This Friday evening, the Spurs Victor Wembanyama are playing their second preseason game, and they will face the Heat’s C team since 2023 NBA finalists left nine players at home : Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, Josh Richardson, Jaime Jaquez but also Kevin Love and Kyle Lowry. Some have minor glitches, but others were simply left behind in Miami because Erik Spoelstra “ cannot play 21 players“.
As it is the Spurs’ first home match, and it is televised, we imagine that Gregg Popovich will line up Victor Wembanyama, and 48 hours after his first outing, very convincing against the Thunder, the only question concerns the position of the French, and his role on the ground. “ We still wonder if he should be in the low post or wideand where we can take advantage of its qualities » confirms Gregg Popovich. “I’m not even sure he knows that himself…”
Gregg Popovich in observation phase
What “Wemby” likes is that Gregg Popovich “ didn’t put it in a box ” and like his magnificent left-handed basket to avoid the Thunder defense, he appreciates the ” freestyle“. Clearly, the Frenchman enjoys great freedom in attack, being able to start from very far away.
“You first have to observe him for a while and see what his natural inclinations are, and where he seems to be comfortable on the pitch”, continues Coach Pop’. ” Afterwards, we will be able to determine if there is something to add to our game or to improve. There are a lot of very interesting questions that we can answer. Who is he ? Who is he most comfortable with in the starting five? What should the rotations be? »
Clearly, everything revolves around “Wemby”, and his potential, as immense as it is intriguing, forced Gregg Popovich to place him in defense on… Lu Dort! For what ? Because having him defend on heavier and stronger pivots may not be the best solution.
More useful out wide or under the circle?
“ As he has a large wingspan, one might think that he is more useful for defending out wide rather than under the circle. It depends on the opposing pivot. Some are quite big and strong, and that might be difficult for him right now.” analyzes Gregg Popovich.
For Devin Vassell, it’s still a shame to deprive himself of his 2m23 and 2m45 wingspan under the circle. “When he moves around the paint and blocks, he can help us a lot. I don’t think he realizes how much he’ll be able to help us. No one in the NBA is capable of doing some of the things he does. »
Unfortunately, given the absentees, it is perhaps not the match against the Heat which will provide answers, but it will always be useful for work. If Gregg Popovich lines him up of course.
