A long silence, a small sigh, a shy voice: despite an XXL stats line, Victor Wembanyama was not in the mood when debriefing the match against Jazz. Because the Spurs got their feet wet against Utah (111-110 defeat) in the heart of a very gloomy Texan afternoon. There is of course the satisfaction of Stephon Castle and a smoother offensive game with the return of Devin Vassell, but the overall copy questions and intrigues.
Even in Professor Gregg Popovich's absence, San Antonio continues to experiment with different combinations and combinations in his laboratory at the Frost Bank Center.
Above all, the five-time NBA champion franchise continues to use Victor Wembanyama primarily away from the basket. Two successful shots in the racket in 32 minutes for an inside height of 2m24, is that really enough?
Described as a “perimeter player” rather than a “inner player” by Gregg Popovich before his health problems, “Wemby” therefore spends most of his time offshore. The reigning rookie of the year, with an average of seven 3-point attempts, two more than last year, in any case continues to look for himself.
Not successful behind the arc since the start of the season, this time he scored 6 of his 9 long-range attempts. ” Really ? I hadn't scored six 3-pointers in a game yet? »he was surprised. “But this performance is not a turning point in my progress: I am not going to shoot at 66% [derrière l’arc] in my career. I just have to keep playing my game and shooting 3-pointers because that’s part of it now.”
Author of a complete statistics line (24 points on 8/15 shots, 16 rebounds and 7 blocks), Victor Wembanyama wants to continue to cultivate his versatility. “It’s very important because I’m capable of it”he believes, despite a largely unfavorable ratio of passes – turnovers against Jazz (0 passes – 7 turnovers).
Spurs want to 'find balance' in their shot selection
With two quick counterattacks on Kyle Filipowski then on John Collins at the start of a fatal last minute for the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama once thought he would offer his fans a fifth victory in ten games. But Collin Sexton (23 points) and especially Jordan Clarkson (16 points), with an offensive foul caused on “Wemby” in the final seconds, were responsible for finishing the job. “Our turnovers (20) are our biggest problem”says interim coach Mitch Johnson to justify the evening's defeat.
Reaffirming the Spurs' desire to continue shooting 3-pointers (47 attempts, the 2nd total in its history for the Texan franchise!), the 37-year-old technician recalled that he was “necessary to find a balance” with 2-point shots. Because 3-point shots, the Spurs largely used and abused them at the start of the match.
Their first fifteen points were also scored behind the arc, with a convincing success from Stephon Castle with three winning shots converted in as many attempts.
“The way we use Victor (Wembanyama) is clearly evolving, he doesn't like to be put in boxes and this is reflected on the pitch”recalled Mitch Johnson before the match. But the Spurs must still find a balance, because as Victor Wembanyama himself recalled during the training camp, he must put pressure on the opposing defenses in all areas of the pitch: “I have to continue to progress near the circle because these are the easiest shots and therefore the ones we will be looking for the most this season”.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Return of Devin Vassell successful. Having undergone foot surgery this summer, the Spurs fullback played his first minutes of the season, more than seven months after his last appearance in the NBA. In 22 minutes of play, he finished third best scorer for the Spurs against the Jazz (21 points on 8/13 on shots) and made the Texan attack more fluid.
– Another rare stat line for Victor Wembanyama. Despite his six turnovers, the native of Chesnay (Yvelines) became the first NBA player to total more than 20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks and 5 successful 3-point shots three times, in just 81 games. He is now ahead of Celtics interior Kristaps Porziņģis, author of this performance twice.
– Stephon Castle continues. After his match against Portland, the former UConn player has just posted a second successful performance against the Jazz (23 points on 8/13 shots and 3 assists in 34 minutes). “He still needs to improve in all areas because he has only played ten NBA games”tempers Mitch Johnson. “But he’s a great kid with a great temperament. He continues to learn and gain comfort through encounters. »
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States),
