By far the biggest story across the league this year is the beginning of the Victor Wembanyama Era. And yes, it does need to be capitalized, I think. Erik Spoelstra had this to say about the 7'4" Frenchman after his Heat took on Wemby's Spurs in a preseason game over the weekend, "We’ve seen the footage, we’ve read about him, we’ve heard what everybody said about him. But until you actually see it, live, in person, there’s no real way to describe it.”
Thomas Bryant had no way to describe it, that's for sure:
Andrew Wiggins, similarly vexed:
Wembanyama averaged 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in only 20.8 minutes per game during the Spurs' four-game preseason. With all the caveats about staying healthy, adjusting to the grind of an 82-game season, and dealing with the physicality of grown-ass men acknowledged, we're massively excited to watch the kid play. And we place a great deal of faith in Greg Popovich's ability to both protect his player and maximize the rookie's production. The grapes are coming in nicely for the veteran coach.
On the other end of the spectrum, the NBA released this year's City Edition uniforms, and they appear to have been designed by a group of 13 year-olds who thought they were playing Dungeons and Dragons. Seriously, look at this crap:
We'll go back to the good for our final two items, both involving former W&M stars. Nathan Knight will suit up for his fourth NBA franchise in 2023-24 after signing a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. As Tribe booster No Bid Nation noted on Twitter, "William and Mary hoops, a feeder school for the Maine Red Claws.
Speaking of the G League, Tribe (and Gran Canaria) legend Jim Moran was named the head coach of the Rip City Remix, Portland's top affiliate. Moran (who started his coaching career with the...wait for it...Maine Red Claws) has been an assistant with the Blazers and Pistons since 2015. Put one foot in front of the other, Jimmy, and soon you'll be walking through that door, unlike Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish.
Happy NBA season, Gheorghies. You the man you the man.
nate knight
jim moran
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