Wembanyama everything, and more
What lets Victor Wembanyama know he’s nearing success, that he’s closing in on super stardom, is the attention.
He worked out prior to the Spurs matchup with the Celtics to a horde of camera and fans. Wembanyama, the 7foot-4-inch wunderkind from France, was conducting his normal workout, doing his “normal” things to oohs from the Celtics faithful.
“Normal” for Victor is not normal for us. In one move, he took one step from the free throw line, extended his arm like a tape measure and softly laid the ball through the hoop. On the next drill, he dunked it, the ball looking like rolled-up paper in his hand.
In his first half season as an NBA player, Wembanyama is good for one play, one move that even the oldest school fan has never seen. In San Antonio last month, it was the crossover and then dunk on Derrick White. On Wednesday at TD Garden, Wembanyama took a pass from Devin Vassell, raised his left arm, then dunked on Luke Kornet from about 8 feet from the basket.
It was a move reminiscent of Wilt Chamberlain, who blended world-class athleticism with his reach to become nearly unstoppable at the rim. Wembanyama is not Chamberlain; he lacks the power and strength, but he has the skills of a point guard with a silky shooting touch along with a reach that is generational.
While the Celtics coasted to a 11798 victory, Wembanyama finished with 27 points in 27 minutes in his Boston debut. The Spurs are among the league’s worst teams (7-33) but they are using this season to nurture Wembanyama as he quickly adapts to the NBA level.
The Spurs are monitoring his minutes and game appearances. He will not play in the first game of their backto-back set Friday in Charlotte. But he went through a rigorous workout in the visitors’ weight room following the game, and then rested on a black leather chair in the hallway outside the locker room to speak with the media.
It’s his umpteenth interview since arriving in the United States as the No. 1 overall pick and most touted prospect since LeBron James.
“What I expected is, well I didn’t expect anything,” he said. “I know it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take some time before we can be contenders for a title. I was ready for anything and I’m still ready to do any sacrifice, you know? I’m patient but I’m not wasting time. I trust us for the long term, but I was ready for anything.”
The Spurs aren’t rushing the development process. They expect to lose on most nights but are trying to instill the right habits in their young core. Wembanyama has impressed his 74-yearold coach Gregg Popovich, who became a Hall of Fame coach by leading all-time great big man David Robinson and Tim Duncan on similar paths as Wembanyama.
“He’s already fit into [our culture] very well,” Popovich said. “He’s 20 and he’s probably the most mature 20-yearold I’ve ever run into. He’s got not just a knack and an IQ for the game but just worldly. He understands priorities; all the hoopla around him doesn’t affect him. He just does his job, works hard. He’s a great teammate. He’s going to be a wonderful player.”
And as long as Wembanyama is a Spur, they are going to be a draw. They are consistently on national television despite a starting five that only a loyal San Antonio fan could name. The intrigue surrounding Wembanyama is soaring because he’s good for at least one jaw-dropping play.
Seeing him in person is nothing like on television. He is imposing physically and his knowledge and mastery of the game is at its infancy despite averaging 19.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.1 blocked shots.
The attention is something he’s accustomed to. He’s been a phenom since he was a pre-teen. He threw out the first pitch at a Yankees game before his was drafted. The Victor Wembanyama hype is no longer hype because he’s living up to his potential.
The process of his growth will be fascinating because he’s capable of being a once-in-a-lifetime player because of his unicorn-like physical stature and an ability to play on the perimeter, which comes from watching a generation of stretch fours such as Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol.
He doesn’t acknowledge the stares or gasps when he walks by. He knows his pregame regimen, especially on the road, is like a Barry Bonds batting practice session. Fans want to see something they have never seen before, and Wembanyama is capable of pulling off those rarities in his “normal” routine.
“Actually I thought about this during the warm-up today,” he said.
“There were a whole lot of cameras on our side and it felt funny how I really don’t care. I really surprised myself how much I don’t pay attention to it and it doesn’t change my routine, it doesn’t change my attitude.
“I think I could say I’m built for this but it’s not what I love. I love the sport. I love being an elite athlete but it’s part of the job, I know. I’m trying to be amongst the best and the best always has this kind of attention.”