Even if you happen to haven’t seen The Karate Child, you realize that scene. The one the place Daniel, with a white hachimaki pulled tightly round his noggin, complains concerning the menial chores handed right down to him by Mr. Miyagi. Fence portray? Deck sanding? The place’s the karate?
In fact, then we see that every of Daniel’s duties has ready him to take down Cobra Kai (till the latter’s renaissance almost 40 years later). It’s a second that’s been recreated again and again, so even if you happen to haven’t seen the 1984 hit, you’re little question acquainted with the trope. On the conclusion of the a-ha second, Mr. Miyagi enjoins a wide-eyed Daniel to “Come again tomorrow.”
Now, what does a scrawny, undersized Italian-American youth must do with the San Antonio Spurs’ seven-foot-three French basketball phenom? Possibly not a lot, except for each of them being teenagers with a steadfast need for entry to “extra data,” one thing Victor Wembanyama requested of coaches a number of occasions since coaching camp began.
In different phrases, Wemby needs to do greater than paint fences. He needs to see all the Spurs playbook, bow on the foot of the Ark, climb Mt. Everest, and so forth.
However Gregg Popovich, who’s sporting his personal Miyagi-esque white facial hair today, and the coaches have been fast to pump the brakes. “They maintain telling me to not fear. It’s going to come back naturally,” Wembanyama defined.
His need to dash earlier than he crawls is one other in a continually-growing string of tantalizing indicators for the Spurs. It’s a glimpse into the internal workings of his thoughts. He needs to drink the ocean. He’s a fanatic, which, in response to two-time MVP and reigning Finals champ Nikola Jokic, is the very essence of success:
“If you wish to be good, it’s essential be a fanatic in basketball; that must be your life,” Jokic instructed Zeljko Obradovic, a nine-time EuroLeague champion.
However Wembanyama’s need to study isn’t so extreme that it’s abrasive.
Whereas Daniel LaRusso barges in on Mr. Miyagi and calls for solutions, Victor-san trusts in his mentors. He even chuckles that he has extra time for naps now that he’s surrounded by a battalion of trainers and staffers. “Final yr … I had to verify the ground was clear earlier than follow,” he jokes, relieved that the one position he’s anticipated to meet on San Antonio is that of participant.
And albeit, such a cool demeanor is refreshing.
In an period the place gamers are quasi-GMs, test themselves out and in of video games, and use their index fingers to direct trades as a lot because the half-court offense, it’s refreshing to see a participant in a position to enable the staff to information his improvement.
The Spurs, for his or her half, are sensible to have the teachings come good and simple. What’s the frenzy?
The place there’s a plan, every lesson builds. When every lesson builds, it’s unattainable to skip steps. On one hand, Wemby has each proper to desire a fast-track to the “Spurs Means” – he’s probably the most hyped Frenchman since Napoleon Bonaparte, enjoying for a staff that’s accomplished its personal Reign of Terror. On the opposite, he’s a young person coming into probably the most difficult basketball league on this planet.
Earlier than he is aware of it, Wembanyama will likely be referred to as on to assist the coaches make mid-game changes. Your entire playbook will open up, and the belief will likely be within the participant’s fingers. However, crucially, that solely comes on the finish of the pure development.
As for when a participant is handed the keys to the fort, it comes down to 1 particular person.
“I have to stress that the coach finally decides,” Obradovic concluded within the interview with Jokic.
I referenced this interview on the @DNVR_Nuggets podcast at this time.
Jokic stunned Obradovic (Phil Jackson of Euroleague) when he instructed him that he watched his seminar.
He additionally identified a element in one among Obradovic’s video games and instructed an adjustment that Obradović has since… pic.twitter.com/grm8GWixeA
— Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) September 19, 2023
The Spurs are at the moment within the infancy levels of its personal Miyagi-Daniel LaRusso-inspired journey. However it takes two – the fiery athlete and sage mentor – to drag it off. Fortunately, it appears to be like like Spurs have exactly the components to make it occur.
Oh, and don’t mistake Wembanyama’s calmness for apathy. He’s asking for extra of the Spurs’ playbook for a purpose. He’s ravenous to realize his potential and, in all chance, will stay ravenous till the day he retires.
Put one other means, Wemby will come again tomorrow.
