Former No. 1 picks Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama named Gamers of the Week

On Cade Cunningham’s management: “With Cade, he takes the problem of guarding on the defensive finish. He does take the problem and he takes it significantly. If he sees some guys slipping or slacking, he’ll name them out, to not embarrass them however to problem the others. That’s what a real chief does. He’s a triple-double machine now. I don’t know what received into him, however he’s getting them simple.” -via YouTube / December 21, 2024

Omari Sankofa II: Cade Cunningham on Ron Holland’s ejection after confronting Jordan Clarkson with fists up: “That’s who Ron is. Ron is a brilliant loyal dude, tremendous tough-minded dude. I might’ve had my eyes closed and guessed who was going to be in the course of it. That’s simply who he’s.” -via Bluesky / December 19, 2024

Omari Sankofa II: FINAL: Jazz 126, Pistons 119. They trailed 48-19 after the first and couldn’t shut the hole. Cade Cunningham completed with 33 factors, 7 assists and 6 rebounds on 13-23 taking pictures. -via Bluesky / December 19, 2024

Wembanyama admits his huge array of belongings typically creates confusion for him, however he credit the Spurs’ video group with serving to him decelerate the sport. Earlier than each sport, the video workers masses an iPad stuffed with clips of the varied defensive seems the opponent utilized in opposition to him within the final matchup. “The actual issue is adjusting to the protection in actual time, the kind of protection,” Wembanyama mentioned. “As a result of the solutions are all the time there once we watch movie afterwards. It’s simple to identify them. However reacting in actual time could be very tough.” However because of his movie research, Wembanyama is beginning to acknowledge all of the patterns used in opposition to him. Billups defined earlier than Saturday’s sport that the one approach to defend Wembanyama is with a defensive scheme as various as his talent set. -via ESPN / December 23, 2024

ON HIS FIRST day of coaching camp as a rookie in 2023, Victor Wembanyama defined how the San Antonio Spurs might greatest place him, and the franchise, for achievement. It was round 90 days after the French phenom was chosen No. 1 within the 2023 NBA Draft. Standard basketball knowledge mentioned the 7-foot-3 Wembanyama ought to stay within the paint and take his pictures close to the basket. He ought to display screen, rebound and defend. Block pictures. Hand off the ball to guards to facilitate offense. That’s what most huge males do. However Wembanyama isn’t any peculiar huge. He knew it. So the 19-year-old sat with the Spurs workers they usually mentioned how conventionality would stifle his creativity, and due to this fact restrict the group’s ceiling with him as its centerpiece. “The easiest way for me to assist is to not put me in a field,” Wembanyama advised the Spurs forward of his first NBA season. “[Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] is aware of it. He realized to know me and I’m studying to know him. We all know we’re going to make one thing authentic, one thing particular.” -via ESPN / December 23, 2024

As a substitute of continuous his 3-point barrage, Wembanyama moved inside, lighting up Sacramento for 13 factors on 4-of-5 taking pictures with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and a pair of blocks. None of these 5 pictures got here from past the arc. Three landed from 7 ft or nearer. The efficiency offered one of many first glimpses this season of Wembanyama studying how — and most significantly — when to deploy his huge talent set. And the way ruthlessly efficient it may be. After the sport, Wembanyama as soon as once more cautioned in opposition to placing him in a field. “Don’t,” he mentioned. “I gained’t match.” -via ESPN / December 23, 2024