By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-10-16 13:22:58
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 10 月 9 日，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队教练格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)在上半场与后卫克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)（3 号）和中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1 号）交谈。 圣安东尼奥以 107-97 击败奥兰多。
休斯顿——格雷格·波波维奇说，当他环顾马刺队的球员，看到克里斯·保罗的目光时，他有时会掐自己一下，以确保这不是在做梦。
保罗也有同样的感觉。
曾几何时，保罗是 NBA 最杰出的控球后卫，是联盟中一些最有天赋的球队（尤其是新奥尔良和洛杉矶快船）的领袖。波波维奇则是马刺队的冠军教头，每个有实力的竞争者都想击败他们。
然而，当保罗闭上眼睛回忆那些日子时，他脑海中的画面就像来自默片时代。
“说实话，我们之间的那些战斗是很久以前的事了，”保罗说。“回忆那些时光很美好，但能够在这种全新的 NBA 中打球，看看我们能做些什么，也同样令人兴奋。”
换句话说：当现在有这么多事情要做的时候，保罗对回顾过去毫无兴趣。
马刺队将于周四在休斯顿结束他们的五场季前赛，这是他们在 10 月 24 日客场挑战达拉斯独行侠队之前最后一场热身赛。
说到焕然一新的马刺队，“看看我们能做些什么”的部分仍处于进行时。
“现在是联盟的新时代，”39 岁的保罗说道，他已经进入了他在 NBA 的第 20 个赛季。“在第一场季前赛之前，你只有四次训练，而且你的名单上有 20 名球员。我们都在摸索着前进。”
至少，随着马刺队临近揭幕战，一些事情似乎开始变得清晰起来。
周二在迈阿密，马刺队迎来了所有主力球员的健康回归，这是他们第一次以完整的阵容出战。在主力阵容中，只有首发得分后卫德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)因伤缺阵。
预计瓦塞尔至少要到 11 月的第一周才能复出，因为他正在从休赛期的足部手术中恢复。
波波维奇表示，他在以 120-117 输给热火队的比赛中使用的阵容和轮换阵容在常规赛开始后不一定还会继续使用。
“我们还有很多事情需要解决，”波波维奇说。“我还没有确定一个固定的首发阵容。”
尽管如此，周二的彩排至少为波波维奇目前的想法提供了一些线索。
如果在对阵热火队时首发的五人——保罗、朱利安·尚帕尼(Julian Champagnie)、杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)、哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)和维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)——也是在揭幕战中对阵达拉斯的先发阵容，这并不奇怪。
波波维奇在上半场使用的其他轮换球员包括特雷·琼斯(Tre Jones)、斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)、凯尔登·约翰逊(Keldon Johnson)和扎克·科林斯(Zach Collins)，以及少量上场的布雷克·韦斯利(Blake Wesley)。
韦斯利在马刺队的前三场季前赛中表现出色，替补中锋桑德罗·马穆克拉什维利(Sandro Mamukelashvili)也是如此。
马穆克拉什维利在迈阿密直到下半场才上场。替补后卫马拉基·布拉纳姆(Malaki Branham)也是如此，他目前似乎已经失去了轮换阵容的位置。
如果不出意外，马刺队渴望在最后一场比赛中再次挑战火箭队。
“我认为每个人都知道如何打球——多传球，了解球队，了解团队篮球，”索汉说道，他在对阵迈阿密队的比赛中得到 18 分和 11 个篮板。“这才是最重要的。”
从球迷的角度来看，周四季前赛最后一场比赛最有趣的一点将是文班亚马能否在赛季开始前完全进入状态。
这位 NBA 现役最佳新秀在整个季前赛中都打得很少。他总共错过了两场比赛，在迈阿密只打了 17 分钟。
波波维奇表示，他预计 20 岁的文班亚马在对阵火箭队的比赛中上场时间也会减少。
“只是一些轻微的碰撞和擦伤，我们只是想稍微谨慎一些，”波波维奇在解释文班亚马的上场时间时说道。“这是一个漫长的赛季。”
文班亚马说，他赞成马刺队的季前赛计划，尽管他更愿意多打比赛。
“我信任他们，”文班亚马说。“我认为获得一些高强度的比赛时间很重要，但也要为第一场比赛做好准备。我们希望在季前赛中打出高质量的比赛，我已经准备好迎接挑战了。”
在季前赛开始之前，如果有人愿意打赌保罗在季前赛的出场时间几乎是文班亚马的两倍，那他一定会赚得盆满钵满。
截至周四，马刺队年龄最大的球员保罗在这几场无关紧要的比赛中上场时间达到了 75 分钟。而文班亚马只打了 40 分钟。
对保罗来说，这标志着他在波波维奇手下打球的又一个早期教训。这堂课仍在继续。
“看到他的执教思路，感觉真是太棒了，”保罗说。
尽管如此，保罗意识到，在这一点上，与波波维奇一起追忆往事毫无用处。
“我现在已经不是当初那个球员了，”保罗说。“他也可能不是当初那个教练了。”
现在，这两位 NBA 的老将肩负着不同的任务。下一步将在周四的休斯顿迈出。
佛罗里达州迈阿密——10 月 15 日：2024 年 10 月 15 日，在佛罗里达州迈阿密凯塞亚中心举行的季前赛第二节比赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队 1 号球员维克托·文班亚马对阵迈阿密热火队的比赛中做出反应。用户须知：用户明确承认并同意，下载或使用此照片，即表示用户同意盖蒂图片社许可协议的条款和条件。
2024 年 10 月 15 日，在迈阿密举行的 NBA 季前赛上半场，迈阿密热火队前锋尼古拉·约维奇（左二）在圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫克里斯·保罗（左一）、前锋维克多·文班亚马（1 号）和朱利安·尚帕尼（30 号）的防守下寻找进攻机会。(美联社照片/威尔弗雷多·李)
2024 年 10 月 15 日，在迈阿密举行的 NBA 季前赛上半场，迈阿密热火队后卫特里·罗齐尔三世（2 号）在圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克多·文班亚马（1 号）和朱利安·尚帕尼（30 号）的防守下投篮。(美联社照片/威尔弗雷多·李)
佛罗里达州迈阿密——10 月 15 日：2024 年 10 月 15 日，在佛罗里达州迈阿密凯塞亚中心举行的季前赛第一节比赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队 1 号球员维克托·文班亚马在对阵迈阿密热火队 13 号球员巴姆·阿德巴约的比赛中带球突破。用户须知：用户明确承认并同意，下载或使用此照片，即表示用户同意盖蒂图片社许可协议的条款和条件。
2024 年 10 月 15 日，在迈阿密举行的 NBA 季前赛下半场，迈阿密热火队后卫德鲁·史密斯（12 号）在圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫布雷克·韦斯利（14 号）和前锋扎克·科林斯的防守下投篮。(美联社照片/威尔弗雷多·李)
2024 年 10 月 15 日，在迈阿密举行的 NBA 季前赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫凯尔登·约翰逊（0 号）在迈阿密热火队后卫德鲁·史密斯（12 号）的防守下投篮时失去球权。(美联社照片/威尔弗雷多·李)
2024 年 10 月 15 日，在迈阿密举行的 NBA 季前赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔（中）在迈阿密热火队后卫佩莱·拉尔森（9 号）和约什·克里斯托弗（8 号）的防守下突破上篮。(美联社照片/威尔弗雷多·李)
点击查看原文：One last tune-up for Paul, Wembanyama and the Spurs
One last tune-up for Paul, Wembanyama and the Spurs
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to guard Chris Paul (3) and center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of their NBA preseason game with Orlando at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Oct 9, 2024. San Antonio beat Orlando 107-97.
HOUSTON – Gregg Popovich says he sometimes has to pinch himself when he looks across a Spurs huddle and sees Chris Paul staring back at him.
For his part, Paul feels like same.
Once upon a time, Paul was the NBA’s preeminent point guard, the head of the snake on some of the league’s most talented teams, New Orleans and the Los Angeles Clippers in particular. Popovich was the coach of the championship-laden Spurs, who every contender worth its salt wanted to beat.
When Paul closes his eyes and thinks about those days, however, the movie in his head feels like it comes from the silent film era.
“Those battles we had, honestly, was a long time ago,” Paul said. “It is cool to reminisce about those times, but it is also exciting to play in this sort of new NBA and see what we can do.”
To put it another way: Paul has little interest in reflecting on the past when there is so much to be done in the present.
The Spurs finish their five-game preseason slate Thursday at Houston, the final tune-up before they open the regular season Oct. 24 on the road against Dallas.
When it comes to the sort-of new-look Spurs, the “see what we can do” part remains very much a work in progress.
“It’s a new time in the league now,” said the 39-year-old Paul, who is entering his 20th NBA campaign. “You have four practices before the first preseason game and you’ve got 20 guys on the roster. We are all figuring this thing out as we go along.”
It would at least appear a few things are beginning to come into focus as the Spurs approach the opener.
Tuesday in Miami, the Spurs played with what will be their entire opening-day roster healthy and active for the first time. Among the regulars, only starting shooting guard Devin Vassell was unavailable.
Vassell is expected to be out until at least the first week of November while working his way back from offseason foot surgery.
Popovich said the lineups and rotations he used in a 120-117 defeat against the Heat might not necessarily stick once the regular season begins.
“We have all kind of things to work on,” Popovich said. “I don’t necessarily have a starting lineup that is set in stone yet.”
Still, Tuesday’s dress rehearsal at least provided some clues into Popovich’s current thinking.
It would not be surprising if the starting lineup that took the floor against the Heat – Paul, Julian Champagnie, Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes and Victor Wembanyama – is the same one that will tip things off against Dallas on opening night.
The rest of Popovich’s rotation in the first half consisted of Tre Jones, Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins, with a small dose of Blake Wesley.
Wesley had been something of a breakout performer during the Spurs’ first three preseason games, as had bench big man Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Mamukelashvili did not play until the second half in Miami. The same goes for backup guard Malaki Branham, who appears to have lost his grip on a rotation spot for now.
If nothing else, the Spurs are eager to test themselves one final time against the Rockets.
“I think everyone knows how to play – extra passes, just knows the team, knows team ball,” said Sochan, who had 18 points and 11 rebounds against Miami. “That’s what’s important.”
From a fan perspective, the most interesting angle of Thursday’s preseason finale will be whether Wembanyama can get fully up to speed before the start of the season.
The NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year has played somewhat sparingly throughout the preseason. He missed two games altogether and logged only 17 minutes in Miami.
Popovich says he expects the 20-year-old Wembanyama will see a similarly reduced workload against the Rockets.
“It’s a couple of bumps and bruises and a little bit of precaution,” Popovich said, explaining Wembanyama’s light usage. “It’s a long season.”
Wembanyama says he is on board with the Spurs’ preseason plan, even though he would rather play more.
“I trust them,” Wembanyama said. “I think it’s important to get some intense minutes, but also to be prepared for the first game. We want quality minutes in the preseason and I am ready to apply that.”
Before the preseason began, anyone willing to bet Paul would play nearly double the minutes during the preseason than Wembanyama would have made a killing.
Heading into Thursday, the Spurs’ oldest player has logged 75 minutes of meaningless basketball during the exhibition schedule. Wembanyama has played 40.
For Paul, it marks another early lesson on what it means to finally play for Popovich. That class is still ongoing.
“It’s super dope to see how he is wired,” Paul said.
Still, Paul realizes there is little use walking down memory lane with Popovich at this point.
“I am a different player now,” Paul said. “He is probably a different coach now.”
Together, the two NBA lifers have a different assignment now. The next step comes Thursday in Houston.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 15: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts against the Miami Heat during the second quarter of a preseason game at Kaseya Center on October 15, 2024 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic, second from left, looks for an opening past San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul, left, forwards Victor Wembanyama (1) and Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier III (2) goes up for a shot against San Antonio Spurs forwards Victor Wembanyama (1) and Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 15: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of a preseason game at Kaseya Center on October 15, 2024 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (12) goes up for a shot against San Antonio Spurs guard Blake Wesley (14) and forward Zach Collins during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
San Antonio Spurs guard Keldon Johnson (0) loses control of the ball as he goes up for a shot against Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (12) during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, center, drives to the basket against Miami Heat guards Pelle Larsson (9) and Josh Christopher (8) during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News