By Mike Finger, Columnist | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-08-02 16:59:45
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
2024年8月2日，法国维尔诺夫-达斯克，2024年夏季奥运会男篮比赛中，德国队的丹尼尔·泰斯(Daniel Theis)试图从法国队的维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)手中抢断。(美联社照片/Mark J. Terrill)
法国维尔诺夫-达斯克——与维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)效力的另一支篮球队不同，法国国家队无法通过交易补强阵容。奥运会的精神和规则不允许法国队用鲁迪·戈贝尔(Rudy Gobert)从芬兰队交易来劳里·马尔卡宁(Lauri Markkanen)。
就算尼斯的海滩上真有一个39岁的克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)闲逛，随时准备上场打控球后卫，那他也早就来了。
因此，从周五法国队以69比85惨败给德国队的比赛来看，这位NBA年度最佳新秀很可能要受困于一支实力不足以夺牌的国家队。对于那些希望看到他们的球星在这个夏天开始适应胜利的马刺球迷来说，这多少有些遗憾。
即便如此，这种失望最终也会对圣安东尼奥有利，因为像周五这样的日子会给文班亚马上一堂他可能时不时需要上的课。
没错，篮球是团队运动，球队的阵容配置至关重要。
但有时候，球星就是需要打得更好。
如果文班亚马意识到这一点也适用于他呢？
他越早明白这个道理越好。
“我们都经历过这样的事情，”文班亚马在周五对阵德国队的比赛中首节4投0中，最终得到18分和11个篮板后说道。“关键是我们如何应对。”
他的两点说法都对。作为马刺队的新秀，他经历过很多个夜晚，球队早早落后，等到开始反击时为时已晚。归根结底，他的祖国会记住他的球队在下一周的奖牌争夺战中的表现，而不是他们在周五27000名球迷面前在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场的球场上被对手如何压制。
但有些细节值得注意，比如德国队在没有把全部防守精力都放在文班亚马身上的情况下，就成功地限制了他。在第一节的大部分时间里，这位20岁的马刺球员主要由32岁的丹尼尔·泰斯防守，这位NBA老将曾在凯尔特人队打过三个赛季的季后赛。
在比赛的第一回合，法国队就在低位强行给文班亚马喂球。泰斯在他身下防守，文班亚马转身面向底线，跳投一记中距离，结果投失了。
2024年8月2日，法国维尔诺夫-达斯克，2024年夏季奥运会男篮比赛中，法国队的维克托·文班亚马在被德国队犯规后做出反应。(美联社照片/Mark J. Terrill)
这在比赛初期是一个主题，文班亚马在第二节中段才通过补篮扣篮得到第一分，此前已经有6名法国球员得分。在文班亚马表示法国队在转移球方面做得更成功后，他的教练说他同意这一评价。
“他也这么认为，”文森特·科莱(Vincent Collet)说。“（文班亚马）停球太多了，面对这种侵略性强的球队，你不能那样打。”
如果说马刺队从周五比赛的走势中看到了什么熟悉的东西，他们肯定不会主动给科莱提什么建议。在他们看来，他们希望在奥运会期间给予法国国家队同样的尊重，就像法国队在其他时间给予马刺队的尊重一样。
即使每个管理层成员和教练组成员都在关注着，而且是密切关注着，但他们也不会干预法国队的四分之一决赛备战，就像科莱不会对圣安东尼奥在对阵湖人或独行侠时的阵容指手画脚一样。
相反，马刺队派代表团前往法国，在不干预的情况下支持他们的球星。在小组赛阶段，总经理布莱恩·莱特(Brian Wright)也出现在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场的观众席上。下周在巴黎——也许并非巧合的是，那里有更高密度的米其林星级餐厅——格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)预计至少会观看一场奖牌争夺战。
法国队输掉了比赛，这将使他们在下周成为第五或第六号种子，文班亚马在奖牌争夺战中的第一场比赛很可能会在周二的四分之一决赛中对阵保持不败的加拿大队。由于分组抽签规则复杂，我不想在这里浪费时间解释，因此最终的对阵形势要等到C组在周六结束比赛后才能确定，但如果美国队战胜波多黎各队，那么法国队和加拿大队的对决将成为定局。
底线是：下次文班亚马踏上球场时，他的球队很可能将是一个明显的弱者。
正如他在周五晚上指出的那样，这对他来说并不陌生。
但由于没有外援的到来，无论公平与否，他需要做出的改进大部分都将来自他自己。
他的另一支球队迫不及待地想看看他能否做到。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：(编者注：图片由位于比赛场地之上的遥控摄像机拍摄) 2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)扣篮。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：(编者注：图片由位于比赛场地之上的遥控摄像机拍摄) 2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的莫里茨·瓦格纳(Moritz Wagner)(13号)越过法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)上篮。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)带球突破德国队的莫里茨·瓦格纳(13号)。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：(编者注：图片由位于比赛场地之上的遥控摄像机拍摄) 2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的弗朗茨·瓦格纳(Franz Wagner)(9号)越过法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)投篮。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的弗朗茨·瓦格纳(9号)和莫里茨·瓦格纳(13号)防守法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的弗朗茨·瓦格纳(9号)和莫里茨·瓦格纳(13号)防守法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛结束后，法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)鼓掌。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛结束后，法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)与德国队队员击掌。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的弗朗茨·瓦格纳(9号)带球突破法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的弗朗茨·瓦格纳(9号)越过法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)上篮。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的丹尼尔·泰斯(10号)防守法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的丹尼尔·泰斯(10号)防守法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的莫里茨·瓦格纳(13号)防守法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的莫里茨·瓦格纳(13号)越过法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)上篮。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的莫里茨·瓦格纳(13号)越过法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)上篮。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)和德国队的丹尼尔·泰斯(10号)跳球。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的丹尼尔·泰斯(10号)防守法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：(编者注：图片由位于比赛场地之上的遥控摄像机拍摄) 2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)扣篮。
法国里尔 - 8月2日：(编者注：图片由遥控摄像机拍摄) 2024年巴黎奥运会第七天，在皮埃尔·莫鲁瓦体育场举行的男子小组赛B组法国队对阵德国队的比赛中，德国队的莫里茨·瓦格纳(13号)越过法国队的维克托·文班亚马(32号)上篮。
2024年8月2日，法国维尔诺夫-达斯克，2024年夏季奥运会男篮比赛中，法国队的维克托·文班亚马越过德国队的丹尼尔·泰斯投篮。(美联社照片/Mark J. Terrill)
2024年8月2日，法国维尔诺夫-达斯克，2024年夏季奥运会男篮比赛中，德国队的莫里茨·瓦格纳在法国队的维克托·文班亚马面前投篮。(Sameer Al-Doumy/通过美联社提供的泳池照片)
2024年8月2日，法国维尔诺夫-达斯克，2024年夏季奥运会男篮比赛中，法国队的维克托·文班亚马在对阵德国队的比赛中扣篮。(Gregory Shamus/通过美联社提供的泳池照片)
2024年8月2日，法国维尔诺夫-达斯克，2024年夏季奥运会男篮比赛中，法国队的维克托·文班亚马在对阵德国队的比赛中扣篮。(Sameer Al-Doumy/通过美联社提供的泳池照片)
2024年8月2日，法国维尔诺夫-达斯克，2024年夏季奥运会男篮比赛中，法国队的维克托·文班亚马在对阵德国队的比赛中扣篮。(美联社照片/Mark J. Terrill)
2024年8月2日，法国维尔诺夫-达斯克，2024年夏季奥运会男篮比赛中，法国队的维克托·文班亚马在对阵德国队的比赛中扣篮。(美联社照片/Mark J. Terrill)
点击查看原文：With no help coming for France, Wembanyama seeks improvement within
With no help coming for France, Wembanyama seeks improvement within
Daniel Theis, of Germany, reaches in on Victor Wembanyama, of France, in a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France – Unlike the case with Victor Wembanyama’s other basketball team, help isn’t on the way. The spirit and rules of the Olympics do not allow the French to trade Rudy Gobert to Finland for Lauri Markkanen.
And if there was a 39-year-old Chris Paul just hanging out on a beach somewhere in Nice, ready to play some point guard, he’d be here already.
So judging by the way things looked during a 85-69 trouncing by Germany on Friday, the reigning NBA rookie of the year is stuck with a national roster that probably isn’t good enough to medal. For Spurs fans who’d hoped to see their star start growing accustomed to winning this summer, that’s a bit of a shame.
Even so, there’s a way that this disappointment works in San Antonio’s favor in the end, because days like Friday should drive home the kind of lessons Wembanyama probably needs every now and then.
Yes, it’s a team game. Yes, supporting casts matter.
But there also are times when the star just needs to be better.
And if Wembanyama realizes that can apply to him, too?
It’s better that he learns it now than later.
“We’ve all been through this before,” he said Friday after starting 0-for-4 from the field and finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds against the Germans. “It’s about the way we’re going to respond.”
He was right about both points. With the Spurs as a rookie, he’d endured plenty of nights when his team let a game get away early and began its comeback too late. And in the end, his home country is going to remember his team for what it does in the medal round next week, not for how it got bullied around the Pierre Mauroy Stadium court in front of 27,000 fans on Friday.
But some of the details stood out, including the way Germany neutralized Wembanyama without having to throw its entire defense at him. For much of the first quarter, the 20-year-old Spur was guarded primarily by Daniel Theis, the 32-year-old NBA journeyman who played in three postseasons with the Celtics.
On the game’s opening possession, the French force-fed Wembanyama in the post. With Theis underneath him, he spun toward the baseline, lofted a mid-range jumper, and missed.
Victor Wembanyama, of France, reacts after being fouled by Germany in a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
This was a theme early on, as six France players scored before Wembanyama got his first bucket on a putback dunk midway through the second quarter. After Wembanyama noted that the French had much more success when it swung the ball around, his coach said he agreed with that assessment.
“And him, too,” Vincent Collet said. “(Wembanyama) stopped the ball too much, and against that kind of an aggressive team, you cannot play that way.”
If the Spurs saw anything familiar in the way Friday’s game unfolded, they certainly weren’t going to give any unsolicited advice to Collet about what to do next. The way they look at it, they want to extend the French national team the same courtesy during the Olympics that the French give the Spurs the rest of the year.
Even if every member of the front office and coaching staff is watching, and watching closely, they aren’t going to meddle in Les Bleus’ preparation for the quarterfinals any more than Collet weighed in on San Antonio lineups against the Lakers or Mavericks.
Instead, the Spurs sent delegations to France to support their star without interfering. General manager Brian Wright has been among those in the crowd at Pierre Mauroy Stadium during the group stage. Next week in Paris – where, perhaps not so coincidentally, there is a higher concentration of Michelin star restaurants – Gregg Popovich is expected to catch at least one medal-round game.
After the French’s loss, which should make them either the fifth or sixth seed next week, there’s a strong likelihood Wembanyama’s first game in that medal round will come in a quarterfinal matchup against undefeated Canada on Tuesday. Seedings won’t officially be determined until Group C finishes its games on Saturday, but a Team USA victory over Puerto Rico would make a France-Canada showdown a virtual lock, due to complicated drawing rules I won’t bother to bore you with here.
The bottom line: the next time Wembanyama takes the floor, his team figures to be a sizeable underdog.
As he noted Friday evening, that’s nothing new.
But with no help on the way? Fair or not, most of the improvement he needs will have to come from him.
His other team can’t wait to see if he finds it.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera positioned above the field of play) Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France dunks the ball during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera positioned above the field of play) Moritz Wagner #13 of Team Germany goes up for a basket past Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France drives past Moritz Wagner #13 of Team Germany during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera positioned above the field of play) Franz Wagner #9 of Team Germany shoots over Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Franz Wagner #9 and Moritz Wagner #13 of Team Germany defend Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Franz Wagner #9 and Moritz Wagner #13 of Team Germany defend Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France claps after the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France high fives members of Team Germany after the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Franz Wagner #9 of Team Germany drives past Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Franz Wagner #9 of Team Germany goes up for a basket past Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Daniel Theis #10 of Team Germany defends Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Daniel Theis #10 of Team Germany defends Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Moritz Wagner #13 of Team Germany defends Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Moritz Wagner #13 of Team Germany goes up for a basket past Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Moritz Wagner #13 of Team Germany goes up for a basket past Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France and Daniel Theis #10 of Team Germany jump for the opening game tip off during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Daniel Theis #10 of Team Germany defends Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera positioned above the field of play) Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France dunks the ball during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera) Moritz Wagner #13 of Team Germany goes up for a basket past Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team France during the Men’s Group Phase - Group B game between Team France and Team Germany on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 02, 2024 in Lille, France.
Victor Wembanyama, of France, shoots over Daniel Theis, of Germany, in a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Moritz Wagner, of Germany, shoots in front of Victor Wembanyama, of France, in a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (Sameer Al-Doumy/Pool Photo via AP)
Victor Wembanyama, of France, gets a dunk against Germany in a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (Gregory Shamus/Pool Photo via AP)
Victor Wembanyama, of France, gets a dunk against Germany in a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (Sameer Al-Doumy/Pool Photo via AP)
Victor Wembanyama, of France, gets a dunk against Germany in a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Victor Wembanyama, of France, gets a dunk against Germany in a men’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
By Mike Finger, Columnist, via San Antonio Express-News