There was a meeting between Victor Wembanyama And Jamal Crawford. We remember that the two men shared a few minutes during a “Rising Stars Challenge” training session last February, during which the second showed the first dribbling skills.
“So we met at All-Star Weekend, and I just showed him some freestyle moves, and from there our relationship took off. I showed him a dribble where he passes the ball behind his back. This is only for tall point guards and guys with long arms can pull it off. I thought he could take this gesture to the next level,” said the former Clippers back.
A desire to work with former players
Then, last summer, repeat. Gregg Popovich agrees for Jamal Crawford to come to San Antonio to spend more time with the Frenchman, in order to perfect his dribbling.
“It was the first time I worked long-term with a former NBA player”, confirms Victor Wembanyama. “I learned a lot because he has a different vision of the game from a coach since he understands the players a little better than the coaches I worked with before. It was a great experience. I will do it again. »
The triple sixth man of the season did not hide his admiration for the talent of the rookie of the year. “He’s such a unique talent. The Spurs can use him in so many different ways on the court. You can use him to bring the ball up, in the high post or in the middle of the racket, he can shoot 3-pointers in transition. He can do anything! »
Obviously, if we are to believe Keldon Johnson, between his first season and the second, which begins in less than two weeks, the French Olympic vice-champion has taken on a new dimension.
“I think every area of his game is better,” he believes. “You will see it, we see it every day. Focusing only on dribbling would have been a disservice to him. He is clearly better with the ball in his hands, but every aspect of his game has improved. »
