I’ve been so busy the final couple of weeks that (in an especially uncommon incidence), I wasn’t capable of watch the Spurs-Kings sport dwell on Tuesday and could also be prone to lacking tonight’s sport. At present, if I’m not at work, you could find me serving to my sister put together for the grand opening of her new enterprise this weekend, as a result of household comes first. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply I haven’t been on social media or the web, and I’ve gotten increasingly irritated with what I’ve been seeing. In consequence, I couldn’t maintain it in anymore and had to make use of a uncommon little bit of spare time to share my ideas on some sizzling takes I’ve been seeing.
Victor Wembanyama isn’t harm inclined
The primary two-plus seasons of what is going to hopefully be a historic profession that launches Wemby to the top of NBA greatness haven’t gone completely as hoped. He’s solely performed in about 72.5% of Spurs video games (129 of 178), which can be greater than some individuals assume however remains to be beneath the equal of the 65-game threshold for an 82-game season, which is about 80%.
Now, he’s set to overlook at the least two weeks with two of probably the most dreaded phrases in sports activities proper now: calf pressure. The harm itself isn’t critical — Wemby is reportedly not in any discomfort — however proof is piling up suggesting if not correctly healed, calf strains can result in far more devastating accidents, comparable to a ruptured Achilles. In consequence, an harm that used to perhaps value a participant a sport or two based mostly on consolation degree is now being handled with an abundance of warning.
This information has led to extreme overreaction from each followers and the media, saying that Wemby is harm inclined which can maintain him again from reaching his true potential. (Heck, Vegas has already determined he received’t attain the 65-game threshold and shifted the Defensive Participant of the 12 months odds in favor of Chet Holmgren, who missed his whole rookie season, performed all 82 video games in his “second” rookie season, after which solely performed in 32 video games final season. Is that not harm inclined?) To me, it’s approach too early to make that assumption, particularly when you think about the context.
Beginning with the calf pressure, past the truth that Wemby is much from the one star coping with this harm, and it’s trying increasingly just like the league has a tempo/scheduling drawback, there may be compelling proof that Wemby’s physique isn’t betraying him. A video goes round from the Spurs loss to the Warriors final Friday exhibiting a inclined Brandon Podziemski swinging his leg into Wemby’s, forcing him to fall awkwardly.
After all, nobody has mentioned that is what triggered his calf pressure, and I’m not right here to name Podz a grimy participant (though it’s onerous to give you any reliable motive for that transfer), but when that is the trigger, then that defangs the argument that this harm proves Wemby is harm inclined.
Going even additional again, he performed in 71 video games his rookie season, so he met the 65-game threshold, and a lot of the missed video games have been because of a cussed ankle sprain that he tried enjoying by means of, just for it to be exacerbated by touchdown on a Mavs ball boy who was standing beneath the basket throughout shootaround. That was when the Spurs determined to close him down and let it heal, however what athlete hasn’t delt with a cussed ankle in some unspecified time in the future of their profession? I do know of 1 who nonetheless grew to become a legend: Manu Ginobili, who was restricted early in his rookie 12 months by an offseason ankle sprain, and missed most of two separate seasons recovering from ankle surgical procedure (2008-09 left, 2009-10 proper).
Lastly, taking a look at Wemby’s second season, he performed in 41 of the primary 46 video games and was on monitor to win Defensive Participant of the 12 months earlier than he was identified with deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot) in his shoulder through the All-Star break. That isn’t an harm, however a freak incidence that may and has occurred to a number of gamers in recent times, together with Brandon Ingram, Damian Lillard and Ausar Thompson. It was not decided to be the results of a blood dysfunction (which sadly was the case for Chris Bosh, ending his profession prematurely), so there may be nothing pointing to it being a recurring drawback.
Once more, there simply isn’t any proof thus far to assist the concept Wemby is harm inclined, however quite simply unfortunate thus far. That is solely the second true “harm” of his profession, it’s a typical one throughout the NBA panorama, and at this level, there isn’t any proof it’s dangerous sufficient that he received’t attain 65 video games. If accidents preserve occurring for Wemby, then we will begin worrying, however that point isn’t now.
De’Aaron Fox’s extension was not a remorse
There have been horrible takes about Fox from all ends of the spectrum — from “Spurs followers don’t respect him” coming from Kings followers (I needed to unfollow FoxMuse on X as a result of due to his continued slamming of different Spurs and coaches mixed with overprotection of Fox), to Spurs followers admittedly overreacting to his errors as he eases his approach again right into a rhythm following an offseason hamstring harm. (I’ll admit I didn’t maintain again from criticizing his shot choice on the finish of that very same Warriors sport final week, however no participant needs to be proof against criticism.)
That being mentioned, the worst Fox take of the week needed to come from Bleacher Report (no surprises there), which in its listify-everything format wrote about each crew’s largest offseason remorse. I suppose contemplating the Spurs had a fairly good offseason, the pickings have been slim, however they went with giving Fox a most extension. Right here’s what they needed to say about it.
When the Spurs made a deadline deal for Fox final season, it felt like a very good trial run to gauge the affect of getting a second star alongside Victor Wembanyama.
With Fox being each a one-time All-Star and extension-eligible this summer time, the commerce value was cheap sufficient that San Antonio didn’t must money in its greatest belongings.
The Spurs barely noticed the 2 collectively, since Wembanyama was sidelined shortly thereafter by deep vein thrombosis. San Antonio additionally beefed-up an already sturdy level guard group by including No. 2 decide Dylan Harper to go together with Fox and reigning Rookie of the 12 months Stephon Citadel.
And but, the Spurs nonetheless felt compelled to present Fox a four-year, $229 million max extension in August. That’s an terrible lot of cash for a soon-to-be 28-year-old with one All-Star choice on his resume and an inconsistent jumper that could possibly be extra problematic as soon as the ageing course of begins chopping into his bodily presents.
It additionally simply felt pointless when, once more, San Antonio already had youthful, cheaper options in Harper and Citadel in case the Fox-Wembanyama combo was something aside from ideally suited.
That is undoubtedly a attain. Initially, if the early returns this season are any indication, Citadel isn’t a degree guard, at the least not but. He was extraordinarily turnover inclined when he was operating the offense to the beginning the season however has exploded as a secondary playmaker since Fox returned. I like Citadel extra as a capturing guard than level guard.
Harper could find yourself being one other story, however the pattern measurement is approach too small, and even when he does find yourself higher than Fox, his rookie contract extension received’t kick in till the ultimate 12 months of Fox’s contract. If they should make a transfer then, they’ll.
Within the meantime, the Spurs confirmed they’re completed messing round and are able to contend as an alternative of “losing any extra of Wemby’s profession” as so many have complained about. Rivalry is why they made this transfer, plus it’s not like stars are flocking to San Antonio by way of commerce demand or free company. In the event that they thought they didn’t want Fox after drafting Harper, they wouldn’t have prolonged him, and nothing has occurred between then and now to counsel they’re regretting it.
Now, I’m afraid the crew will remorse not extending Jeremy Sochan, however that’s a subject for one more day.
