Eight is the number of the day in San Antonio. Eight as the number of defeats in a row. But also eight, like the number of counters of Victor Wembanyama ! Facing Memphis and the best defender in the NBA, the Frenchman came close to a triple-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 8 blocks. “Wemby” equals Brook Lopez’s season record, and he approaches Tim Duncan’s nine blocks, achieved in 2007.
Unfortunately, it’s not enough and the Spurs slip to last place in the Western Conference. Nothing to dampen the Frenchman’s morale, because the atmosphere remains healthy.
“When we lose, we lose together”
“We have a very healthy locker room, healthy relationships between us and, it’s not a problem at all,” responds Wembanyama about possible tensions in the group during this period. “When we lose, we lose together. If someone lowers their head, we will help them. If someone falls on the field, we all rush to help them get up. »
An American journalist asks him if his eight blocks are a sign that teams are attacking him more. ” I can’t find. I would even say that this is less and less the case” he answers. However, Jaren Jackson Jr was not stingy with his aggression. He even forced a lot, and he was rewarded: 7 out of 20 on shots but… 11 out of 12 on free throws for Memphis’ star interior.
For Gregg Popovich, defeat is part of learning, and we must not let it demoralize us. “You know he’s learning, and I don’t think we’re surprising the world in any way. It’s definitely a learning process, but it lends itself to it. And he’s doing very well.” repeats the Spurs coach.
“It is sometimes difficult to be patient”
While they have recovered the first choice of the Draft, and a generational player, the Spurs have a worse record than last season at the same stage of the season. How to keep morale up despite this very bad series?
“There are sacrifices to be made and we are all willing to make them, but of course sometimes it is difficult to be patient”replies Wembanyama. “But it’s like in life, it’s a daily struggle. I know at the end of the season we won’t look like we did at the start of the season. We still have a way to go. This is progression. As long as you continue to see clearly, (and) you don’t lose your focus, everything is fine. It’s not yet a difficult time. »
| Victor Wembanyama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 12 | 30 | 43.6 | 27.9 | 77.1 | 2.0 | 7.3 | 9.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 19.3 |
| Total | 12 | 30 | 43.6 | 27.9 | 77.1 | 2.0 | 7.3 | 9.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 19.3 | |
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.
