Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was overcome with gratitude after getting to play two games in Paris, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. San Antonio split the series with Indiana, losing big on Saturday after a convincing win on Thursday, but the overall experience outshined the results for the 21-year-old French native.
“I just want to underline that this week was amazing,” Wembanyama said as he fought back tears during a post-game session with the media. “Everybody did their job to make this week incredible. All of this contributes to making our sport better and making me happy.”
Wembanyama did his best to entertain the French fans, posting 20 points and 12 rebounds today after racking up 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and five blocks on Thursday. He also got to share some tourist sites in Paris with his teammates. It may be a while before it happens again, as Vardon hears from league sources that the NBA is considering other cities for its European games next season.
“I’m sure at some point he’ll look back on this and realize what a treat it was,” Chris Paul said. “We wish we could have won both games for him, but you guys are going to be lucky for a long time to be able to follow Vic. So you guys make sure you not only take care of him, but treasure him.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Memphis has been mentioned as the one city that Heat forward Jimmy Butler doesn’t want to get traded to, but Grizzlies players don’t feel slighted if that’s true, according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. The players who talked to Cole said they enjoy playing in Memphis, even if outsiders don’t understand why. “I guess the city isn’t like Miami or nothing or isn’t like Phoenix or isn’t like a big city that free agents want to go to,” Brandon Clarke said. “I completely get that. That’s just up to them. I obviously don’t really understand it because this is all I know. I like it here. I love it here.”
- Cam Whitmore has become a productive scorer off the Rockets‘ bench, but he had to fix his defensive issues before getting regular playing time, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Coach Ime Udoka said Whitmore has improved his “awareness” and “recognition” in his second NBA season, and Whitmore agrees. “I just had to be locked in for real,” Whitmore said. “Sometimes I’m in la-la land a little bit, but that’s just on me. I owe it all to my (lack of) effort and laziness, but effort is free. It’s just something I had to do, dial in on it a little bit more and try to get on the floor with that.”
- Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray will undergo X-rays on his right hand after missing tonight’s game with a sprained index finger, tweets Andrew Lopez of Pelicans.com.
Cam W would be nice player to pick up for Knicks. He can grow as Knicks sixth man. Rockets have Eason and Thompson. But I can see Rockets keeping him. Still adjusting.
Mitch and Kolek >>>> for Adams and Whitmore.
That’s far too low an offer Rockets hang up. Cam is scoring 10+ppg off the bench is getting better by the day and is still only 20. Adams is getting back to his old self and has become very valuable to the rockets and has higher value than Mitch alone.
I do think Rockets will need to trim their roster with 8 players scoring 10+ per game and Smith, Eason, Thompson and Cam all looking to get paid over the next two summers. But with the young talent and good number of picks it’ll likely be a move for an allNBA player in the summer under 29, who can offer more for a player who wants out? Otherwise, it’s just a bloated roster of high ceiling talent, even reed shepherd can’t get any game time and the kid is too talented to get no mins.
Mitch alone is worth Cam. Especially to Rockets. Just need him healthy. Adams doesn’t even play. Kolek is a future starter. Makes Rockets deeper and on their time line. Kolek is MVP of G-league . Uuuh. I think they just called back.
Thompson is going to be a star. Whitmore won’t get enough mins. Getting value now isn’t a bad idea. Plus they are getting young vets. You really need to watch Kolek.
I think that’s a little bias your side, maybe even a little mine too. I respect what you’re saying but no, I like Mitch he’s a good 5. But his value is a 1st at best!(and that’s after a good stint on the court) he Has talent, is a very good defender, but is never healthy. Just like Williams III. Both are good but injury risks and never healthy when it matters. Adams has played a lot this season and has been important to a lot of Houston’s wins. He has value to them which is why I don’t believe the rumours of RWilliams trade talk.
Mitch is not worth Cam, they’ll get a lot more elsewhere. Is cam worth more than a 1st, I can’t see how he isn’t, he’s too young to be seen otherwise. He’s scoring, defending better and again is younger than a lot of rookies. More importantly he improves the team, a center who’s never healthy does not. And a GLeague star means nothing, Trevelling Queen was a an MVP he play for Rox and sucked, it means nothing. I watched Reed drop 50pts the other week averaged like 35ppg. And still can’t get into the rotation. The roster is 100% bloated with young talent, but that’s not worth the value in return.
Thompson will be a starter now at the 3/4, Smith Jr will get traded, Eason will replace brooks and Whitmore will be 6 man, I don’t see a scenario your idea gets done. Stone won’t make a trade that won’t improve the team….and hang up.
Ever since Murray signed his big contract. His career has gone sideways. He’s a guy the Warriors should be looking at. Even the TWolves, Lakers, Suns.