Inside The Spurs

Spurs Starter, Thursday, October 10, 2024: Chris Paul Forgets French Taught by Victor Wembanyama

Your daily briefing on what's going on with the San Antonio Spurs, including news, draft & more.

Matt Guzman

Sep 30, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama (1) and Chris Paul (3), shake hands during a photo shoot during the team's Media Day at Victory Capital Performance Center.
Sep 30, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama (1) and Chris Paul (3), shake hands during a photo shoot during the team's Media Day at Victory Capital Performance Center. / Matt Guzman-San Antonio Spurs On SI
In this story:

Happy Thursday, Por Vida fans! Welcome to your afternoon Spurs Starter.

The San Antonio Spurs notched their first win of the preseason against the Orlando Magic Wednesday evening, and while results of those games don't particularly hold much weight, there was plenty on display to look into.

Beyond Stephon Castle's second straight impressive performance, both Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul made their season debuts for the Spurs, giving the basketball world exactly what it was hoping for: a lob connection.

READ MORE: Spurs Beat Magic in Preseason; Wembanyama, Paul Show Early Chemistry

The pair spoke after the game about what's likely to be a one-of-many occurance, which bodes well for their on-court connection. But off the court? It seems they've been working on that, too.

"Oui," Paul said with a laugh when asked if he'd learned any French from Wembanyama. "Yup, yup. Start with that, but ... how do you say 'What's up?'"

The veteran tried to recall what phrase he'd been taught before being reminded of it by a French reporter, to which he seemed to instantly remember: "Ça dit quoi."

"Yeah, that's it. That's it right there," he said. "Dang, he's going to be mad."

Seems that Paul has a long way to go before he's a fluent French speaker, but then again, the duo has a long way to go as well before they fine-tune their connection on the court. And both seem to be going well thus far.

Now, on to the headlines.

THE NEWS

1. READ: BLAKE WESLEY PREPARED TO MAKE NAME FOR HIMSELF

Blake Wesley hasn't found a large role within the San Antonio Spurs since his draft selection two years ago, but this season could be his chance to breakout.

Read the full story at the link above.

2. READ: CHAMPAGNIE'S APPROACH TO NEXT SEASON? 'JUST KEEP SHOOTING'

The San Antonio Spurs will look to take a step forward behind Victor Wembanyama, but also younger guys still looking to prove themselves like third-year forward Julian Champagnie.

Check out the full story at the link above.

San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) shoots in the first half against the Orlando Magic.
Oct 9, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) shoots in the first half against the Orlando Magic at Frost Bank Center. / Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

MEDIA DAY, TRAINING CAMP

Now that the Media Day is over and the 2024-25 season is set to kick off, you can check out the stories surrounding the team as it gears up for the beginning of the preseason.

- The Ultimate Guide to Spurs Training Camp

- Everything Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Said at Media Day

- Victor Wembanyama is 'Funnier' as Spurs Prepare for New Season

- Chris Paul and Gregg Popovich, Once Rivals, Now Set to Join Forces

- Wembanyama Adds 25 Pounds Ahead of His Second NBA Season

- Chris Paul Enters San Antonio as Polished Veteran, Mutual Choice

- Keldon Johnson Is Back For Year 6, and Feels Like the Old Man

- Wembanyama 'Working on Fundamentals' Ahead of Sophomore Year

- Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul Share Comical Moment During Media Day

- Gregg Popovich Looking Forward To Season of Improvemen

- Castle Impresses Spurs Early with Versatility and 'Own Pace'

- Wembanyama Sets Next Big Goal: Elevating His Spurs Teammates

- Alpine F1 Team Announce New Era Clothing Collaboration

- Gregg Popovich Likes New, Improved Victor Wembanyama

- Is Stephon Castle's Jump Shot A Genuine Problem?


- Jeremy Sochan Ready to Thrive at 'Natural' Position

- Will Julian Champagnie Start In Place of Devin Vassell?

- Zach Collins 'Feeling Great' After Shoulder Surgery

- Harrison Barnes Speaks on Young Spurs' Winning Mentality

- Castle Speaks on Spurs' 'Aggressive' Defensive Mindset

- Keldon Johnson Focused on Getting Better, Sticking Around

- Champagnie's Approach to Begin New Season? 'Just Keep Shooting'

THE SCHEDULE

There are two weeks until opening night of the 2024-25 NBA season, but the San Antonio Spurs have more to look forward to prior to that. The regular season schedule will be released at 2 p.m. Central, but the entire preseason schedule, the NBA Cup slate and the Christmas Day schedule has.

Below is a list of dates and start times (all in CST) for all relevant Spurs games:

San Antonio Spurs Preseason

Oct. 7: Home vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (L 112-107)
Oct. 9: Home vs. Orlando Magic (W 107-97)
Oct. 12: Home vs. Utah Jazz (Tipoff 7 p.m.)

Oct. 15: Away at Miami Heat (Tipoff 6:30 p.m.)
Oct. 17: Away at Houston Rockets (Tipoff 7 p.m.)

San Antonio Spurs Regular Season Schedule

Oct. 24: Season Opener at Dallas Mavericks
Oct. 26: Home opener vs. Houston Rockets

Nov. 15: Group Play Begins vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Dec. 10: NBA Cup Knockout Rounds Begin
Dec. 25: MSG Christmas at New York Knicks

Dec. 31: New Year's vs. LA Clippers

Jan. 23-25: Paris Games vs. Indiana Pacers

Feb. 3: Rodeo Road Trip Begins at Memphis Grizzlies

Feb. 14-16: All-Star Break

Feb. 20: Spurs Get Moody vs. Phoenix Suns
Feb. 21: Spurs Get Moody vs. Detroit Pistons

March 21: Longest Home Stand Ends vs. Philadelphia 76ers

April 6: Final Road Trip Begins at Portland Trail Blazers
April 13: Final Home Game vs. Toronto Raptors

AROUND THE NBA

Catch up on some of the league-wide headlines below:

Also, be sure to follow along with Spurs On SI's NBA tracker, with more detailed breakdowns of major league news and updates.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I want to win championships. That's the thing I enjoy most.”

- Manu Ginóbili

THIS DAY IN SPURS HISTORY

October 10, 1973: The Spurs played their first game in San Antonio history, losing to the San Diego Conquistadors 121-106 inside HemisFair Arena in front of 5,879 fans.

The starting lineup was Rich Jones, Goo Kennedy, Bob Netolicky, Joe Hamilton and James Silas. Jones led the team in scoring with 25 points. The Conquistadors were coached by Wilt Chamberlain, who was assisted by future Spurs head coach Stan Albeck.

THE CLOSER

Check out our homepage for more news and follow us on the platforms below. Thank you for tuning in and enjoy the rest of your Thursday.

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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