Victor Wembanyama was the biggest star in Las Vegas Friday night, but his performance didn’t match the hype leading up to his Summer League debut, writes Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. With NBA legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jerry West watching as part of a sold-out arena, Wembanyama looked more like a 19-year-old adjusting to a new league than a future superstar.
The top pick in this year’s draft scored just nine points while shooting 2-of-13 from the field as the Spurs topped the Hornets. He blocked five shots, showing his potential dominance on defense, but Vorkunov notes that he also had trouble dealing with the physicality of NBA players and was posterized by Charlotte’s Kai Jones.
“Honestly, I didn’t really know what I was doing on the court tonight,” Wembanyama told reporters after the game. “But (I’m) getting ready for the next games. The important thing is to be ready for next season.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Marcus Smart admits being shocked upon learning that he had been traded to the Grizzlies, but he’s looking forward to becoming part of the team’s “Grind City” tradition, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Memphis general manager Zach Kleiman feels fortunate to be able to acquire Smart after the original version of a three-team deal sending Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics fell apart. “We’re looking for someone who can be the lockdown defender, versatile across positions,” Kleiman said. “We’re looking for more playmaking. We’re looking for someone who’s battle-tested at the highest levels of the NBA. (We were able) to find someone — and I don’t think there’s many players in the NBA and I think Marcus is the very best of them — who kind of checks all those boxes. But much more importantly, somebody who also just passes the gut test. Marcus is someone that is just a flat-out winner.”
- The Grizzlies plan to start GG Jackson on a two-way contract, but his Summer League performance suggests he might soon be headed for a standard deal, suggests Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. The second-round pick is averaging 13.7 PPG in his first three games and is coming off a 23-point, 10-rebound outing Thursday night.
- Free agent forward Jermaine Samuels has impressed Rockets officials in practice and could be a candidate for a roster spot or a two-way deal, tweets Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle.
Wemby looked like he went to Jaylen Brown’s ball handling camp.
(yet another) terrible take from (yet another) hater on this site smh. Hold this L.. link to m.youtube.com
Ignoring the cold take on Brown who has good handles.
Wemby did look lost(poss first game jitters). All those fans getting impatient waiting for him and Miller to step out when the real show was Scoot Vs Amen.
Wemby isn’t going to dominate like you think. He got pushed around down low by bigger European players, what you think NBA players gonna do? His defense is not great and tall/long is all he has. First year is not what you think it’s gonna be.
GG Jackson & Kenneth Lofton Jr is a very talented young frontcourt for Memphis. Roddy is gonna be a solid NBA forward for a long time as well. Ziaire Williams & Jake LaRavia are extremely important guys for them tho. If even just 1 of those 2 guys is able to step into that premier wing defender role that Dillon Brooks had for so long in Memphis this is gonna be an extremely potent team for yrs to come
Yep. America is to star struck to see things like we do Sankara.
Give Zhaire Williams those minutes
GG Jackson and Lofton are both really intriguing talents. Jackson falling as far as he did is crazy when you consider he should have been a senior in high school last year. Could be interesting to see how he develops the next couple of years.
Lofton is a high-activity beast. Just a problem to have to deal with on both ends.
Only the modern NBA media could trash a guy after 1 summer league game. Not his first regular season game. Not first preseason game. Summer league. I can’t wait in a few months when a talking heads show like NBA Today has the topic “did people react too soon to Wemby?” as if they don’t create the drama.
7-28FGs between the top 2 picks last night. Long way to go fellas
Watching him I think Wembanyama would have shot better, but his first 3 shots or so you could tell it was his nerves.
I’m not sure what people expect out of summer league. It is a much different environment than the normal NBA. Een just having decent guards like Jones and Graham in the regular season will ease Wemby’s transition.
I do think adding another vet or two would make alot of sense for the spurs just get some more smart players around him
I thought Wembenyamma played well, especially on the defensive end.
He looked on the court exactly how he said, they didn’t really work on any plays, or prepare before the game, just sort of threw him out there, and said go get it.
Probably not the greatest coaching strategy, but this is likely the worst Wembenyama will look.
I thought he looked good for his first game, even though the team hadn’t prepared much. Its what it looked like.
This was expected to be Wembanyama’s first 120 PTS/80 RB/55 AST game.
Guy’s a bust.
Wemby may we’ll be the greatest defensive cheat code ever. Put him on the court with 4 average defensive teammates and an average coaching scheme. Opponents will learn not to drive at all. I noticed even the classic “bull into big man’s chest” technique didn’t work.
It’s Britney btch
Yup it had to happen !!!!!
link to twitter.com
It’s summer league basketball wake me up when it’s regular season.
Naahh
Wasn’t Kevin Knox a legend in this program