Saturday’s “Meet the Rookies” news conference in San Antonio was more like a party than a routine press event, writes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. Roughly a hundred Spurs staff members joined some current players and a few franchise legends to get a glimpse of Victor Wembanyama, who was making his first official public appearance in the city.
“We have never seen anything like him before,” Manu Ginoblili said, “but we have to see how it all translates.”
Wembanyama joined Ginobili, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Sean Elliott and coach Gregg Popovich for an exclusive dinner Friday night. That came a few hours after the French big man was welcomed at the airport by thousands of Spurs fans who are counting on him to lead the team back to title contention.
“The last 72 hours have been tiring, but I’m really enjoying the moment,” Wembanyama told reporters today. “I’ve been welcomed warmly. It’s just really comfortable.”
There’s more from San Antonio:
- Second-round pick Sidy Cissoko also spoke at the press conference and said he can help the Spurs no matter how they decide to use him, per Tom Orsborn of The Express-News. The 19-year-old Frenchman played against Wembanyama while growing up before spending this season with the G League Ignite. “I can do kind of everything on the court and be as versatile as I can to help the team win,” Cissoko said. “If they want me to play the four, I can play the four. If they want me to play the one, I can play the one. Each position comes to me. Just anything to help us win in the end.”
- Before selecting Cissoko, the Spurs made a trade with the Timberwolves, moving down from the 33rd pick to No. 44, Orsborn notes in a separate story. San Antonio took Leonard Miller for Minnesota and picked up two future second-round picks. “When the deal came about where we could move 33 for two picks out in the future, we thought that was a good opportunity for us,” general manager Brian Wright said. “… We were ecstatic (Cissoko) was there. He was someone we were considering if we had stayed at 33, so to get him at 44, we thought that was great.”
- In the same piece, Popovich reflects on the good fortune that has allowed him to coach another overall No. 1 pick after winning multiple titles with Robinson and Duncan. “Certainly there is enough that’s happened in this organization that makes one wonder why we’ve been the recipients of so much serendipity for sure,” he said. “Of course, there’s no answer to that. I would just relate to you that we’ve mentioned many times in the past couple of decades and a half, I guess, when things weren’t going well and somebody showed some sympathy and empathy. We would just laugh and go, ‘Why? Why do we deserve that?’”
Hey, Pop. You worked hard to tank…and the (draft choice) balls fell your way! Enjoy.
Not really. They almost blew it over their last 20ish games by performing too well. They didn’t tank hard enough, just got lucky.
Wemby is already hitting the breakfast tacos. He’ll fit in just fine.
He better not go Zion on those breakfast tacos or he will Wembaloon into the next Oliver Miller.
I would have kept Miller …..
Wemby needs pounds … 210 LBs will not cut it. Don’t expect him to be ROY. It will take a few yrs.
He can play PF just fine in this league…
Centre he’d struggle… But there’s only a few teams that could trot 2 bigs out there to cause him issues…
PF ……. You think this is France. There’s a reason he’s called a generational big.
When will we learn this gm …..
Wemby rocks that Spurs uni.
They’re putting way to much expectations on this kid. He needs to get on that strength program ASAP!
If Wembanyama doesn’t at least average a quadruple triple of 165 PPG/140 RPG/130 AST/ 110 STL for his career and fails to win less than 16 NBA championships single-handedly, he’ll be considered a bust.
he can’t pass to himself. that’s silly.
Well not with that attitude.
Passes off the backboard that lead to earth shattering dunks should also be an assist for the player.
Make a trade for a young SF and PG. I like Keldon Johnson but give him a chance like you did to Murray. Trade keldon Johnson, Graham, Branham and Bassey for a young SF and PG. Re-sign Tre Jones, Langford, dieng, Vassel and Champaign Get the players now. Do a full rebuild.
Maybe make trade for his friend and then find a PG
Maybe they should give Luka another chance