Wembanyama’s sobering EuroBasket thoughts align with hopes of Spurs fans

The Spurs have done things the right way over the last few years during this rebuild era. They’ve acquired draft capital, drafted the right players in Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama, among others, and have signed key veteran players like Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes.

These decisions led to a 12-win improvement this season over last season, with more expected this upcoming season. The Spurs now have two lottery selections (thanks Miami) and will add quality young players to the team.

That’s all well and good, but fans want to see results. Spurs Nation has more patience than a lot of places, but this organization’s excellence speaks for itself, with a cabinet full of O’Brien trophies in the Frost Bank Center for all to see.

For the Spurs to continue their upward ascent, they need their star players to buy in. Silver and Black fans, most importantly, need wunderkind Victor Wembanyama fully healthy and back with the team, and his thoughts regarding EuroBasket should help ease Spurs fans’ qualms.

Wemby spoke into existence what Spurs Nation was hoping for: restraint

Coming off a puzzling injury, with more of a concern about his overall health and wellness, most fans wouldn’t want him to jump right back into play, let alone something as competitive as EuroBasket. Representing one’s country raises the stakes higher than usual, and Victor is clearly very passionate about representing the bleu, blanc et rouge whenever he can.

National pride is commendable, but it’s also refreshing to hear an athlete take a sensible approach and put his health and his ball club first. There are two reasons why Wembanyama taking this point of view makes sense.

He’s coming off a blood clot type injury (deep vein thrombosis to be specific). As this isn’t a “normal” injury, and an injury such as this was the end of Chris Bosh’s career, there’s substantial risk involved, and it’s likely rest is the best option as opposed to playing in a high stakes tournament overseas, not to mention all the travel that comes with that.

The second reason is skipping out on EuroBasket will give him time to gel with in-season acquisition De’Aaron Fox, whom the Spurs landed in a trade with the Kings.

The dynamic point guard was a key get for the Spurs and will help shape them for the future, as he instantly became a core piece for the team. The 6’3” point guard from Kentucky played 17 games in an injury-shortened season for San Antonio, averaging 19.7 points per game.

Across 45 games for Sacramento this past season prior to the trade, he scored 25 points per game. A pick and roll consisting of Fox and Wembanyama will be a nightmare for defenses for years to come.

This time, with them both being out, provides opportunities in a low-stress environment for them to develop rapport with each other and learn each other’s tendencies. After all, they’ve only played five games together in the same uniform.

With Fox and Wembanyama having a full offseason to get healthy while developing chemistry, the rest of the team's success will follow. If teams have to defend the pick and roll with those two, that’ll leave open looks for shooters like Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, and Stephon Castle.

Both Fox and Castle can guard the perimeter well. Wembanyama’s presence in the paint aids players like Jeremy Sochan to be able to push the limits defensively with pressure.

It’s clear to more than just the players on the Spurs’ roster that Wembanyama’s sensible approach to resting this summer shows a maturity beyond his years. It’ll help the Spurs in the long run, and although perhaps an acute aspect of the pursuit, it’ll help that trophy cabinet in the Frost Bank continue to grow.