'Sharper!' Spurs Sound Off on Grizzlies Loss Ahead of Facing Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
SAN ANTONIO — Ja Morant's explosive dunk with Victor Wembanyama guarding him would have felt better for the veteran — and stung more for the rookie — if he hadn't been blocked by him on his first shot attempt of the game.
Both outcomes were "to be expected," especially considering the relative inevitability of a point guard with no jumping ceiling and a 7-4 rookie with an 8-foot wingspan matching up against each other. Highlights were bound to happen.
And that they did — with both athletes having things to say about the game and the opposing player post-matchup.
Morant went first.
“I was just rim grazing," the Memphis Grizzlies star said. "You know your first high school dunk. You just put the ball over the rim then hang on the rim. My pops calls that a hard layup. So, I'll take it. That's what everyone wanted. That was my gift.
"A late Christmas gift or a Happy New Year gift.”
© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Morant's highlight-worthy dunk while Wembanyama watched with a hand raised was proof enough of the veteran's enjoyment not only of basketball, but of competition — which certainly flared up after the rookie blocked his shot.
"Ja is capable of dunking on anybody, but I saw it coming," Desmond Bane said of his teammate. "Once he gets to that drop, right, left, and he gets close to the rim, it’s ugly for whoever’s down there. Add that to the highlight reel.”
But as competitive as Morant is, Wembanyama has proven thus far that he is, too. Maybe that's part of the reason why he dished out a subtle back-handed compliment of Morant when asked about his matchup with him.
Just maybe.
“[He's a] good player,” the San Antonio Spurs rookie said. “Very, very small so it’s hard to catch up. Very fast. Just another great player that I see every night. In the NBA, everyone’s got a franchise player like this who’s causing problems.”
For the Grizzlies, Morant is that player. For the Spurs, Wembanyama is.
But for the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo is that player.
The next team standing in the way of the NBA's youngest team and a victory is Milwaukee, and while the Bucks and Grizzlies are two vastly different squads, there is similarity between the two situations San Antonio faced and is facing.
The first time San Antonio faced Memphis, it was without Morant. The Spurs fought hard, but ultimately couldn't overcome the shorthanded team in the midst of what would become an 18-game losing skid. Sound familiar?
The first meeting between the Bucks and Spurs came after San Antonio's win over the Los Angeles Lakers, but the result was the same. A loss against a stronger team.
But Wembanyama didn't play. So, for the Spurs, playing against Milwaukee and Antetokounmpo while having their rookie active and playing will be a first. And based on the Grizzlies game, improvements will have to be made if they want to win.
"I think our team stats were pretty similar," Wembanyama said about the difference between the Spurs and Grizzlies. "They made a couple of more threes than us. It's a lot of details but I really liked what we were doing in the first half. Our defensive rotations were pretty good. This is what we got to look like all game."
Jan 2, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) reacts with center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.
© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
"Looking like" the first half reveals one of the biggest issues plaguing the Spurs this season. It's not about the players' skill level or potential, but rather the effort.
"We're still searching for consistency," Gregg Popovich said following his team's loss to the Utah Jazz. "We go in spurts and really haven't matured enough to understand that winning an NBA game is difficult. ... You can't be consistent on offense and execute on defense for [just] 20 minutes. You're not going to win that way."
As for the Grizzlies loss specifically, Keldon Johnson made sure to give the Grizzlies — with Morant — their flowers. Then, he spoke on improvements.
"[Memphis is] a pretty good team," he said. "The record doesn't really show [that]. They've got one of their best players back ... but I think we played a good game. We've just got to continue to execute and be sharper.”
San Antonio's next chance to execute better and "be sharper" comes back at home against the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo will pose a large threat, but Wembanyama will be playing. The Spurs just hope that makes a large difference.
Tipoff for Spurs vs. Bucks is set for 6:30 p.m. CST Thursday at Frost Bank Center.
