The French giant Victor Wembanyama overtakes an NBA rival: “I just wanted to get out of the way”

The physical impact that the arrival of the French giant Victor Wembanyama has generated in the NBA has no limits… literally. In late 2023 and early 2024, the hope of San Antonio Spurs He left another play to contextualize what his 224 centimeters tall mean: He bypassed a rival who later confessed that he “simply” wanted to “get out of the way”.

Despite Wembanyama’s good performance, however, Spurs lost again, this time against the Boston Celticswho are the leaders of the Eastern Conference with the best balance in the championship (26-6), and thanks to an overwhelming performance Jayson Tatum (25 points and 6 rebounds) e Jaylen Brown (24 points and 6 rebounds).

The French giant, for its part, was once again the best of its team 21 points and 7 rebounds, but the Texas franchise finished the year in last place in the West. In any case, the flashes, as almost always this season, were for ‘Wemby’.

Because he made a layup that amazed the spectators present at the AT&T Center, those who followed the duel on television and those who saw the video on social networks, where it immediately became viral.

The French player started on the counterattack to receive a pass from Malaki Branham and, as soon as he set foot on the area, he rose into the air with the ball in his right hand, past Derrick White, one of the best blockers in the league … and who, with his 1.93 meters, could do very little against Wembanyama’s jumping range.

“I’m not an idiot. I expected Victor to dribble again but he continued and I never saw him again. “I just tried to get out of the way.”White confessed in statements to the press, after learning how the show had gone viral.

The Lakers don’t stop their irregularity

Only three wins in the last 11 games. This is the painful series that the Lakers have been going through since they won the NBA In-Season Tournament and which on the last night of 2023 added new disappointment with the defeat against the Pelicans.

Zion Williamson (26 points and 6 assists), Brandon Ingram (26 points and 8 assists) and CJ McCollum (22 points and 9 assists) took the reins of the New Orleans team, which shone from the triple with a 17-over performance 34.

Furthermore, the Puerto Rican José Alvarado was a magnificent booster off the bench with 8 points, 3 rebounds, an assist and, above all, 4 steals and 2 blocks that ignited the Pelicans defense.

LeBron James (34 points and 8 assists), Anthony Davis (20 points and 10 rebounds) and Austin Reaves (20 points and 9 assists) led the way for the visitors, who were without D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish due to a injury and also lost Rui Hachimura in the first quarter due to a calf problem.

SUNS 112 – MAGIC 107

Three consecutive victories lead the Suns who, little by little, begin to see the chemistry of their stellar trio on the court. Kevin Durant scored 31 points, Devin Booker contributed 21 and Bradley Beal scored 25. Jusuf Nurkic joined the group with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Paolo Banchero (28 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists) and Franz Wagner (27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists) were Orlando’s best.

TUONO 124 – NETWORKS 108

The Thunder confirm their excellent momentum with their fourth consecutive victory, this time beating the Nets, which leaves them second in the West before facing a very exciting 2024 for the Oklahoma City natives.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24 points and 6 assists) and Chet Holmgren (18 points and 10 rebounds) stood out for the Thunder while Mikal Bridges (22 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists) led the Nets into the doldrums with just two wins (both against the Pistons’ 28-game losing streak) in their last 10 games.

GRIZZLIES 92 – RE 123

A splendid triple double by Domantas Sabonis (13 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists) seals the resounding victory for the Kings and the end of the Ja Morant effect of the Grizzlies with three consecutive defeats for a 4-3 from the return of the base.

Morant scored 17 points for Memphis, who got 5 points, 2 rebounds and an assist from Spaniard Santi Aldama.

The Dominican Chris Duarte scored 7 points and 6 rebounds as a starter for the Kings while the Mexican Juan Toscano-Anderson scored 2 rebounds and an assist.

WIZARDS 126 – HAWKS 130

With 40 points and 13 assists from Trae Young, the Hawks ended the year with a smile and ended their four-game losing streak.

Kyle Kuzma stood out with 38 points and 8 rebounds in the defeat of the Wizards focused on rebuilding the franchise and second to last in the East – only above the historically terrible Pistons.