Occasions could also be robust on the court docket proper now, however one factor that has by no means been doubtful about this Spurs staff from day one is that they see one another as household. That was placed on even additional show after Wednesday’s loss to the Knicks, when rookie Victor Wembanyama was operating late to get to the staff bus whereas saying goodbye to his mom. If one participant retains everybody ready, he will get in bother, so a number of of his teammates banded collectively to attend for him and never put him on the spot, as detailed in a superb piece by Mike Finger of the San Antonio Specific Information:
Late final night time inside Madison Sq. Backyard, Victor Wembanyama’s teammates determined to not go away him behind. It was a small however telling present of solidarity, and it helped clarify why the Spurs don’t fret these blowouts will break them.
Column: pic.twitter.com/z19L4anDsK
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) November 9, 2023
The staff airplane, fueled and prepared on the airport, waited for the staff bus. The staff bus, engine idling exterior Madison Sq. Backyard, waited for its ultimate passengers. It was late, and getting later, and the final individual on the bus was going to be in bother,
Even when the final individual was a 7-foot-3 worldwide sensation.
However provided that he was alone.
If seven guys have been final, collectively? Properly, the way in which Devin Vassell figured it, the person in cost couldn’t yell in any respect of them. Like they are saying, security in numbers.
So proper there within the hallway by the locker room, Vassell and Keldon Johnson formulated a plan. Jeremy Sochan, Zach Collins, Tre Jones and Charles Bassey all nodded in settlement. On this night time, which was already painful sufficient, the child was not going to be final.
Not by himself, anyway.
“We don’t need him to be the one one nonetheless right here,” Johnson mentioned, watching Victor Wembanyama. “He’s saying goodbye to his mother.”
The Spurs, and particularly Wemby, are presently in a tough patch they shortly hope to navigate out of, however they will’t do it with out one another. Whereas on the court docket, this staff continues to be very younger with loads of work to do, you additionally don’t get there with out staff chemistry and comradery, and these Spurs have it in spades. They care about one another like a household, and I think about they might have carried out this for anybody, not simply the participant they hope will cause them to the promised land.
It’s a heartwarming story, and in a manner it jogs my memory of the Tim Duncan period, when the stalwart of the staff at all times had his teammates backs, and certain vice versa. I think about that the whole lot the Spurs do for Wemby now will solely add to his already spectacular degree of maturity and management and will likely be returned someday. Whereas watching the errors pile up on the court docket may be arduous for followers, simply keep in mind they’re working arduous behind the scenes to construct one thing particular, and all of it begins with moments like this.
