Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama benefited from workouts with Jamal Crawford
If Victor Wembanyama's ball-handling and moves look even sharper this season, give some of the credit to a former NBA standout who worked with the Frenchman in the offseason.
Jamal Crawford, who thrived as a sixth man during a 20-season NBA career that ended in 2020, received high marks from the Spurs star center for his skills as a tutor.
"It was my first time working for a long period of time with an actual retired NBA player," Wembanyama said. "I learned a lot because the view he has of the game is different from a coach's because he understands the player maybe more than any coaches I have worked with before. It was a great experience. I would do it again."
Crawford, 44, first met Wembanyama, 20, at a Rising Stars practice during All-Star weekend last February in Indianapolis. As a 6-foot-5 guard Crawford averaged 14.6 points and 3.4 assists for his career, which included winning Sixth Man of the Year three times.
"I showed him some freestyle moves and our relationship kind of took off," Crawford said on The Dan Patrick Show. "I showed him a wrap-around move only reserved for tall guards, guys with long arms who can pull it off. I thought he could take it to the next level."
Crawford raved about Wembanyama's versatility. The 7-foot-3 center won Rookie of the Year honors last season with averages of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and a league-best 3.6 blocks in 71 regular-season games.
"He is such a unique talent and you can use him in so many different places on the court," Crawford said. "You can use him bringing up the ball, you can use him in the mid-post area, you can use him in the post area. He can shoot transition threes and do everything in between."
Wembanyama said he hopes to become more proficient in the paint this season
"Those are the easiest shots and the ones we want the most," he said.
Wembanyama has shown all-around improvement since training camp got underway Tuesday, one of his teammates said.
"I feel like every aspect of his game has gotten better," forward Keldon Johnson said. "You guys will get to see that. We have been seeing that every day. To just focus on ball-handling would be a disservice. He's definitely gotten better with the ball, but I feel like every aspect of his game has improved."
Starting lineup remains uncertain
Coach Gregg Popovich said Saturday he hasn't set a starting lineup for the preseason opener.
The Spurs kick off their five-game exhibition schedule against Oklahoma City at 7 p.m. Monday night at the Frost Bank Center..
"You can probably guess who some of the starters are, but I want to see how they come out of this," Popovich said. "It was a tough week and I want to see what their bodies look like and that kind of thing."
The Spurs are off Sunday after five straight practice days since training camp opened Tuesday. Participants in the workouts have included forward/center Zach Collins and center Charles Bassey, both of whom underwent surgery to repair injuries either during last season (Bassey, knee) or shortly after the season (Collins, shoulder).
"They are going five on five," Popovich said. "I don't know if that is going to translate right away to game play, but we are going to see how they react to these practices this weeks."
Popovich applauds Land
Popovich verbally saluted former Spurs television play-by-play voice Bill Land, who announced his retirement in August after 21 seasons broadcasting Spurs games.
"He was great for a very long time, just a gentle, wonderful guy," Popovich said.
Land's decision came nearly a year after he was diagnosed with multiple myseloma, a rare blood cancer. But Land said at the time of his retirement announcement that his health played only a minor role in his decision,
"I am actually feeling really well right now," Land said.
The Spurs announced last week that Denver-based sports anchor Jacob Tobey has been hired to replace Land.
"He's got big shoes to fill," Popovich said of Tobey.
This story was originally published October 5, 2024, 10:59 PM.
