The Spurs are preparing to arrive in Paris for a double confrontation against the Pacers at Bercy, on January 23 and 25. As eagerly awaited as the Beatles in their time, the Texans hope to conquer the hearts of the French, with Victor Wembanyama at the head of the gondola. For a week, the native of Chesnay (Yvelines) will be at the center of the attention and marketing strategy of the NBA, always more eager to shine in France.
After the new defeat against the Grizzlies, “Wemby” confided his excitement when approaching his Paris meeting that he “waiting with great impatience” but above all, the rookie of the year 2024 does not want to be overwhelmed by emotion. “It would be putting ourselves in danger to approach them as special matches”he notably confided to the French media present all year round in San Antonio – including DNA of Sports.
During your last match in France with the Metropolitans 92 during episode 3 of the Betclic Élite finals against Monaco at Roland-Garros, you made a heart with your fingers to the French public. Emotionally, how do you approach these two NBA games in Paris against the Pacers, two years later?
As usual, I'm going to take advantage of the public's support and take advantage of all the positive energy that people are willing to give to give it back. I don't hope to be so moved [que contre Monaco] but I'm really going to feed on it. It would be putting ourselves in danger to approach them as special matches. It would be easy to get carried away with the euphoria, I will approach them like normal matches and focus on what my team needs. Spurs will put me in good conditions to be able to concentrate on these matches and not get distracted by everything around.
“I don’t have any particular expectations but I know it’s going to be crazy”
What do you expect?
These two matches will certainly feel like home matches because we will have the public with us. I don't have any particular expectations but I know it's going to be crazy. However, I dare to hope that the reception that the French public will give me will not be as invasive as it has sometimes been in the United States. Security is more worried than me at this level (smile).
“I will do everything I can to show that Spurs must go to Paris every year”
Would you hope that the NBA would schedule two Spurs games in Paris this quickly?
Not really. I suspected it would happen one day, but when you arrive in the NBA, it's not these outsourced matches that you think of first. I'm lucky to play in Paris because some French NBA players have never had the opportunity to do so in their career. I will do everything I can to show that Spurs must go to Paris every year.
What reception will you receive from the French public?
I know that it will be different from what I have experienced so far: I have always had good surprises with the French public. During my last year in France, I played with the Mets 92, in a very small venue [à Marcel-Cerdan, 4 000 places]where there was really a lot of energy. It was special. Then, during the Olympic Games, an entire nation was behind the country. There, it will be an NBA match so it will, I'm sure, be different again.
What would you recommend for an outing in Paris?
There are still things I have to see, I haven't done everything in Paris but if I could go out with my teammates, it would be The Louvre.
“In no case is the long-term project that we are leading with Spurs being called into question”
You have just conceded a 5th defeat in 6 games against Memphis this Saturday evening. How important is this last match in Miami, before going to Paris, to you?
The match of this [vendredi] evening was already important but against the Heat, it will be very important. An NBA season is never a straight line: there are always ups and downs, we will not end up with 82 victories. But we remain very confident in what we do on a daily basis. In no case is the long-term project that we are leading with Spurs being called into question.
There are so many steps to take in this league that the motivation is always there. I have not reached the end of my potential. Before each game, I tell myself that I am very lucky to play in the NBA.
Tony Parker was one of the first Europeans to arrive in the NBA in 2001, contributing to the globalization of the League. What role did he play in the development of the Grande Ligue in France?
We should not underestimate the impact that TP had on the new generation in France, because it was when Tony was in his prime that I started watching basketball. What he did in the NBA was really good for the whole system [de la formation française].
Today, I am proud to be part of this new wave of French players arriving in the NBA. We would like to win titles with the France team. It's a great adventure but I think that French basketball has not yet reached its full potential.
The Spurs are one of the most successful franchises of the 21st century in the NBA. In your opinion, what makes it strong?
The desire not to skip a step, to play sustainable, healthy basketball. We have seen I don't know how many projects not succeed in the NBA by wanting to go too fast. The Spurs have stood out in the last 25-30 years, they are the team with the most rings.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States).
