NBA in France: in Bercy, Victor Wembanyama as a king of the prosecution

Spurs against Indiana, but above all Victor Wembanyama. Six months after the unhappy final of the Olympic Games against Team USA, the French interior of San Antonio returns Thursday to Bercy as an absolute star, guaranteed to capture all the eyes in the match which will oppose it to the Pacers.

“We know that we are in Paris:” Wemby “, the Spurs, everyone is going to be on their side but we are ready,” said Pacecal Siakam Pacers’ smile, well aware of the scope of The event.

On the edge of the NBA stamped prosecution, which will welcome the first of the two games between San Antonio and Indiana (8 p.m.) on Thursday, the crowd of media who came to attend the training session was impressive. It was above all an more proof of the enthusiasm aroused by the arrival of the American League in France for the fourth time, and more than that of its tricolor prodigy Wembanyama, called to mark its sport of its imprint.

“I of course feel a different energy,” admits the interested party, while the city of Paris has also lived to the rhythm of the NBA for a few days.

Expected everywhere

“I am waiting to see how it will be around the room on matches of matches”, where many basketball lovers, including many celebrities, will garnish the large performance hall of the 13th century^e arrondissement of the capital.

Arrived on Monday in Paris, “Wemby” has already lived a start to the week at 100 an hour. With a first training in Nanterre, a return to his city of birth of Chesnay on Tuesday, or his presence at the Louis Vuitton parade at Fashion Week in the same day.

Expected everywhere, followed by the media around the world, it will undoubtedly be so on Thursday, in its element.

A bitter end during the Olympics

His latest arrival in Bercy, for the Olympic Games, had given rise to a bitter end, marked by a defeat (98-87) of the Blues against an American team carried by a demential Stephen Curry.

“There are still some decorations left [des JO] In the corridors, it’s nice to come back here, “said Wembanyama on Wednesday, still focused a few minutes after training.

Since the Games, “I have proven me in a little all [les domaines]he had already explained a few days earlier. Especially in the knowledge of myself, my teammates. It translates into lots of sectors, but already statistically, there are progressions, and other statistics that are maintained. ”

After a first season of rookie finished best bastor and with 21.4 points on average at the heart of a collective which ended up at the bottom of the ranking (14^e out of 15 to the west, 22 wins for 60 defeats), the N^o 1 of the draft 2023 continued to grow.

“An incredible context”

It now runs at 24.4 points and four counters on average per game – always the best in this area – and the Spurs are currently 12^eswith 19 wins. In addition, Wembanyama sees a place for the very prestigious All-Star Game, in February.

“We know that he is a really difficult player to cover, he can do everything, so we will not be able to do the job alone, we will try to do what we can,” continues Siakam, while the pacers will try To follow up after two row victories while San Antonio remains on three setbacks in a row.

And despite “an incredible context”, Victor Wembanyama believes that winning these two meetings in France “is important like all matches”.

Referring to “his responsibility” with his coaches and teammates, he claims to be “concentrated thoroughly on everything that is tactical”. And the French public undoubtedly expects to see him make sparks.

AFP

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