LAS VEGAS - Deadpan and unaffected by a temperamental NBA 2K24 Summer Association debut
Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick, ran through a list of changes that needed to be made before the 2023–24 regular season started.
He stated, "To be able to play an 82-game season, there is a lot of conditioning to do." I was always worn out and exhausted when I was kicked out of the game.
That surely displayed throughout the span of 27 minutes Friday as Wembanyama and the San Antonio Prods dropped No. 2 pick Brandon Mill operator and the Charlotte Hornets 76-68 before a sellout swarm that pressed the lower bowl of the Thomas and Mack Center almost five hours before hint fully expecting significance. Instead, the fans who shouted repeatedly throughout the night, "We want Wemby," received a substantial dose of reality.
The 19-year-old scored nine focuses on 2-for-13 shooting to go with eight bounce back, five blocks and three helps while tying for the group captain in turnovers (3). The French phenom failed on every one of his initial five 3-pointers, before at last nailing a container late in the final quarter that raised the group from its seats.
“Special occasion. Wembanyama stated, "To wear that jersey for the first time was really special." It truly is an honor. I'm glad we won this game overall. Sincerely, I had no idea what I was doing tonight on the court. However, I'm trying to learn for the subsequent games. Being prepared for the season is essential.
The weighty Prods contingent in participation would surely concur. Mentor Gregg Popovich made the journey back to the Late spring Association without precedent for ongoing years, talking all through the game with partner mentor Brett Brown and 2022 first-round pick Jeremy Sochan, as head supervisor Brian Wright and President R.C. Buford looked on from adjacent.
Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell, who had practiced with the rookie for a few sessions in San Antonio before traveling with him to Las Vegas, also attended their new teammate's Summer League debut.
This group has a really positive dynamic. Few out of every odd group would have practically the entire group on the sideline like this," Wembanyama said. " Naturally, they were always there to help. I practiced a little with them. Thus, they offered me guidance. They rely on me. They have confidence in me. It is extremely reassuring.
The 17,500 available tickets were snapped up by fans, many of whom rushed into the arena as soon as the doors opened.
Wembanyama appeared to be ready to favor them with a show right off the bat by blazing playmaking skill, ballhandling, unselfishness, and ability as an edge defender, as well as a talent for finding partners with pinpoint passes in restricted living arrangements.
However, once the forward handled the ball near the basket, he dribbled it too frequently, resulting in turnovers that could have been avoided. The newbie likewise endeavored an excessive number of moves close to the container as safeguards fell onto him.
After finishing a season in the French League just before San Antonio selected him as the No. 1 overall pick, those difficulties appeared to be caused by a combination of rust and lack of NBA experience. 1 in total. Wembanyama worked out with seasoned teammates in San Antonio who are expected to play significant roles for the Spurs next season after the club's Summer League team left last week to participate in the California Classic Summer League.
Wembanyama spent the most time on the floor with the Summer League team—one practice session on Thursday and his debut on Friday—and it showed.
"He hadn't played with those folks yet," right hand mentor Matt Nielsen said. " He worked really hard. He attracted a lot of attention. I thought he did a great job overall.
Simply not constantly.
However, no one should put too much faith in a rookie's summer performances. When Tim Duncan made his NBA debut in the summer of 1997, he wasn't exactly struggling. However, he also lacked the pedigree that would sustain him and the entire franchise throughout a Hall of Fame career and twenty or more years of dominance.
When San Antonio plays Portland on Sunday (8 p.m., ESPN2), Wembanyama gets another chance. Scoot Henderson, the third overall pick.
Wembanyama stated, "Sometimes I was off-rhythm with the plays and the calls." I think the greatest enhancements I must do is be prepared to respond to the plays that were called by the point gatekeeper and remain associated."
Comparable issues sprung up protectively, he said, when gotten some information about the banner dunk Kai Jones pummeled home in the second from last quarter off a rear entryway oop from Scratch Smith Jr.
"We have a ton to change on protection since I frequently monitor [players that are] not the large man," he said. " As far as maintaining a connection with the defense, this is what I mentioned earlier. We will occasionally be scored against. It will happen. The beneficial thing is it's the Late spring Association and we're here to learn."