, we were able to test things. In my previous teams it was more difficult, we couldn’t really try new things because the championships were very competitive. It was too risky. For this first meeting, the coach told me to play harder and smarter than the opponent, that everything starts from there.
You did not play any of the fourth quarters during the preparation matches…
Yes and I miss it. It’s been months now since I’ve completed a meeting. No one has seen my best side yet. Do I consider myself a clutch player (decisive in key moments)? Yes of course !
Does the NBA seem more difficult to you in terms of rhythm and cardio?
I wouldn’t say more difficult, but different in any case. There are more contacts than in Europe, the field is smaller too, but people run and jump here like nowhere else. I needed a little time to adapt, and I will need it again. There are more downtimes too, or maybe they are longer, which leaves more time to rest!
“I want to play as many matches as possible, every match if there is no risk to my health”
You are the player everyone wants to challenge. Dallas notably trained to defend with fake extension arms. Are you ready for the physical challenge?
It was fun to see this video but it’s not anything new. This has already been done often. As for the physical challenge, it’s something I’ve had to deal with my whole life. I’m not scared by it, it’s part of the game. I’m used to it. There’s a lot of excitement before we get going and play every weekend against all these players.
You are being announced as the player who will increase the popularity of basketball around the world. How do you deal with this?
It’s going to happen and it’s already happening. I see that more and more French people are interested in this sport and I am happy about it. It’s something that I have deep in my heart: attracting more French people to basketball. I advise them to arm themselves with plenty of coffee to watch the matches in the middle of the night. The first one is at 3:30 a.m.! It’s nice to see so many French people interested in me. Sometimes I see flags in the stands, I always try to wave or clap. It’s my blood.
14 French people, a record, will play in the NBA this season. How do you react to this?
It’s a record ? Everyone is starting to see that France is emerging in this sport. There is already a wealth of talent in the NBA and more is on the way. I couldn’t be more proud. I am very lucky to come from France.
What will be your goals in the months and years to come?
I want to win as many titles as possible. This is one of my big goals in my life. I am ready to sacrifice everything for this. As for my season, I want to play as many matches as possible, every match if there is no risk to my health.
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