Spurs' Wemby vs. Giannis Debut Lives Up to Hype: 'This is What Basketball is All About!'
Despite losing their fourth game in a row, the San Antonio Spurs are feeling good after the close loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. It was the first matchup between superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and rookie Victor Wembanyama, and it certainly lived up to the long-awaited hype.
Antetokounmpo scored 44 points, and Wembanyama added 27 and five blocks, including blocking the Greek Freak at the rim in the final seconds. After the game, Antetokounmpo was baffled by Wembanyama, saying "I've never seen anything like him."
San Antonio, TX; San Antonio Spurs' center Victor Wembanyama (1) throws down a dunk while Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks watches. 1/4/2024.
© Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Wembanyama returned the praise.
"He's someone I grew up watching, and he's one of the greatest players in the world," he said.
The Spurs were not expected to win the game, so losing in close fashion was something of a spiritual victory. Coach Gregg Popovich was in high spirits after the loss.
"Great game, I couldn't be more proud of the group," he said. "We did a lot of great things and a lot of people played well."
Popovich went on to say that he "loved everything" about how everyone played. Starting Tre Jones at point guard seemed to be the right move, considering that the Spurs remained close with one of the NBA's title favorites and managed to outscore an opponent in the third quarter, which has been a struggle this year.
"During the game, it's (the third period) one of our main focus points in the locker room," Wembanyama said. "We know we've been bad in the third quarter before and it's one of our focus points."
For one of the first times this season, the national media is actively praising the Spurs. Stephen A. Smith commended the Giannis and Wembanyama matchup, saying, "This is what basketball is all about!"
Brian Windhorst joined in. "As far as I'm concerned, every one of these games going forward for the rest of their careers should be nationally televised, appointment television."
Despite losing most of their games, the San Antonio Spurs are clearly building something special and the NBA world is clamoring to see the next great superstar, who's ceiling appears to be limitless.
