On Saturday afternoon, Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs got just a small taste of what it’s really like.
What the sights and sounds are really like.
What the intensity and pressure are really like.
But only a taste.
That was a young team getting a preview of playoff-esque basketball. The Spurs did relatively well even though they ultimately lost a thrilling overtime game.
With the playoff race heating up and the regular season coming to a close, it is almost time for the real season to begin for San Antonio and several others.
GettyMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 06: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Saturday’s loss means Spurs fans will have to wait a little longer for the team to capture win No. 60, something that the franchise hasn’t achieved in nearly a decade.
San Antonio was close but ultimately fell thanks to an enormously clutch display by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. However, there is plenty for the West’s No. 2 seed to take from this game. Heck, experience.
Spurs have decided to place increased load on Victor Wembanyama
If there is one thing that arguably degraded Wembanyama’s MVP case, it’s that he has played fewer than 30 minutes per game. Yes, the voters often vote for those who are committing a heavy minute load every night.
The Spurs, however, are more interested in managing the big man’s minutes because, well, history screams that they absolutely have to.
In NBA history, there are many examples of freakishly tall players like Wembanyama. While arguably none of them possessed the God-given ability of the Spurs star, what’s true is that almost none of them were able to avoid injury trouble.
San Antonio has hit the jackpot this season in terms of figuring out how many minutes are suitable for Wembanyama. The 22-year-old Spurs star is averaging 29.4 minutes per game and has appeared in many more games this season than he did the last.
But here’s the kicker: the Spurs have a postseason to play, which means a new challenge … learning how to best manage Wembanyama over a grueling playoff run.
Is coach Mitch Johnson aiming to continue doing what has been all season, which is to play Wembanyama roughly 29 minutes per game?
“Yes,” Johnson expressed when asked if he intends to play Wembanyama more minutes in the playoffs, according to San Antonio Express-News.
Wembanyama, meanwhile, spoke just like everyone has come to know him.
“I’m ready for anything,” said Mr. Alien.
The big games are almost here
Saturday’s contest was a battle between two teams shouldering massive expectations over the next several weeks.
Both teams came in hot; the Spurs were riding an 11-game winning streak while the Nuggets ripped off seven in a row. In the end, it boiled down to a pair of giants playing tug-of-war. The experienced giant triumphed. The juvenile child watched and learned.
While San Antonio technically remains hot on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s heels for the No. 1 seed in the West (and the NBA), the loss to Denver likely makes the path much harder.
Oklahoma City is at home tonight against the lottery-destined Utah Jazz. Like the Spurs were getting easy-peasy games recently, the Thunder finally get one, too.
But it is all about controlling the controllables.
Wembanyama will have the entire world’s eyes on him as he tries to do something virtually no star player ever has: lead his team to the title at 22 years old while being the lone All-Star.
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