Let us not lie to ourselves. The number-one pick in the draft, the future of the franchise, the most hyped Summer League debut since Zion Williamson was mostly an oddball who looked out of sorts. Mike Finger tweeted that Victor Wembanyama looked and sounded thoughtful but also it was the least enthusiastic press conference he’s given in his short time in San Antonio. He was disappointed in not having put on a show. Someone on twitter called him Oui Jianlin. The jokes are deserved and sure, a little unfair (he’s 19!) and still all part of the game (he wants the attention).
Wembanyama has the classic dilemma of having exactly what he wants — fame and fortune and immense opportunity for more of the same — but also the tremendous cost that is associated with it. One remarkable thing about LeBron James is how he handled — and continues to handle — the incredible pressure that came with his talent at such an early age. LeBron was the Next Big Thing at 17 years old, and largely produced — his first game against Sacramento was appointment viewing. I know, I made every effort to watch it.
Wemby is much more mature and wise that your typical 19-year old. He spoke of his debut with the kind of veteran savvy that shows he is thinking of a longer game and a bigger project. “Sometimes I was off-rhythm with the plays and the calls. I think the biggest improvements I’ve got to do is be ready to react to the plays that were called by the point guard and stay connected.”
He said he was “tired and exhausted” when he came out and that he needs to improve his conditioning. It is true. He has a unique physique and he and his team have long been focussed on the particular challenges of his size and maintaining his availability. He famously quipped that others should “skinny up” when asked if he thought about bulking up for the NBA. Last night, he looked like he had deer-legs. He wobbled about, didn’t have explosion, and that is why he left some bunnies short. It is all correctable. It was pre-season game number one, while Brandon Miller was on number two. In the “battle” last night, one had the advantage of time. Miller looked wobbly in his debut the other night, and so when people say “hey maybe be a little patient” they are thinking of that kind of thing.
Julian Champagnie looked like the star, and it makes sense. He has a year under his belt, and has scored buckets in real-life NBA games. He understands the speed and efficiency required to get buckets in the best league in the world. The French league is a solid one, but isn’t the level of the Spanish (Doncic) and definitely not the NBA. It is not time to panic, but we can also acknowledge reality. Wemby’s debut was a lot of meh, but it doesn’t tell us much about the future yet.
Meanwhile, in a glimpse of how different the Spurs’ life will be with Wembanyama instead of the quiet Duncan and Kawhi years, consider that Britney Spears got her self involved in some TMZ fiasco by trying to touch Wembanyama and getting smacked in the face (by her own hand) after the security guard back-handed her. I mean the last time we saw so much celebrity drama, Tony Parker nearly was blinded at Drake’s party. Those French hoopers, man.