George Gelvin is excited to see Victor Wenbagnama lead the San Antonio Spurs, but there are concerns about one aspect of his improvement.
The San Antonio Spurs have been caught up in rumours of NBA trade this summer, linked to drafting premier free agents like Naz Reid and prospects like Dylan Harper.
No matter how they go about this offseason, plans remain the same. While the Spurs have surpassed a significant share of the superstars, Wenbanyama is San Antonio’s most transformative and unique player to date.
Spurs’ first superstar George Gelvin praised Wenbagnama, but he has great concerns about his career.
For 29 seasons, Greg Popovich placed the bystanders of San Antonio. He won his first title with David Robinson and Tim Duncan backs, and more games than four coaches.
Along the way, he turned overlooked players, Tony Parker, Kawi Leonard, Manu Ginobilli and Dejoan Murray, into All-Stars, becoming synonymous with victory.
After the Spurs landed their first overall pick in 2023, Popovich signed a five-year extension, but stroke and further medical complications ended his coaching career and officially retired last month.
Popovich will maintain the Spurs as president of basketball operations and continue to play a massive role in the development of Wenbanyama, but the transition from Pop will be difficult for both the younger star and the organization.
“It’s sad that Pop is gone, but I think Pop has left him with good hands and Pop is still around,” said Fanduel’s Gerbin. Do that, Before thrilling Wenby with praise.
“He’s a special individual,” Gelvin said. “I mean, if he stays healthy, he can really be the face of (the league) for the next two years. He’s got the personality.
The Spurs certainly miss Popovich in the bystanders and locker room, but Wenbanyama spent the majority of his second season under Mitch Johnson.
Although Wenbanyama and Popovich appeared to have a quick bond, Pop wasn’t the only coach Wenbanyama played. In the NBA, Mitch Johnson coached 77 games and Wenbanyama played in 41 games.
Before he joined the Spurs, Wenbagnama took Metropolitan 92 to the French league final and lost to Monaco, but he won the MVP of the season.
Before that, he played under Tony Parker’s brother, TJ Parker, in Tony Parker’s Asbert basketball, finishing first in the regular season and playing for Nanterre under Coach Pascaldon Nadue.
At the 2024 Parisiolmímímímímínyama and head coach Vincent Colette finished second, losing the gold medal game to the United States.
Popovich has shown many times that most decorated coach Wenbañama has played before, but he doesn’t need the best winning leader ever to call play for him. Losing pop is certainly an adjustment, but he is expected to become a regular figure in games and practice facilities.