Gregg Popovich Praises Victor Wembanyama's 'Priorities' Before San Antonio Spurs Season Opener

Gregg Popovich has been through opening night before, but Victor Wembanyama brings a skillset to the table that the San Antonio Spurs--and the NBA--have never seen before.

As Gregg Popovich gets ready for his 28th season with the San Antonio Spurs, there is something different in the air. A smile? Some excitement for the media to fixate on? He seems to be a man at peace. He isn’t chasing any records; there aren’t many left for him to break, he’s just a man who loves his job. And that’s a rare thing.

Getting ready for his 28th season debut, it would seem that his experience would take away some of the nerves that come with a new season. Despite his familiarity with the NBA and the start of the season, there is always some anxiety that comes with tip-off.

“You get butterflies in your stomach,” Popovich said on Monday. “You get a little bit nervous, you’re excited. We’re all very competitive, and so it begins again, like a routine. So in that sense, it feels the same. Every team is a little bit different, and this one is for a variety of reasons. It’s an exciting time.”

Gregg Popovich is the longest-tenured coach in the NBA / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

This team is certainly different. Once again, the Spurs are led by a generational power forward, but unlike the Tim Duncan years, they are not expected to compete. At least, not right away. The Spurs are building for long-term success, and the start of the season later tonight is just the first step.

Popovich is right about one thing: every team is different. No team has ever had a player like Victor Wembanyama before, and Popovich is relishing the chance to introduce the league to Wemby.

That aside, he is not concerned about any nervousness from his young star.

“Victor, he’s been through this. There’s been a lot of hype around him for a long time and he doesn’t let it affect him. He’s very mature, he’s very emotionally strong, his priorities are in order, he’s very professional already, so he’ll just come to play,” Pop explained. “We’re looking forward to watching Victor in his first real NBA game.”

What his first game will look like, no one can be sure of. If the preseason is any indication, fans will see things they have never seen before and performances like that won’t be limited to opening night.