Victor Wembanyama is set to begin his NBA career this week when the new season begins. Loren Elliott / AFPThe NBA’s 82-game season begins with a doubleheader involving four Western Conference teams, capping a tumultuous off-season that saw numerous coaching changes and major deals.In a replay of their Western Conference finals matchup from the previous season, the Nuggets welcome LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Golden State Warriors host Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.The Spurs’ matchup with the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday will provide French youngster Wembanyama, the top overall pick who is considered a once-in-a-generation talent, with his first taste of competitive NBA play.James referred to the 19-year-old from the Paris suburbs as a “extra-terrestrial” before he joined the NBA, but the player has so far shown every sign that he is prepared to live up to the hype.In his four preseason games for San Antonio, Wembanyama averaged just over 19 points per game, which is good enough to imply that his aim of getting the Spurs back to the postseason this year is very much within reach.Wembanyama is a player who may change the game. He is reported to be 8 feet tall with a wingspan of 8 feet, and he is 7 feet 4 inches (2.25 meters) tall.More importantly, Wembanyama has the kind of steady demeanor that indicates he won’t be moved by the high standards set for his little stature.Gregg Popovich, the esteemed coach of San Antonio, is confident that Wembanyama can handle the attention.”One of my major concerns was to figure out how to protect him,” stated Popovich.”I told myself that I would give him lectures on this and how to handle that.But as soon as I started talking to him, I noticed that he was kind of staring at me, asking, ‘Why is this guy giving me all this stuff?’ He is aware of it already.”He has experienced it. He’s got moral fiber. He is witty in his own. He is a wise man. He is capable of handling it.”It’s already clear to the Spurs and their opponents in the preseason that Wembanyama’s size makes him a special threat on the offensive and defensive ends.
‘He changes the dynamics’
‘He changes the dynamics’Popovich has been encouraging Wembanyama’s teammates to pass the ball higher — beyond the reach of opposing defenders — when attempting to locate the Frenchman.
“He’s different,” Popovich said. “He changes the dynamics on the court — at both ends of the court.”
The excitement generated by Wembanyama is palpable. More than 13,000 fans turned up to a Spurs pre-season practice to watch him and NBA executives say the Frenchman has attracted 95 million views across the league’s social media channels — more than any other player in the league.
“Victor has the potential here to expand the audience, expand the number of people who watch basketball, because people are so interested in seeing this one-of-a-kind player,” NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said in a recent conference call.
“He is going to be a treat to watch.”
Wembanyama will be attempting to lead San Antonio back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-2019 campaign.
For that to happen, the Spurs will have to navigate their way through a stacked Western Conference that includes reigning champion Denver and a reloaded Lakers unit led by James, back for his 21st NBA season at the age of 38.
The Nikola Jokic-led Nuggets won their first NBA title with a dominant 4-1 series victory over Miami in June but immediately began talking about chasing a second.
“I’ve got news for everybody out there — we’re not satisfied with one,” head coach Michael Malone warned.
Denver will reassemble the nucleus of the team that won the championship the previous year, and based on the age distribution of their roster, they should be the club to beat going forward.
The Lakers, on the other hand, relieved some of the strain on James and Anthony Davis by enhancing their offense in the off-season after losing to Denver in the Western Conference finals the previous year.
The Lakers could have additional scoring options this season because to the acquisitions of Christian Wood, Taurean Prince, and Gabe Vincent.
“I think we added a lot of depth, a lot of guys that have skill, size and athleticism, so I look forward to all of that coming together,” Ham said.
In the Eastern Conference, meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks landed the biggest coup of the off-season with the signing of Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Lillard will form a potent partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Bucks look to return to the NBA summit.