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Reposted by Jeff McDonald

Mike Finger @mikefinger.bsky.social · 12h

Victor Wembanyama infuriates me the same way he must infuriate veteran NBA players, and this situation is becoming untenable.

If he keeps describing Spurs games better than I can describe Spurs games, he’s going to put me out of a job.

www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Victor Wembanyama in midseason form as both shot-blocker and wordsmith

Victor Wembanyama had the audacity to make his return in midseason form, not only as a shot-blocker and a multifaceted offensive creator but also, maddeningly, as a wordsmith.

www.expressnews.com

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 1d

Victor's full eloquent answer can be found herein:

www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

How Wembanyama looked in his return, Spurs win over Guangzhou Loong-Lions

The Spurs defeated Guangzhou Loong-Lions in preseason action, with Victor Wembanyama leading the way

www.expressnews.com

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 1d

Wemby tried only one 3-pointer last night. Pumped faked out of a few looks to drive and dish to open teammates.

Asked him about it after the game:

“Maybe I turned down a shot I could make with my eyes closed," he said. "But that was to get one of my teammates a shot he could make in his sleep.”

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 1d

The (preseason) triple take: Spurs 119, Loong-Lions 88

1. Wemby wowed his coach with fundamentals

2. Jury still out on Spurs' 3-point shooting, but it was there tonight

3. Rookie's defense earns high praise from high places

www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

How Wembanyama looked in his return, Spurs win over Guangzhou Loong-Lions

The Spurs defeated Guangzhou Loong-Lions in preseason action, with Victor Wembanyama leading the way

www.expressnews.com

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

Spurs lead Guangzhou 74-45 at half. Vic with nine points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Julian Champagnie, Luke Kornet and Keldon Johnson with 16 points apiece. Frank Kaminsky -- yes, that Frank Kaminsky -- with 16 to lead the Lions.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

The seals it. Ready to pronounce Victor Wembanyama the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year in the Chinese League.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

Perhaps the most interesting Vic stat so far: He has yet to attempt a 3.

Pump-faked out of one just now, drove his man, then pitched to Champagnie for the open trey.

Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

Vic has eight rebounds and five turnovers after the first quarter.

Also six points, three assists and a block.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

Vic has eight rebounds and five turnovers after the first quarter.

Also six points, three assists and a block.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

It won't be this easy against NBA teams with NBA size ... but the Victor ---> Kornet two-man game is looking pretty nice so far.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

Spurs' starters for this preseason opener against the Not Detroit Lions:

Waters III, Champagnie, Wembanyama, Barnes, K Johnson

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Reposted by Jeff McDonald

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 2d

The Spurs’ already lengthy injury list has a new addition:

www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Spurs add Stephon Castle to injury list

The 2024-25 Rookie of the Year will miss Monday's preseason opener with a bruised knee and possibly two other games this week.

www.expressnews.com

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

“I really feel as though we will see one of the best Devin Vassells we’ve seen."

Devin Vassell says his goal for his sixth NBA season is to play all 82 games. The Spurs guard took the first step by arriving at training camp healthy for the first time in years.

www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Healthy again, Spurs' Devin Vassell aims for a bounce-back season

The oft-injured veteran has big plans for his sixth Spurs season, all which involve remaining upright

www.expressnews.com

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

Also worth passing along: Word is Dylan Harper might be ahead of schedule in his return from thumb surgery. He won't play tonight, but would not be surprised to see him in action at some point before the preseason slate ends.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

Notably absent from this lengthy list of future DNPs is Victor Wemabanyama, who will play in the Spurs' preseason opener

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 2d

In addition to Castle (knee), the Spurs will also be without Fox (hamstring), Harper (thumb), McLaughlin (hamstring), Sochan (calf), Olynyk (heel) and Vassell (healthy scratch). Vassell is expected to play at Miami on Wednesday, though.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 2d

A special guest at Spurs shootaround this morning: President of Basketball Operations Gregg Popovich.

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Reposted by Jeff McDonald

Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 3d

Entering his 3rd season, Victor Wembanyama is still constructed more like the Tower of Americas than Enchanted Rock.

After a "brutal" and "violent" offseason regimen, Wemby this season hopes to be better equipped to move mountains.

More on "Body by Vic:"

www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Body by Vic: How Wembanyama's offseason transformation could transform the NBA

Thanks to a "brutal" and "violent" summertime strength program, the spindly Spurs star is ready to do some bullying

www.expressnews.com

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 3d

Entering his 3rd season, Victor Wembanyama is still constructed more like the Tower of Americas than Enchanted Rock.

After a "brutal" and "violent" offseason regimen, Wemby this season hopes to be better equipped to move mountains.

More on "Body by Vic:"

www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Body by Vic: How Wembanyama's offseason transformation could transform the NBA

Thanks to a "brutal" and "violent" summertime strength program, the spindly Spurs star is ready to do some bullying

www.expressnews.com

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Reposted by Jeff McDonald

Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 4d

"That just smells like Pop."

One week into his first training camp as the Spurs' head coach, Mitch Johnson is drawing high marks from the players he commands -- including the most important one of them all.

A Sunday read on the early returns of a new era:

www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

'Smells like Pop:' Spurs players give Mitch Johnson high marks in first camp

So far in Mitch Johnson's first training camp, Victor Wembanyama and Co. like what they see

www.expressnews.com

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 4d

He is absolutely in the Patty Mills tier of all-time Spurs culture guys.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 4d

A couple of us grizzled media types were talking about this tonight. They can never, ever trade him.

Decorative Gourdian Knot @buckrawheat.bsky.social · 4d

Keldon is an absolute gem of a culture guy and I hope whatever happens he's around for many years to come

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 4d

If you thought the Silver&Black scrimmage was over, think again.

Keldon Johnson ended the night emceeing a karaoke contest featuring the team's rookies and sophomores.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 4d

No, those were two notable things that actually happened.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 4d

Re: Vic's offseason bulk-up program ...

Not going to pretend Wemby is suddenly some Jesse "The Body" Ventura. But early in the first half he barreled over Elite Rim Defender Luke Kornet for a dunk, and just now sent Very Stout Perimeter Defender Steph Castle flying with a forearm shiver.

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Jeff McDonald @jmcdonaldsa.bsky.social · 4d

Also favored to make the team

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Reposted by Jeff McDonald

Tom Orsborn @tomorsborn.bsky.social · 4d

Wemby scoring over Kornet…

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