2023-11-25 13:00:00
It’s an attraction the likes of which have rarely been seen on the other side of the Atlantic. At 19 years old but above all at 2m24, Victor Wembanyama is attracting everyone’s attention in the NBA as he begins his adventure with the San Antonio Spurs.
Proof of the media enthusiasm, American national television has already broadcast 16 matches of the Texan franchise this season, while there were none last year. Wemby does not escape the cameras in France either since beIN Sports has decided to broadcast all of the Spurs matches to follow the rookie’s adventures.
Fourteen defeats in a row for the Spurs
Mary Patrux, presenter of NBA ExtrabeIN’s flagship show, confirms Point that the Wembanyama phenomenon does not run out of steam, quite the contrary. “We expected it, but it’s clearly something crazy, we’ve never seen that for a French player. When I walk in the street, people mainly come to talk to me about him. He has adapted very well, he speaks English very well, without a French accent either. This was one of Tony Parker’s strengths, and Victor follows in his footsteps, he blended perfectly into the mold. In his interviews, he always gives something, it’s never lukewarm water. »
With 19 points and 10 rebounds per game on average, Wembanyama confirms his status as number one in the draft. Against Phoenix at the beginning of November, he even made an impression by scoring 38 points in front of an admiring Kevin Durant. If the Nanterre player impresses for his first steps, the collective dynamic is not as encouraging. The Spurs remain on 14 defeats in a row and their new strong man cannot stem this downward spiral alone.
Journalist at The Team, Yann Ohnona has long followed the extraordinary trajectory of the new idol of French basketball. With his book Wembanyama. “I just want to be me” published by Solar, he tells how the winger prepared for this American destiny, being aware of the obstacles that awaited him. “It’s very good that he encounters this adversity, this difficulty, otherwise you lose the flavor of the challenge. These are necessary steps to get to the top. Obviously, it must be frustrating in this situation but would it have been more rewarding, being surrounded by veterans who make everything easier? Look at Oklahoma: two years ago, the Thunder only had twenty victories and this season, this team is a candidate for the leading roles! Spurs are only at the beginning of their process, even if we live in the culture of the moment now, we have to be patient with them and Wembanyama. »
“Everywhere he went, he changed the style of his teams”
The iconic Gregg Popovich is living his 28th season on the San Antonio bench. After leading the iconic trio of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, the veteran coach must now guide the young Wembanyama. “Popovich speaks of an observation phase for his young protégé,” explains Yann Ohnona, “because he himself does not know how far he can take them. Everywhere Victor went, he changed the style of play of his teams, it always ended up revolving around him. »And the young Frenchman’s learning phase is still far from over. “Today, there are plenty of areas where he can improve and he is aware of it. He is a sponge player who remembers all the details: he must improve on shot choices, manage emotions, not force certain gestures, use his strengths…”
Even if Wembanyama sharpened up over the summer by gaining several kilos of muscle, the pace of the NBA, with its incessant comings and goings by plane, remains exhausting for a novice. “The endurance and the sequence of matches are going to be the hardest in my opinion,” announces Mary Patrux. I found him a little tired these last few days. Repeating performances three times a week, especially in a mediocre team, is anything but easy. But everyone in San Antonio wanted Victor. Going to Portland or Charlotte wouldn’t have been better. Spurs are a real institution, he is extremely well looked after, he will be pampered, and we will never throw him into the lions’ den alone. »
The Olympics in the viewfinder
Victor Wembanyama will now have to have strong shoulders and show patience during a season which promises to be very long for the Spurs at this pace. Last in the Eastern Conference, the Texan franchise aspires to regain its glory with its new major asset from France. With his sights set on the Paris Olympic Games, his first major international competition with the Blues, Wemby is well aware that this year is already a defining moment in his young but already rich career.
This Olympic meeting is already well in mind for the former ASVEL player, according to Yann Ohnona. “Last summer, he didn’t come to the World Cup and that caused frustration everywhere, even at home. But he would have sacrificed his acclimatization to his new team, to the American atmosphere, to the rooms… there was no good decision but Victor took the opportunity to rest, get in condition and in the end, he played all the games. One of the positive points is that he will arrive better prepared for the Games. The French team will be in the unknown and will have to reorganize around this centerpiece, which will immediately become a framework. » While waiting for the Blues, Wembanyama aspires above all to succeed in his grand entry into the unique world of the NBA. An extraordinary challenge for him, even more so within these Spurs in distress.
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