Spurs don’t want to take any risks. Before starting their regular season marathon and its 82 games, the Texan franchise once again spared Victor Wembanyama (17 minutes) during the narrow defeat in Miami (120-117). « [Sa restriction de temps de jeu] is a precautionary measure as he has received a few minor blows recently”, Gregg Popovich justifies himself.
Coming into play only in the first half before going for a post-match weight training session and various treatments, the French interior did not really have time to show itself, finishing with 8 points at 3/6 in the shots including 1/4 behind the arc, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. With only two appearances in four outings, Victor Wembanyama seems to be okay with it, saying « [faire] trust in the staff »while recalling “the importance of having quality minutes in preseason” and saying to himself “ready to focus on that”.
Victor Wembanyama wants to become a better playmaker
After a 2023/24 season concluded in penultimate place in the Western Conference (22 wins – 60 losses), the Spurs have hammered it home time and time again since the restart: they are aiming for the playoffs, failing that the play- in.
“Even though we are still getting used to it, I have the impression that as a team, and therefore also individually, we have much more control over the tactical and technical aspect of the game”believes Wemby, “really confident for this season”recalling that a successful 2024/25 financial year would be “a year when [les Spurs] will not waste time making mistakes [qu’ils] committed last year.
Unanimously elected rookie of the year after a full season individually (21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 interceptions, all in 71 games), Wemby hopes to become a better playmaker this season. In this sense, he estimates that making more than four passes per match “would be a good mark of improvement”.
“I have to make my teammates’ play easier”he continues. “We are building this connection but it still takes a little time”.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States).
