Spurs Fiesta 5: Victor Wembanyama 'Rusty' Day 1
SAN ANTONIO - Wemby’s rusty, Pop’s absent and RIP to a coach gone too soon … Our San Antonio Spurs Fiesta 5 via Mike Taylor on the scene …
1. WEMBY RUSTY?
I sat there Saturday in the middle of the assembled chairs on the legendary AT&T court that now “belongs” to new Spurs savior. I'm no psychologist and certainly no expert in the human condition, but I tried to study him.
I wasn't looking at the set up that resembled a royal wedding. I wasn't distracted with the model of the Eiffel Tower displayed next to the dias where they introduced Wemby, nor by the throng of media and Spurs staffers that gathered for his first San Antonio Spurs press conference after having been taken No. 1 overall in Thursday’s NBA Draft.
I watched him. Wemby. His face. His mannerisms. His family - all of whom flew from Paris to New York to San Antonio for this introduction.
They must have been worn out from their not-so-easy flight journey. I saw a young man whose face looks every bit of 19 years old.
He seemed tired though, not bewildered … but certainly in need of a break. While this city wraps its arms around the next "Great One" - which he's no doubt capable of handling - it will be the very Spurs organization that'll have to teach him to focus only on things that matter.
The 7-3 Frenchman looked rusty in a "made-for-TV" shootaround after the press conference and admitted it's been days since he's taken a shot. He mentioned how busy he is and the scramble isn't stopping as a trip to Nike Headquarters in Portland is up next.
Wembanyama has said he wants to play in the Spurs Summer League games and he's already committed to repping Team France in the World Cup that doesn't end until 20 days before training camp.
“This is the life I wanted,” Wembanyama said. “This is what I worked for and it’s what I’ve been wanting for a long time. So, it feels normal to me.”
OK. But … The kid needs to rest at some point. Soon.
He will have to learn that being this city's and this particular team's savior comes with accepting that he cannot possibly say “yes” to everything he's asked to do.
It's difficult to avoid comparing him to Tim Duncan, and one thing I hope he realizes is that Tim probably declined a request 99 times out of a hundred.
All these years and not once have I ever spoken with Duncan one-on-one. (Maybe it’s me!)
I'm guessing Wemby will look back on these early, hype-filled days of his new life and thank coach Gregg Popovich and probably Tim himself for teaching him the importance of saying “no.”
2. NO POP TO BE FOUND
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich took the time this week to drive by and admire a mural of Wembanyama being painted on the wall of a local bar but he did not attend this presser.
Why? Pop would rather do just about anything than take part in the hoopla of it all.
Nobody is more important to the development of the new-kid sensation than Pop, but you don't develop prospects at press conferences. That instruction will come at the gym, at fancy restaurants and at Pop’s house.
I've joked that Wemby's arrival will probably extend Pop's tenure as head coach five more years and perhaps even his own life. It's funny because it's probably true.
3. CISSOKO RIDES SIDE SADDLE
Sidy Cissoko was the other tall, young man that was introduced at the Spurs press conference. The team billed this extravaganza as their "Draft Picks Introductory Press Conference.” But we all know who's day this was and it wasn't the second-round pick who'll likely spend half his time in Austin in the G League.
Cissoko handled it all in stride like the undercard fighter on a Tyson bill. He calmly took his seat on the dais sporting Yves Saint Laurent earrings shining in the lights. He spoke English, his native French and even showed off some perfect Spanish for the local Univision reporter. I like him already.
"I don't like the Mavericks," Cissoko said ... and now you like him, too.
4. AGGIES IN MOURNING
All of my Aggies buddies are saddened by the passing of former Texas A&M Wrecking Crew member and long-time D-line coach Terry Price who died after an illness at 55.
It's unfortunate that we media types can't keep up with everyone, but I've learned more about Price in the last day than I ever did while he was alive. By all accounts he was a great person and a hell of a coach. San Antonio's own DeMarvin Leal played for him at A&M and is just one of many that have expressed great sadness.
We know all the college head coaches’ names, but I don't think we truly understand the importance of assistants and recruiters and mentors in college football programs. Coach Price was all of those and it seems he was one of the best. RIP, Coach.
5. THE FINAL WORD
“Honestly, that was one of the best dinners of my life. And not because of the food. The food was good. But the people was crazy.” - Wemby on his welcome dinner featuring Pop, Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili and Sean Elliott.
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