“He’s probably the worst Victor Wembayama you’ll see”: Strong phrases of the basketball year

“I've been able to do some incredible things and I hope I can achieve more before I'm done.” Signed LeBron James, after setting the NBA points record last January. The “King” had just erased Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and was planning for the future. “It is a pleasure, an honor to have, during these 20 years of career, been able to go through ups and downs, trials and to have always remained at the top. I did it my way. I didn’t want to imitate anyone,” he said again, he who for a time left doubts about a possible retirement last summer before… going back for a spin and winning the NBA Cup with the Lakers.

"It's good. The job is done and we can go home now. You shouldn't have expected anything else. Nikola Jokic's priority is not basketball. It never was. This does not mean that the Serbian pivot from Denver is not one of the best players of the moment, or even the best. He thus guided the Nuggets to the coronation last June, pocketing the title of MVP of the Finals in the process. Not enough to make him depart from his usual detachment. “We win for the teammate who is next to us. That’s why this success means so much. We believe in each of us,” underlined Jokic, symbol of Denver’s philosophy.

“I want to win a (championship) ring as quickly as possible. Be ready (smile)!”, laughed Victor Wembanyama before joining the NBA. The Frenchman quickly understood that he was going to have to be patient... Spurs are not about to aim for the title. “I learn more in San Antonio than anywhere else in the past,” he swears, who says he is “addicted to winning, that’s what I live for.” In the meantime, we must learn. Learning the hard way. “He's probably the worst Victor you'll see,” he said recently, promising constant progression throughout his career. When we see what the “worst” Victor gives, we say to ourselves that the sky is the limit.

Also read “Winning is what I’m addicted to”: joy and relief for Wembanyama and Spurs

Kings of France, the Monegasques were not so far from being kings of France on the European scene. Semi-finalists of the Euroleague, they crushed Olympiakos throughout the first period, going it alone. Before taking the broth in the third quarter. “Such a blackout almost never happens at this level,” complained Sasa Obradovic after the meeting. The Roca Team suffered a terrible 27-2 in the third quarter. “Before the match I said it shouldn't be so painful if we lost because we came here with less experience in this kind of match. But there is still bitterness after dominating and playing great basketball in the first period,” added the Serbian technician. Its players found the resources to win against Barça and climb to the third step of the podium. Exceptional performance. With a touch of regret all the same.

Before seeing LeBron James overtake Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's top scorer, Nando De Colo had become the top scorer in the history of European Cups. Amélie Oudéa-Castéra nevertheless greeted the American before the Frenchman. Which only moderately pleased the latter… “With all my respect Madam Minister, it is a shame to wait for a foreign record to congratulate your own athletes. But thank you all the same,” wrote the Asvel player after the congratulations of the said Amélie Oudéa-Castéra to the two players, on social networks.

Joel Embiid in Blue? It's no. The Cameroonian flirted with France for a long time before saying yes to the United States. Enough to give rise to a feeling of bitterness in the French ranks, starting with the president of the French Basketball Federation (FFBB), Jean-Pierre Siutat. “We never went looking for him. He considered playing for the French team. At his request, steps were taken to give him nationality. We have never been a asker. Behind, I am disappointed that we spent so much time and put so much energy on a file that should never have been initiated. For me, it’s a subject that is behind us, we’re moving on to something else,” said the French leader.

Also read “A file that should never have been initiated”: the Embiid case leaves a bitter taste at the FFBB

After the defeat synonymous with elimination against Latvia, during the World Cup, Nicolas Batum had emptied his bag on beIN SPORTS: “Everyone must question themselves, players, coach, federation… We could be world champion ! We players messed up, of course. But there is a big questioning of a lot of people (to be done)... I have one year left with this team. We need everyone in Paris. We need the best conditions, from everyone. I don't give a damn about what's political or whatever. We need the best French team possible. I messed up my last World Cup, and it really pisses me off.” The words of the captain of the Blues on “what is political” caused a stir. Since then, “Batman” has repeatedly assured that he was not talking specifically about the political decision to deprive players playing in Russia of selection, like Thomas Heurtel. One thing is certain: the questioning will have to be great before the Olympics. Heurtel's potential return wouldn't change all at once, that's obvious.

When LeBron James takes the time to praise your performance, that's something. In this case, the “King” marveled at the prowess of Frenchwoman Marine Johannes during the WNBA finals. “It’s not an arm, it’s a cannon,” enthused the four-time NBA champion on X, ex-Twitter. His one-legged shot got me out of my seat.” Johannes and the New York Liberty ultimately lost. But the Blue scored points.

“I never thought someone like me could experience such an adventure.” And what an adventure... Four NBA championship titles, six times All Star, MVP of the 2007 Finals, Tony Parker wrote his name in gold letters on the other side of the Atlantic. A career rewarded with an induction into the Hall of Fame. “For all the children watching us, keep dreaming big!”, declared “TP”. And added: “When I was in France, people told me that I was too small, too skinny, that I would never make it. Well, it’s me who’s laughing now.” He can. And rather twice than once...

“There is no longer a basketball hall, everything has gone up in smoke”: president of the Gravelines-Dunkerque club, Christian Devos has only his eyes left to cry after seeing “40 years of life in Sportica gone smoke". The flames actually took away the BCM room. Terrible for the club and the city. But it could have been worse, as Mr. Devos noted to AFP: “If we had been in a period of high attendance at the swimming pool or if there had been training in the basketball hall, it would have been catastrophic".

“All of us, at our levels, can really do better, coach included.” The tackle is severe. It is delivered by Sandrine Gruda at the microphone of beIN Sports, after the victory of the Bleues in the match for third place at the Euro. Bonze not happy for Jean-Aimé Toupane's players, who were only aiming for gold. Asked if the message between the coach and the players was going well, Gruda replied: “Maybe I could answer it off the record. I don't want to point the finger at anyone. When we lose, we all lose together. It's true that all of us, at our levels, can really do better, coach included. That’s just what I can say.” Toupane arrived at the head of the France team in the fall of 2021, replacing Valérie Garnier.