With 14 wins for 52 losses, and last place in the West, the Spurs are mathematically eliminated from the race for the playoffs. There are only 16 matches left to play for Victor Wembanyama and Company.
But for all that, there is no question for the Frenchman, slowed down by some physical problems, of ignoring the last weeks of his rookie season.
“How important is this?” That’s the whole point”explained “Wemby” after the last defeat against the Rockets. “The coach repeated it again this evening in the locker room. This is our job and this is why we are here, to win as quickly as possible, but also in the long term. So there is no other option. »
Of course, Victor Wembanyama undoubtedly has the Rookie of the Year trophy in mind, while he still has to play seven games to reach the mark of 65 games and be eligible.
But for Gregg Popovich, playing the entire campaign is also a way to get a complete picture.
Taste everything, to get used to it as quickly as possible
“He had the opportunity to see the whole league, as far as the players, the Rodeo Trip, the All-Star break, the (rookie) wall here and there.”explains the Spurs technician. “And he came out of it magnificently.”
For the person concerned also, there is no question of choosing the easy way out by skipping the end of the campaign, even without sporting interest. Even if the Paris Olympics are coming, he wants to get used to everything in the NBA.
“No matter the circumstances, we have to do what we can do and do it often because we won't have quality time all the time”explains Victor Wembanyama on his physical preparation. “For example, sometimes we have to take a nap on the bus or eat on the go. Quality is important, but we also have to do a lot of things to be ready for the game: the ice, the pressure, everything. »
Running the marathon to the end is therefore a way to understand it and get used to it as quickly as possible.
“For me, it’s not even a question. How much do I want [terminer l’année] ? As much as I wanted it all season. I have this responsibility towards my team” he concludes.
| Victor Wembanyama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 58 | 29 | 46.7 | 33.3 | 80.4 | 2.1 | 8.2 | 10.3 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 20.7 |
| Total | 58 | 29 | 46.7 | 33.3 | 80.4 | 2.1 | 8.2 | 10.3 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 20.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
