NBA Paris Games – San Antonio Spurs – Indiana Pacers – Victor Wembanyama, the constant quest

Victor Wembanyama returns to Paris in the costume of an NBA star. He left less than two years ago though. But since then, water has flowed under the bridges. The former Nanterre prodigy amazed the basketball world. And assumed its status as a generational phenomenon. Silver medalist at the Olympic Games this summer with the Blues, the number 1 in the 2023 NBA draft is already a major player in the North American League. And he continues to pose problems for opposing teams and receive praise from the game’s biggest stars. But don’t believe that he arrives in Paris as a satisfied and accomplished player, eager to rest on his laurels to take advantage of the event for these two NBA matches of Spurs against the Pacers in Bercy. It’s not the style of the former kid from Chesnay.

As since his first steps on the slats, Victor Wembanyama is hungry to make an impression. And to take advantage of the slightest opportunity to reach new milestones. To do this, he seeks to constantly progress. Those who had the chance to see him at the Olympic Games with the Blues and who will still be at Bercy this week will discover a slightly different player. Since the Games, “I have proven myself in almost all (fields). Particularly in knowing myself and my teammates. This is reflected in many sectors but, already, statistically there are progressions, and other statistics which are maintained“, welcomed Wemby this week.

After his excellent rookie season on an individual level (21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.6 blocks), the Habs are now averaging 24.4 pts, 10.8 rebounds and 4 points per game – still the best in this area -. And the Spurs have above all reached a milestone collectively, with the reinforcements of Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes. Today, they dream of securing a spot in the playoffs. Enough to satisfy this exceptional hard worker who always wants to go further, even if it means having to miss out on things from time to time, like his first months in the NBA where the Spurs gave him time to demonstrate his way of playing: “It’s by making mistakes that we learn“, he says today.

This season, Wemby is playing the opposite more fair, while he is obviously the cornerstone of San Antonio’s game. Alongside Chris Paul, he enjoys being much more precise from afar. And Wembanyama’s daily way of being has a lot to do with it. “I get to see him every day, see his work ethichis humility”, appreciates the veteran leader, known in the League for his demands, and clearly seduced by his young teammate.

The relationship between the two stars is at the heart of Wemby’s progress this season, despite their age difference: “It goes both ways, says the former Clippers playing master. I continue to learn. This is important in all relationships. And ‘Vic’ doesn’t hesitate to tell me things. Our team will continue to grow. And Vic is great for this way of looking at things.“. A feeling confirmed by their coach Mitch Johnson, who is currently replacing the legendary Gregg Popovich who is still recovering: “The way he wants to be coached, it makes things easy. He really wants to improve. Despite his undeniable talent upon his arrival in the League, there is always room to improve. He knows it and wants to do everything for it. From there, it’s fun to be part of the process“.

This desire to always push the limits, as he has since a young age, places him in this category of extraordinary player capable of writing the history of the game.”He is close to Ralph Sampson or Arvydas Sabonis, but at the time, the coaching staffs did not imagine that a player of this size could do that. I am in awe of his talent. He will surely be the face of basketball“, predicts Rick Carlisle, the Pacers coach.

And this week for these two NBA matches in Paris, this requirement to always go high will translate into the desire to meet the expectations of the French public. And to revive his Spurs, who remain with three losses and only one victory in their last seven meetings. He believes that winning these two matches in France “is important like all matches” while speaking of “his responsibility” to his coaches and teammates. A requirement that now characterizes him. Like all exceptional players.