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

"We are back". Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs and the Frost Bank Center have been waiting for this for a month and a half. November 2 to be precise, the date of the last success, in Phoenix, the third of the season. San Antonio in fact dominated LeBron James' Lakers (129-115) on Friday at home. The end of a series of 18 consecutive losses, the longest in the history of the Texan franchise. To be honest, it should be noted that LA was without three starters (Davis, Reddish, Russell) and was playing a third game in four days. But after such a series, it was time for joy for the “Silver and Black”, like “Wemby” who did not shy away from his pleasure and celebrated with the fans after the final whistle. "It feels good. It felt like a playoff game to me. We love this feeling. We want it to repeat itself, so we have to continue to work hard,” said the Frenchman, author of 13 points on 5/13 shooting, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 interceptions and 2 blocks.

Note that the number 1 of the 2023 Draft, 20 years after that of “LBJ”, was once again aligned as a pivot, as for several matches. “It changes a lot of things, the rotations. I would say that we were better in certain aspects of the game. But the important thing is that we learn to play with each other. We will be good one way or another,” he said, singing the praises of San Antonio’s defense in this match.

“Defensively, we raised our voice this evening (Friday), we remained focused,” he said. And to continue, evoking Jeremy Sochan's work on LeBron James: “Defense is what we did best. Beyond Devin Vassell's 36 points, I was so happy to see us force them to take bad shots, cause turnovers... Jeremy put crazy pressure on their best player. He has a key role in our rotations. I'm happy that he has the opportunity to show his qualities like that. “Wemby” also praised his team’s ability to adapt to the Lakers’ zone and his team’s solid third quarter. Which represents a real change: “For once, we had a normal third quarter... I'm happy. Tonight was the evening when everyone was connected, focused, we shared a dinner together yesterday (Thursday) to strengthen ties.”

Beyond the manner, the absences on the L.A. side, his clumsiness, Wembanyama in any case did not hide his relief. And for good reason, such a series of defeats inevitably weighs on us… “It’s logical. If you lose three, four, five matches, there is a weight,” notes Gregg Popovich. So 18... “I obviously would have liked the series of defeats to end before then, but it shows our character. We never lowered our heads, we never gave up. I'm sure there will be many more victories this season and in the future. I like this. The easiest thing would have been to give up. But no one did it. I’m delighted that we have this group,” he said. And continued: “It’s not that I had forgotten this feeling but and I know that we will still lose matches, but you have to appreciate these moments. Winning is what I'm addicted to. This is what I love, what I live for. I have to show it.”

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In the meantime, we must not forget that Wembanyama, as talented as he is, is only 19 years old. And everything to learn. He's at a good school. “I think I learn more here than almost anywhere else in the past. Frankly, it's the life I've always dreamed of but there's nothing taken for granted. The conditions we are in are perfect. I can't wait to see the future, to win, to see our team develop. I’m sure the future will be good,” he salivates. The near future is Sunday, at 9:30 p.m. French time, against New Orleans. A match during which the Spurs will pay tribute to Tony Parker, a few months after his induction into the Hall of Fame.