After a hundred NBA games, Victor Wembanyama discovered the Fiserv Forum last night, the Bucks venue. If his duel with Giannis Antetokounmpo had set the NBA on fire last season, it took place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, and the Frenchman did not have the opportunity to play the “first leg” in Milwaukee.
It's been done since that night, and “Wemby” will not keep very good memories of it… Discreet, with the exception of a magnificent “circus shot” baseline, he makes a very average copy in defeat Spurs: 10 points at 4/10 on shots, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks and 4 personal fouls.
“In every area, they were better than us. They were better basketball players than us. We have to raise our level of play” declared the Frenchman after this 3rd defeat in a row.
Defended by the Giannis-Lopez duo, Victor Wembanyama had a lot of trouble finding good positions, and the symbol of this discretion is this second quarter ending without any points!
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard remain very admiring
“ I think it’s a more accomplished team today”, continues Victor Wembanyama. “They look better.” They look fantastic compared to how they started the season, and we've improved too. But, I think they took us seriously and gave it their all. »
On the Milwaukee side, we were well aware of challenging a phenomenon, and like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo can see the Frenchman's progress. “He has incredible talent”he declared. “He’s probably one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen on television and ever played against. He is much better than his first year, and he will continue to improve. He has a very, very bright future ahead of him. He just has to continue to work on his game, on himself. And play with pleasure.”
For Damian Lillard, playing against “Wemby” is a unique experience.
“It’s different because even when he’s beaten, he’s not beaten!” » sums up the All-Star leader. “Even when you overwhelm your player, he is there, always not far away to counter or force you to change your shot trajectory. And on offense, he can do everything… He dribbles, shoots 3-pointers, goes in the paint… He is different from any other player I have faced in terms of his size, his wingspan and his qualities. »
