San Antonio Spurs has a future superstar in Victor Wembanyama but with his injury shortly after the start of the season, they needed to be careful with him. Head coach Mitch Johnson decided to have him start off the bench and surprisingly, it was a good decision.
Spurs won 5 straight and it included convincing wins over the OKC Thunder who appeared indomitable and were even poised to break Golden State Warriors’ 73-9 record in 2015.
But of course, Wembanyama is no ordinary player. Him starting off the bench is viewed as a handicap. He should be starting and that will only make them more dangerous.
Mitchell decided it’s time to bring Wemby back to the line-up where he belongs. How is it going so far? It’s a disaster.
Spurs were dominated by the Utah Jazz in Wembanyama’s first game back to the starting line up. He scored scored 32 points and grabbed 7 rebounds but they were not enough against Utah’s dynamic offense led by Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen who scored 29 and 28 points, respectively.
Wemby started in the next game which was against the Cleveland Cavaliers but they still lost, again by double digits. The Alien was again the top scorer with 26-14 but they did not get the result they wanted.
Mitch Johnson says it will take time
Wembanyama is supposed to be a starter. He deserves that spot. However, he missed some time.
Johnson said the team has to adjust to the changes and so, he is preaching patience.
“Victor’s not a small piece you’re just adding into the starting lineup, and we have guys that have been playing well and that have been aggressive, and their usage in the first four or five minutes is going to look differently with him on the court,” the coach told reporters after the loss to Cavs.
Luke Kornet was the starter before Wemby’s return to starting five.
More than the personnel, Johnson said it is time that will make them comfortable with the new rotation.
“The process, unfortunately, the biggest thing has to be time. There is an approach and a game plan that I have to lead and support them in. There is a togetherness and a commitment to play together, to use each other’s strengths, to gain advantages together, and let the basketball find the open man,”
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