Our San Antonio Spurs flew near the solar, basking within the glory of a 40-point opening quarter, however the wax and feather wings quickly wore off. However let’s deal with the positives. I noticed the 40-14 first quarter lead and thought, “Cool. Absolutely we will proverbially and actually kick our legs up, calm down, after which I can consider witty issues to jot down for all the incredible highlights to choose from.” Alas, it was not meant to be, and don’t name us Shirley.
However for the positives: the younger Spurs supplied some gems in a recreation the place Victor Wembanyama led all gamers with 24 factors, pulled down 13 boards, and swatted an eye-popping 9 pictures. Chris Paul, as he tends to do, dipped as soon as once more into the fountain of youth and confirmed off his ground imaginative and prescient and basketball IQ. He additionally put up a double-double with 14 factors and 10 assists. Julian Champagnie was capable of rating a season-high 21 factors to assist tempo the nice guys.
The footwork of Wembanyama continues to impress me most. Right here, he surgically operates round two defenders to deftly discover Jeremy Sochan for the flush. Sochan was on his approach to one other quick begin earlier than leaving with an harm. These Spurs aren’t absolutely operational but so hopefully they get Sochan and Devin Vassell again ahead of later (and Coach Popovich as nicely!)
Stephon Fortress confirmed off some strikes down low as he pump faked his manner for a straightforward bucket. Whereas the rookie will definitely enhance because the season wears on, it’s good seeing a diverse and considerably mature offensive recreation from the previous Husky.
Right here, Wembanyama did his finest Mr. Incredible impression and smacked the ball to Julian Champagnie, who well gave it to Chris Paul, who navigated down the courtroom to arrange the transition bucket to none apart from Wembanyama, who got here barreling in on the final second like he was Sting taking up 40 members of the nWo.
Chris Paul transplanted his lob metropolis vibes to the Spurs with this lovely feed to Wembanyama for the one-handed flush. Talking of which, when does the sophomore Spur get his personal automobile sponsorship like Mr. Paul’s former lob associate, Blake Griffin? I’m pondering one thing alongside the traces of an electrical collapsible stretch SUV for folks with or with out youngsters who want flexibility and do not need a lot storage house. It might look like some nonsensical design concocted from the top of Homer Simpson, and it could not appear possible from an engineering standpoint, however hey I’m simply right here to jot down about our favourite crew not be the subsequent Preston Tucker.
The angle, the imaginative and prescient, the dime. Perfection. I simply love a great bounce go, and CP3 delivered a bee-au-tee-full richochet to Wembanyama for the dunk. After a slow-ish begin, Paul is now on a 3-game double-digit help streak and sitting at 8.7 assists per recreation, slightly below his profession common of 9.3.
I feel it’s secure to say that quantity will go up as he and Wembanyama and the remainder of the crew get extra comfy collectively than they already appear to be up to now.
With the faux and the authority, Wembanyama despatched this jam dwelling. He acquired up so excessive (and he’s simply so tall) that he’s virtually eye stage to the rim earlier than thundering the ball by.
Lots of warts on this recreation got here with some tough carbon that can finally be formed into diamond. Wembanyama, for his half, has had a gradual and inconsistent begin to the season, nevertheless it does appear to be he’ll be snapping into rhythm ahead of later in comparison with his rookie season.
In the event you missed the sport since you had been too busy making an idea of a plan to go vote (go train that constitutional proper!), listed below are the full-game highlights:
Subsequent up, the Spurs head straight to Houston to tackle the Rockets on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
