Popovich, collective to build, “NBA ASAP ring”: Victor Wembanyama at the San Antonio Spurs, ideal marriage?

Considered one of the biggest prospects of all time, if not the biggest in the words of Adrian Wojnarowski, the prodigy arrives at the five-time NBA champions with a host of expectations. Is right. Between the French filiation, in line with Boris Diaw, Nando De Colo, Ian Mahinmi and of course Tony Parker, the presence of Gregg Popovich and an institution at his service, “Wemby” can aim very high as he has always known how to do. . But all of this will take time. The pressure will be there too. This is what you have to be prepared for above all.

What place for Wembanyama within the franchise?

Let’s be frank, Victor Wembanyama arrives in almost conquered territory in Texas. After two decades of success in spades, marked by the Duncan-Parker-Ginobili trio, the Spurs have some difficulty in finding a spearhead. A leader, above all. From Kawhi Leonard to DeMar DeRozan, passing by LaMarcus Aldridge, no one has really managed to embody the face of the franchise.

In two years, San Antonio has done a huge cleaning to find a new headliner. The Texans have put all the chances on their side to try to attract Victor Wembanyama. It is almost with a messiah costume that the native of Chesnay arrives. Nevertheless, the Frenchman is a “team player” as he insisted on reminding ESPN last night. However, the label of leader quickly fell to him.

What are the forces present around Wembanyama?

Propelled cornerstone and heart of the Spurs project from the outset, “Wemby” lands in a very “green” environment, but with a quality base. San Antonio has one of the youngest rosters in the league with a slew of talent under the age of 25. With their slasher profile to attack the basket, Keldon Johnson (23) and Devin Vassell (22) managed to do well in this project. Jeremy Sochan (19), Blake Wesley (20) or Malaki Branham (20) have shown great things for a few months. However, none seem to take on the role of a potential star.

It will also come as no surprise to see Gregg Popovich try out the player in multiple frontcourt positions. The presence of an experienced leader capable of feeding the French giant is also a subject. Well served by Tremont Waters at the Mets 92, before the departure of the American, the French “big man” needs cartridges. It remains to be seen who the Spurs will be able to flank him during the offseason or if an association with Tre Jones, drafted in 2020, can hit the mark.

The development project is still substantial for Gregg Popovich and his staff. For his first steps in the big league, Victor Wembanyama will not have a “sidekick” or lieutenant of choice. Even if all the players mentioned are likely to constitute a very solid core for the years to come. San Antonio is not a “dream” destination for free agents. The maturation of the nucleus already present will be crucial. Before possibly being able to attract some beautiful fish from the league, who knows…

What can Spurs hope for in the short term with Wembanyama?

“I will do everything to win as many matches as possible. I will try to win a ring ASAP (note, as soon as possible) so be ready“. Victor Wembanyama announced the color from the outset last night at the microphone of Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Stuffed with ambition, the Parisian will have to be patient.

Because here again, the question of the workforce is the main component to aim high right away. This is the complete opposite of the David Robinson and Tim Duncan eras when the Texans had more solid bases and accumulated 35 more victories than the previous year with “The Admiral”, 36 with “The Big Fundamental” who had d elsewhere evolved with the first quoted.

In an increasingly competitive Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs will have to be patient. Very patient, even. It would also not be surprising to see the five-time NBA champions squat the league’s slums in the first season of “Wemby”, at a minimum. Time, it will take the Texans to find the right formula around the French giant. It will also be necessary to go through the draft to find the complement of the future number 1. The Wembanyama project will take time.

Popovich, the ideal mentor… but for how long?

This new “first pick” of the draft also adds water to the Popovich mill. He is 74 years old, but he is still there. Legend of the game, “Pop” will therefore have the opportunity to polish a new diamond. And we can trust with eyes closed the Texan legend on the ability to develop tricolor talent. Victor Wembanyama will grow as a man with Popovich. Tony Parker can attest to that.

But the question of the age of the technician will inevitably come back on the table. Accustomed to success for almost twenty years, the native of Indiana had to reinvent himself and found pleasure in the development of young talents in recent seasons. But until when will the Hall of Famer blackboard the benches? Popovich is not eternal. We can hope to see it grow for a few more years in Texas. But his medium-term succession will be closely scrutinized.

Can Wembanyama quickly acclimatize to NBA play?

This is also the question that everyone is asking. The answer is obvious: yes, Victor Wembanyama has the keys to quickly blend into the mold of the NBA. His performances have already aroused the admiration of big league leaders, from Stephen Curry to Giannis Antetokounmpo via LeBron James, who called him an alien.

His ability to carry danger in all areas of the game, in the racket with mid-range shots, but also outside make him a threat that perfectly suits the requirements of the current NBA. His defensive qualities, his size and especially his basketball IQ are important tools in his arsenal.

There remains therefore the great physical questioning and its ability to wrestle with the golgoths that the Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and other Nikola Jokic can represent. “Wemby” had announced that he had focused part of his preparation for the NBA on the physical level, in particular to go to the circle. It will probably take some time before it becomes the dominating monster we expect, but the phenomenon already has a plethora of tricks up its sleeve. Starting with its very likely future franchise, and that’s already quite a point.