5 Most important national TV games for Wemby and Spurs on their 2023-24 schedule

It's an exciting time in the San Antonio Spurs Kingdom, as the schedule for the upcoming season has been released like the Kraken in Clash of the Titans. There are 13 back-to-backs and a whopping 19 nationally televised games if you count the NBA TV broadcasts. Some matchups are more important than others, and setting your priorities straight matters. The Victor Wembanyama era is upon us, and his growth and experience should take precedence.

Spurs vs. Mavericks: October 25th on ESPN

The Dallas Mavericks are supposed to be the little brother that you always beat up on in every video game and sport you play together. That hasn't been the case over the last four years, with the Mavs winning the series 12-3. With the addition of Victor Wembanyama, it's time for San Antonio to begin putting Dallas back in their place.

Dallas had time to break through and establish themselves as a serious organization, but an immense collapse last season only highlighted their ineptitude. Though it would be nice, winning this game isn't necessary. The Spurs are set up for long-term success thanks to their astute asset management and strong player development department.

The NBA didn't hesitate to throw some of the league's top talent at Wemby. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are two offensive powerhouses, but they will have to accept serving as the initial "welcome to the NBA" stepping stone for the French phenom. He has the tools to dominate both ends of the floor, and this matchup will be integral to showing him how dominant superstars influence every minute of the game.

Spurs @ Knicks: November 8th on ESPN

Wembanyama hasn't been stateside for long, so there are still some things he must get used to. The aggressive nature of the New York media is a perfect experience for him to understand how ruthless sports journalism can be. It can lead to a circus that some players find uncomfortable. Considering all the hype surrounding him, you can expect an excessive amount of reporters to flock to his first game in the The Big Apple.

The media is overwhelming in New York, but the fanbase in another beast. The Knicks faithful create a rabid atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden. But that also leads to an opportunity for the French teenager. The Garden has a history of appreciating stars, and some of the greatest players in the NBA have made New York their second home, putting forth some of their most spectacular performances in front of a routinely sold-out arena.

Spurs vs. Hornets: January 12th on ESPN

The NBA will be about halfway through the season when we reach this game, and most teams usually have a solid grasp on who they are, which rotations work, and how they want to attack the opposition. That makes this a great time for Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller to go in front of the class for show and tell between the first two picks of the draft. Both players will be settled into their new clubs, leaving fans with an electric battle that could help decide who wins Rookie of the Year.

The last time Wemby and Miller went head-to-head was at Las Vegas Summer League. Miller ended that game with a better stat line. There are several reasons Victor fell short of his classmate, and his whirlwind summer should be taken into account. Players that strive for greatness move on from bad performances quickly, and the disrespectful questioning of whether the Spurs should have selected Wemby will do nothing but drive him to dominate this matchup.

Spurs @ Sixers: January 22nd on NBA TV

There are so many different types of players in the NBA, and the best players present challenges no matter their size, speed, or strength. Regardless, the Sixers will offer the Spurs a unique challenge in the form of reigning MVP Joel Embiid. There are not many big men with his combination of size, skill, and physicality. This matchup will be a colossal test for Wemby that will prepare him for how to handle all the bruising centers awaiting him on the rest of the schedule.

Everyone knows the number one overall pick prefers not lining up at the five, but cross matchups are simply unavoidable in the modern NBA. The Spurs must figure out how to navigate those situations. There is no doubt Gregg Popovich will have a plan going into this game, but as Mike Tyson famously said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Hopefully, Wemby will be wearing his mouthpiece.

Spurs vs. Thunder: January 24th on ESPN

The NBA is introducing Rivalry Week. This is a magnificent idea to generate more intrigue during the regular season. The Association has been missing some of the intensity generated by the infamous rivalries that increased the sport's popularity in the 80s and 90s. While the Spurs have more obvious adversaries, they have experienced a number of recent playoff series against Oklahoma City.

The Thunder swept their season series with the Spurs last year, and San Antonio must start winning some of these matchups if the NBA wants to push this particularly rivarly. There are also people who believe Chet Holmgren is just as talented as Wemby, and that narrative needs to be put to bed. What better time for the Silver and Black to prove their superiority than in a midseason game on a national stage where both teams should be at their best?

The Spurs went from an afterthought to a franchise in the national spotlight in the course of a single summer. Draft Wembanyama is a signal to the rest of the league that the Spurs are ready for a higher form of war. That's totally fine. Gregg Popovich is to the Spurs what Nick Fury is to the Avengers. He's been assembling the talent necessary to fight back, and now, he has a Hulk.