By Jeff McDonald, Staff writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-10-24 14:39:50
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 7 日，星期一，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫克里斯·保罗（3 号）、中锋维克多·文班亚马（1 号）、前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40 号）和前锋凯尔登·约翰逊（0 号）在观看队友在下半场对阵俄克拉荷马城雷霆队的比赛时交谈。马刺队以 107-112 不敌雷霆队。
这位五年级后卫正处于休赛期足部手术恢复的后期阶段，需要在他的康复计划中进行额外的训练。
当瓦塞尔路过力量房时，他注意到了一些意想不到的清晨活动。球队中年龄最大的两名球员——39 岁的克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)和 32 岁的哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)——在新赛季开始前的最后一个休息日进行着力量训练。
“他们向我们灌输了这种职业道德，而我们也看到了这一点，这对我们来说意义重大，”瓦塞尔说。“他们只是以身作则。这就是我们一直缺少的那种领导力。”
马刺队在休赛期签下了保罗，并通过交易得到了巴恩斯，目的是为了在球场上取得更好的成绩。作为 NBA 现役助攻王，保罗是 12 届全明星球员，被认为是他那一代人中最优秀的挡拆控球后卫。巴恩斯一直是萨克拉门托国王队中一位稳健可靠的前锋，他曾证明自己有能力偶尔命中接球就投的三分球。
马刺队相信这两名球员可以用他们的表现帮助球队赢得比赛，尤其是在焦灼的第四节，也许从周四在达拉斯举行的赛季揭幕战就会开始。
然而，保罗和巴恩斯的到来对马刺队原本年轻的更衣室来说可能意义更重大，因为这里的年轻人还不够成熟。
但假以时日，再加上有人为他们指明方向，他们就能做到。
这一切都要从黎明前的力量训练开始。
“我认为最重要的是养成习惯，”巴恩斯说。“这关乎你如何每天不断进步，并根据内部标准来评判自己，而不是试图寻求外部认可。这就是你在联盟中每天都在努力做的事情。”
值得注意的是，在维克多·文班亚马时代的第一个完整休赛期，马刺队最重要的两笔引援是一对经过认证的 NBA 成长型球员，他们都拥有稳定的领导能力。
保罗即将迎来他的第 20 个赛季，这是 NBA 历史上只有 10 名球员达到的里程碑。巴恩斯即将开始他的第 12 个赛季，他是球队阵容中唯一一位拥有 NBA 总冠军头衔的球员，他曾在 2016 年随金州勇士队夺冠。
除了这两人之外，球队阵容中年龄第三大的球员是 26 岁的替补中锋扎克·科林斯(Zach Collins)。
“他们就在那里帮助我们，教导我们，”前锋凯尔登·约翰逊(Keldon Johnson)谈到保罗和巴恩斯时说道。“拥有像他们这样的老将对我们这样的年轻球队来说意义重大。”
在文班亚马精彩的新秀赛季中，马刺队取得了 22 胜 60 负的战绩，之后球队的管理层引进了两名赢家，来教导年轻球员如何取得胜利。
马刺队主教练格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)与巴恩斯颇有渊源，巴恩斯曾在 2019 年作为美国国家队的一员首次为波波维奇打球。尽管美国男篮在中国令人失望地获得了第七名，但巴恩斯的职业精神和成熟给波波维奇留下了深刻印象。
“他是一位领袖，也是一位出色的队友，”波波维奇说。“从那时起，我就一直想办法把他带到这里。”
与此同时，波波维奇说，当他看到保罗领导球队进行战术讨论时，他仍然会时不时地掐自己一下。
“他非常聪明，经验非常丰富，”波波维奇说。“有时，我只是听他跟球员们说话，就会听得入迷，心想‘我应该早点想到这一点’。他指导他们的方式很好，而且是以正确的方式。”
波波维奇在季前赛中只让保罗出场了三次，以此来减少他年龄最大的这名球员的身体损耗。
然而，保罗的声带并没有得到休息。
即使在那两场保罗没有穿球衣的比赛中，他也会坐在板凳席上，介于瓦塞尔和文班亚马之间，谈论着比赛。在暂停期间，他会从板凳席上站起来，给这个或那个球员下达指示。
在保罗来到圣安东尼奥的一个多月里，球员们已经学会了辨认他的声音。他们几乎在睡梦中都能听到他的声音。
“他甚至在（九月份的）公开训练中也这么做，”新秀后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)说。“他无时无刻不在努力教导或指导比赛。”
今年 7 月，当保罗与马刺队签约时，他曾说过一句名言，说他是来圣安东尼奥“打球”的，而不是来执教的。
然而，他在工作最初几周的表现表明，他并不介意同时戴上教练这顶帽子。
保罗的指导对卡斯尔来说意义最为重大，卡斯尔是去年 6 月选秀大会的 4 号秀，预计将在未来几个赛季接任球队的首发控球后卫。
在过去的几周里，卡斯尔花了大量时间向保罗请教各种问题，从挡拆防守到比赛日的准备，再到小睡的重要性。
“我只是想依靠他的指导和建议，”卡斯尔说。“他给了我很大的帮助，我知道他也给了很多其他球员很大的帮助。”
2024 年 10 月 12 日，星期六，在圣安东尼奥举行的 NBA 篮球赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队主教练格雷格·波波维奇（右）与马刺队后卫克里斯·保罗（3 号）交谈。（美联社照片/达伦·阿巴特）
保罗很快指出，这种教导是双向的。
“我认为比赛一直在变化，”保罗说。“年复一年进入联盟的球员们，他们已经在学习新的动作了。与他们合作、向他们学习总是很有趣的事情。”
说到巴恩斯和保罗，年轻的马刺队球员都渴望追随他们的脚步。
他们希望更多胜利也会随之而来。
“为了让我们能够更进一步，我们需要能够让我们变得更好的领袖和老将，”瓦塞尔说。“那些家伙经历过这一切，也见识过这一切。他们能够帮助我们实现转变。”
2024 年 10 月 7 日，星期一，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马（1 号）坐在他的新队友后卫克里斯·保罗（3 号）和前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40 号）之间，面带微笑地观看下半场对阵俄克拉荷马城雷霆队的比赛。马刺队以 107-112 不敌雷霆队。
2024 年 10 月 15 日，星期二，在迈阿密举行的 NBA 季前赛上半场，迈阿密热火队前锋吉米·巴特勒（22 号）和圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫克里斯·保罗在争抢一个地板球。（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西中心举行的季前赛第三节，圣安东尼奥马刺队的克里斯·保罗（3 号）在对阵迈阿密热火队的比赛中运球。
德克萨斯州休斯顿 - 10 月 17 日：2024 年 10 月 17 日，在德克萨斯州休斯顿丰田中心举行的季前赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队的哈里森·巴恩斯（40 号）与休斯顿火箭队的塔里·伊森（17 号）展开争夺。
2024 年 10 月 17 日，星期四，在休斯顿举行的 NBA 季前赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40 号）在对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中投篮。（美联社照片/埃里克·克里斯蒂安·史密斯）
2024 年 10 月 17 日，星期四，在休斯顿举行的 NBA 季前赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋桑德罗·马穆克拉什维利（54 号）、前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40 号）和休斯顿火箭队前锋塔里·伊森（右）在争抢篮板球。（美联社照片/埃里克·克里斯蒂安·史密斯）
2024 年 10 月 12 日，星期六，在圣安东尼奥举行的 NBA 篮球赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40 号）带球突破犹他爵士队前锋科迪·威廉姆斯。（美联社照片/达伦·阿巴特）
在 2024 年 10 月 7 日，星期一，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 季前赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40 号）带球冲向篮筐，俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋杰伦·威廉姆斯（8 号）防守他。
点击查看原文：With Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, Spurs play follow the leaders
With Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, Spurs play follow the leaders
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3), center Victor Wembanyama (1), forward Harrison Barnes (40) and forward Keldon Johnson (0) talk as they watch their teammates take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of a pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
The fifth-year guard was in the late stages of recovering from offseason foot surgery and needed extra work on his rehabilitation program.
As Vassell walked by the weight room, he noticed some unexpected early-morning activity. The team’s two oldest players – 39-year-old Chris Paul and 32-year-old Harrison Barnes – were getting in a lift on their final day off before the grind of a new season commenced.
“Just them instilling that work ethic and us seeing that, it’s huge for us,” Vassell said. “They’re just leading by example. That’s the kind of leadership we’ve been missing.”
The Spurs signed Paul and traded for Barnes over the offseason in order to bring better results on the floor. The NBA’s active assists leader, Paul is a 12-time All-Star considered perhaps the best pick-and-roll point guard of his generation. Barnes had been a steady a reliable forward for an up-and-coming Sacramento squad who has proven capable of knocking down the occasional catch-and-shoot 3-pointer.
The Spurs believe those two players can help win games with their play, especially in tight fourth quarters, perhaps beginning with Thursday’s season opener in Dallas.
Yet the presence of Paul and Barnes might turn out to be even more significant in the Spurs’ otherwise youthful locker room, where the kids are not yet alright.
But they could be, given time and someone to show them the way.
It started with near-dawn weight lifting sessions.
“I think the biggest thing is just establishing habits,” Barnes said. “It’s how you continue to get better every day and judge yourself on an internal metric versus trying to see external approval. That’s what you’re trying to do every single day in the league.”
It is worth noting the two most notable additions the Spurs made during the first full offseason of the Victor Wembanyama era are a pair of certified NBA grown-ups with a track record of steady leadership.
Paul is entering his 20th season, a milestone only 10 other players in league history have reached. Barnes is starting his 12th campaign and is the only player on the roster with an NBA title on his resume, having won with Golden State in 2016.
Outside of those two, the next oldest player on the roster is 26-year-old backup center Zach Collins.
“They’re just out there helping us out and teaching us,” forward Keldon Johnson said of Paul and Barnes. “Having vets like that is huge for a young team like us.”
After posting a 22-60 record in Wembanyama’s otherwise scintillating rookie season, the Spurs’ front office went out and imported a pair of winners to teach younger players how to win.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has a long history with Barnes, who first played for him as a member of Team USA at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Popovich was quickly impressed with Barnes’ sense of professionalism and maturity despite USA Basketball’s disappointing seventh-place finish in China.
“He’s a leader and a great teammate,” Popovich said. “I’ve been trying to figure out a way to get him here ever since.”
Meanwhile, Popovich says he still has to pinch himself every now and then when he sees Paul leading a team huddle.
“He’s so wise and has so much experience,” Popovich said. “Sometimes I get mesmerized just listening to him say things to players. An ‘I should have thought of that’ kind of thing. He mentors them well, and he does it the right way.”
Popovich limited Paul to only three appearances during the preseason, as a way to keep some wear and tear off the body of his eldest player.
Paul’s vocal cords did not get a breather, however.
Even in the pair of contests Paul stayed in street clothes, he spent time on the bench between Vassell and Wembanyama, talking over the game. During timeouts, he was up off the bench to give instructions to this player or that.
In the month-plus Paul has been in San Antonio, players have learned to recognize his voice. They practically hear it their sleep.
“He was doing it even in open gym (in September),” rookie guard Stephon Castle said. “There is not any time that he is not trying to teach or coach the game.”
When Paul signed with the Spurs in July, Paul famously said he was coming to San Antonio to “hoop” – not coach.
His actions through the first few weeks on the job suggest he doesn’t necessarily mind wearing the latter hat, too.
Paul’s mentorship might mean the most to Castle, the No. 4 pick in last June’s draft who is projected to take over as the team’s starting point guard in future seasons.
Castle has spent much of the past few weeks picking Paul’s brain about everything from pick-and-roll coverages to game-day preparations to the importance of a good nap.
“I’m just trying to lean on him for guidance and advice,” Castle said. “He has been a big help to me and I know he has been a big help to a lot of the other guys.”
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, right, speaks with Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Paul is quick to point out the teaching goes both ways.
“I think the game is forever changing,” Paul said. “Guys that come in the league year after year, they’re already learning new moves. It’s always fun to collaborate with that, but also learn from it.”
When it comes to Barnes and Paul, the younger Spurs are eager to play follow the leaders.
They hope more wins will follow in turn.
“For us to be able take that next step, we need leaders and veterans who are going to make us better,” Vassell said. “Those guys have been though it and seen it all. They’ll be able to help us turn that corner.”
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) smiles as he sits between his new teammates guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) and San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul chase down a loose ball during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 15: Chris Paul #3 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball against the Miami Heat during the third quarter of a preseason game at Kaseya Center on October 15, 2024 in Miami, Florida.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 17: Harrison Barnes #40 of the San Antonio Spurs and Tari Eason #17 of the Houston Rockets battle during the first half of a preseason game at Toyota Center on October 17, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots against the Houston Rockets during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54), forward Harrison Barnes (40), and Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason, right, compete for a rebound during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) drives against Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) drives towards the net as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) guards him in the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
By Jeff McDonald, Staff writer, via San Antonio Express-News