What if it all happened there?
When in the final minutes of the victory that was beginning to take shape against Oklahoma City, Victor Wembanyama remained upright against his rival for the title of rookie of the year Chet Holmgren, placed his hand on the ball before 'seize it.
A humiliating counter.
Like an adult would do to a child.
Holmgren, visibly surprised, found his butt on the ground, and everyone thought, at that moment, that this prestigious title which rewards the best player in his first NBA year could no longer escape the Frenchman.
Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren battled it out in San Antonio ⚔️
Wemby: 28 PTS, 13 REB, 5 BLK, W
Holmgren: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST pic.twitter.com/XnX07Om1gP
— NBA (@NBA) March 1, 2024
Because beyond the symbol of this spectacular action, Victor Wembanyama's performance was capital against the Thunder, one of the best teams in the NBA this year.
28 points, thanks in particular to 5/7 three-pointers including two in the last minutes, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 blocks.
On social networks, Spurs fans are jubilant: “The debate for the rookie of the year is over,” they write.
Victor Wembanyama, for his part, is more measured: “There are still 22 matches to play, it's not over,” he tempers a little later at a press conference, without denying the consideration he gives to this distinction.
“Individual awards like the rookie of the year title are very important to me,” he admits.
I'm in a franchise that trusts me, and I'm convinced that the best way to help my team is to perform individually all season.
»
This Wemby block sealed the Spurs' win over OKC 🚫👽 pic.twitter.com/oirPzDr8gZ
— NBA (@NBA) March 1, 2024
He specifies “the whole season” and the words have all their importance in his mouth.
Later, he refined his thinking, with lucidity and without sparing himself: “The great players, Embiid, Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), Giannis (Antetokounmpo), they don't score 30 points from time to time but every evening, he explains.
Success in this League is something you have to have in every match.
I want to follow their example.
»
“He loves these moments”
The Spurs, who have only won 12 of their 60 games this season, clearly have a lot of room for improvement.
But strangely, their last two notable successes were won against the 1st and 2nd in the Western Conference (Wolves and Thunder), the toughest.
The one against the Thunder last night was perhaps the best of the season.
San Antonio finished with 39 assists, the signature of Gregg Popovich's teams.
Also read “He captured people’s hearts”: star among stars in Indianapolis, Wembanyama has already conquered America
The Texans did not take this victory by surprise, like their previous victories against other NBA big names (Suns, Lakers, Wolves).
They built this success little by little.
At the heart of the 3rd quarter, they lead by 12 points.
A lead that they will quickly squander, to the point of being led at the start of the last act.
“We came back on the floor with Victor and we said to ourselves: no loss of balls!
», says Devin Vassell, also accurate on shots (28 points).
The Spurs are also increasing their defensive aggressiveness.
“Good teams are good defensively in the last quarter,” said Gregg Popovich, satisfied with the 22 small points conceded by his team in the 4th act.
For the rest, Victor Wembanyama took care of everything.
“Everyone played an important role at the end of the game, but Vic made some really big three-pointers,” Vassell said.
I looked at him and said to myself: there’s no way he’s going to put that one on.
And it came in.
This kid is very special.
What he does, the impact he has on both ends of the floor: he doesn't look like a rookie.
»
Under the eyes of David Robinson
He slammed two blocks, one on Gilgeous-Alexander, the other on Holmgren, and made two three-point baskets, including one from a very long distance.
“From the parking lot or from the city center,” say the commentators on TV ironically.
His eyes black, his face closed, he makes the gun sign with his three fingers.
“He's not afraid to be in the arena,” Popovich said.
He will take shots and is not afraid of the consequences, not afraid of missing.
He loves these moments.
»
Man of the people 👽🎤 https://t.co/HWQCSuj7UT pic.twitter.com/gMntFTrkcr
— NBA (@NBA) March 1, 2024
In the stands, supporters wave a sign: “we traveled 1,456 miles
(2,340 km)
to see Wemby”.
In the last seconds, everyone stands up and knights their king.
A few “MVPs, MVPs” stand out.
Victor Wembanyama raises his arms high as if he hadn't had enough, before shaking his badge.
"I missed that shit"
, less vulgar in English than in its French version
, he blurted into the speaker's microphone, in the middle of the floor, once the meeting was over. .
“There are more than 16,000 people here that I love,” he addresses the audience, before making them sing the anthem “Go, Spurs, Go!”
".
David Robinson, at the edge of the floor, waited until the end of the show to leave the arena.
24 years ago, he already won the rookie of the year title with Spurs.