“It is priceless” … Emotion, spanking and full agenda, it was Victor Wembanyama in the capital

A l’Accor Hotel Arena,

Marketing level, NBA franchises are above. So see in San Antonio: a special “City Edition” jersey around here, another to celebrate the “Hispanic Heritage” there. So, a little idea for next year, if the American league decides to rest its suitcases in the French capital on the occasion of the NBA Paris Game: a “Vic City” jersey and the recipes explode. You still had to see, on Saturday at Accor Hotel Arena in Bercy, the number of spectators wearing the Flocked Wembanyama jersey to understand the extent of the phenomenon.

Obviously, the 15,935 spectators of the Parisian enclosure present on Saturday for the second meeting against Indiana only had eyes for the n ° 1 of the Draft 2023: a first ovation when it entered the parquet floor for mini-staggered Staff, a second when he returned, alone, a few minutes after his team to warm up before the in-between and then an earthquake when presenting the 5 major of the Spurs. Victor, it’s Paris, and Paris, it’s Victor.

“Thank you for making it possible”

This second match against the Pacers was however a long part of suffering for the little guy from Chesnay. A complicated start-up against the aggressive defense of Indiana, only two points in the second period and a sensational jerk (98-136) at home. Far, far from his release on Thursday (30 points, 11 rebounds, several Big Plays), where he allowed his family to sign a big victory (140-110). On Saturday, the Wembix had to be satisfied with two brilliant actions in the second quarter, a DUNK tap chained at an interception, then a award-winning shot. Back, it went.

“It is still at 20 points and 12 rebounds, we do not stop this guy like that,” said Rick Carlisle, the Pacers coach at a press conference. After the match, without having seen the stats, I would have thought he had scored fewer points, but he is at 20-12 and I don’t know how many cons. Well, 1. But we did a great job. In the race for play-in, this defeat is a stain for the spurs. But the essential was elsewhere. Especially for VW.

In a week in Paris, the former Nanterre was able to realize the dimension he had taken, for an event that was built for and around him. Very moved, close to pouring a few drops when arriving at a press conference, Wemby did not even mention the defeat and his match against the Pacers. He just took advantage of this moment to complain how these few days in Paris marked it. “I just want to emphasize that this week was incredible. Everyone has done their job to make this week fabulous this week. Thank you for making it possible. All this helps to improve our sport and make me happy at the end of the day. »»

From Chesnay to 129

Because since his arrival on the banks of the Seine on Monday, in the Parisian cold, only a few hours after taking a rouste in Miami, Victor Wembanyama has chained the requests and the events. The return to the prosecution of Nanterre, where he has evolved younger, inauguration of basketball courts at his home at Chesnay, photo in front of the Eiffel Tower, LVMH parade, match at the Parc des Princes to attend the PSG Montada against Manchester City. The planet only spinned around the head of this 21 -year -old kid.

Wemby even took advantage of his visit to Paris to take some teammates to discover the joys of French gastronomy, at 129, still in Nanterre, in his favorite kebab. But, above all, he fulfilled his role as ambassador wonderfully, putting pressure on Adam Silver, the boss of the NBA, so that the American League, and even better, San Antonio, returns to Paris every year, While nothing has yet been made.

« I did my best to do this week a special week, for my teammates, my family, my friends, and people still found a way to surprise me, to give me the impression that it was for them, That I counted for them, smiled the first role of the week. I am very happy. In the middle of a season, (this week) is priceless, this allows you to carbure for the rest. It will greatly serve me. I know it is an adventure with the French public of decades. »

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“Victor will realize what it was”

From the age of 39, the veteran Chris Paul, accustomed to the role of star wherever he went, knows that this Parisian week was complicated to manage for Victor Wembanyama. And the relative evening underperformance could be explained by a pressure which falls after five very intense days. We have thus seen it compared several times against arbitral decisions, miss “easy” passes, tangle the stilts at the time of dribbler … In short, not to have the usual impact.

“I can’t imagine what it was for Victor to come back and play at home, I know he was so excited,” said the leader. He has a lot of responsibilities: media, event, trying to see his family, whom he does not see often. And Victor is one of the guys trying to sign every autograph. We have talked about this trip for a long time. I am sure that at one point, he will come back to this and realize what it was. »»

Our file on Victor Wembanyama

On the plane that will accompany him to Texas, Victor Wembanyama will surely still have stars in his eyes. And will be able to realize, during the short week of rest that awaits them before finding the Clippers, next Thursday, that he became more than a basketball player in France. “You are lucky to be able to follow Victor for a long time,” said Chris Paul. Take care of him and cherish him. For Victor, France can go to war. And the hoots that came down from the stands when Ben Sheppard dared to touch the jewel of the Republic in the air are there to prove it.