Victor Wembanyama is treating his matchups with Nikola Jokic as study material, not just marquee minutes.
After playing for France in Orleans, Wembanyama said the atmosphere made the return feel natural. He also noted that he started at center after spending significant time at power forward in Belgrade, a shift that helped him settle into simpler responsibilities.
"I felt more comfortable on the court [as a center] from the start," Wembanyama said. "We are a new team, and we don't know each other so well yet, so it was important to start from the basics. I think that we have made a step forward."
The bigger line came when he was asked about Jokic. Wembanyama said he picks up details every time he faces the Denver Nuggets star.
"Of course you always learn when you play against Jokic," Wembanyama said. "You always catch some stuff and smarter moves on the court in those duels with him."
That is the useful part for San Antonio. Wembanyama already changes games with length and defense, but Jokic is still the league's cleanest example of pace, manipulation and passing from the middle. If Wembanyama keeps borrowing those reads, the Spurs' offense gets a clearer path around him.
No comments yet. Start the conversation.