Insider Explains Key Differences For The Spurs This Season

Not since LeBron James in 2003 with the Cleveland Cavaliers has a rookie come into the league with as much hype or expectations as Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.

It’s been two decades since this kind of media attention has been directed at a rookie in the NBA, even though Zion Williamson got a lot of attention with the New Orleans Pelicans a few years ago.

Williamson, however, is not a total game-changer like Wembanyama, who can seemingly do everything on the basketball floor while towering over everyone at 7-foot-4 or whatever the team has him listed at right now.

With an instant superstar like Wembanyama comes added attention, with every media outlet wanting a piece of this 19-year-old while watching his every move on and off the basketball court.

Even though the Spurs haven’t been relevant for quite some time, they have dealt with the media exposure before during their championship runs, with Tim Duncan leading the charge.

However, things are a bit different with Wembanyama because of the international aspect, as the French media have gotten involved, which Andrew Lopez of ESPN talks about, via NBA on ESPN.

The Spurs are navigating how to handle the increased attention Victor Wembanyama has brought to the team ? @_Andrew_Lopez pic.twitter.com/ETTqqw3Doj

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 30, 2023

Fortunately for the Spurs, Wembanyama doesn’t seem to have much of an ego and seems to already know how to handle himself with the media due to playing professionally overseas.

San Antonio has the advantage of a mature 19-year-old with professional experience and, of course, having head coach Gregg Popovich as a mentor moving forward, which will surely help his development.

NEXT: 
NBA Legend Discusses Victor Wembanyama’s Fit With The Spurs