For once, the schedule was practical for French viewers: 2:30 p.m. in Texas, 9:30 p.m. in Paris. The final game of the San Antonio Spurs regular season was supposed to end Victor Wembanyama’s first NBA season in style. But it is in street clothes that he will watch his partners face the Detroit Pistons this Sunday: the Spurs staff made his withdrawal official on Saturday evening, thus ending Wemby’s season a little prematurely. And frustrating…
Already, the day before, following the success against Denver (121-120), coach Gregg Popovich had left doubts lingering. “We’ll see, but he played 37 minutes and that’s a lot,” declared the experienced trainer, keen to take care of his foal. Once again, it was to protect Wembanyama’s right ankle that Spurs decided to deprive him of the match. “I’m ready,” assured the Frenchman after the match. I fought all year to play and to fulfill my role for this team. »
“I’m a little disappointed but we’ll come back, he’s here for a long time”
Victor Wembanyama will therefore have missed 11 matches this season. The reasons given? Mainly the right ankle, but also the left, as well as the right hip, shoulder and its condition (rest). The Frenchman went through the season generally in good health. He removed doubts about his physical ability to withstand shocks and endure the hellish pace of the NBA.
In Gregg Popovich’s mind, building a player is a long-term vision. “It had worked with Tim Duncan in the past so we trust him,” says Guillermo, a season ticket holder at Frost Bank Center this season. But more recently, the adventure ended badly with Kawhi Leonard. He had accused the Spurs of not having managed his (quadriceps) injury very well, and I think Pop and the medical staff want to avoid going through that again. »
Especially since a victory is not essential for Spurs who have had nothing to play for a while (21W-60L, worst record in the Western Conference before the last day tied with Portland). On the contrary: by discovering the draft system, the French public also discovered “tanking”, this practice consisting of more or less voluntarily losing matches in order to be among the lowest ranked, and thus increase one’s chances of winning. inherit one of the best young players entering the NBA.
The Paris Olympic Games in sight
However, by winning 6 of their last 10 meetings, the Spurs have improved their record and now leave behind 4 other teams (Portland in the West, Detroit, Washington and Charlotte in the East)… further reducing their chances of winning. attracting among the best young people of the 2024 “vintage”. From there to imagine the Texan franchise sacrificing its last match by leaving its best player to rest?
“No, I don’t think so,” corrects Silvia, an occasional Spurs supporter. They just want to protect Wemby from getting hurt. I bought my ticket to see the match with my son. I’m a little disappointed but we’ve already come to see it this season and we’ll come back. He’s here for a long time. »
Victor Wembanyama has other, much more important objectives in the coming months to take the risk of a stupid injury. He finished the season with an average of 21.4 points per game, as well as 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks (the best record in the NBA), which will undoubtedly give him the title of rookie of the year. Since the All Star Game in mid-February, it’s even better (23.5 points, 12 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.5 blocks), a sign of his rise in power during the season. He already has his head turned towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he has admitted to wanting to aim for the gold medal with the Blues.
