By Jeff McDonald, Staff writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-10-28 14:55:37
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 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的 Frost Bank 中心球馆，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) 在对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛下半场投篮得分后，向欢呼的人群展示了他的手臂肌肉。马刺队在他们的赛季首个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
运球一次向右，一个旋转的步伐向左，文班亚马就以不可思议的方式来到了篮下。
马刺队中锋顶着汤普森(Thompson)犯规式的防守，完成了一记近距离擦板投篮，然后他向欢呼雀跃的 Frost Bank 中心球馆的观众秀了秀自己右边的肱二头肌。
这不是一个更友善、更温柔的文班亚马，而是一个更大、更强壮的文班亚马。
“他正在理解需要付出什么，他会从对手那里得到什么，”教练格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)说，“以及他必须做出怎样的回应。”
人们不禁注意到，文班亚马的肱二头肌比上个赛季更加强壮了一些，嗯，这都是计划的一部分。
这位 20 岁的球员在休赛期为他的 7 英尺 3 英寸（约 2.21 米）的身躯增加了 10 磅（约 4.5 公斤）的肌肉，这引起了人们的广泛关注。文班亚马结束奥运会任务归来时，并没有完全像绿巨人时代的卢·费里诺(Lou Ferrigno)那样，但他增肌的效果是显而易见的。
马刺队在训练营开始时将文班亚马的体重列为 235 磅（约 106.6 公斤）。他已经感受到了不同。
“这在所有方面都有帮助，”文班亚马说，“在半场进攻中，总会有一个人贴身防守你，所以这很有帮助。这应该会帮助我们的进攻，因为我可以更容易地获得空位。我可以更容易地进行掩护。在防守端，这也会有帮助。”
在马刺队赛季揭幕战输给达拉斯的比赛中，文班亚马新获得的力量并不明显。独行侠队有一连串的大个子球员来对付文班亚马，包括丹尼尔·加福德(Daniel Gafford)、德雷克·莱弗利(Dereck Lively)和 P.J.·华盛顿(P.J. Washington)。
火箭队的阵容则相对矮小。火箭队的首发中锋是身高 6 英尺 11 英寸（约 2.11 米）的阿尔佩伦·申京(Alperen Sengun)，但他们更喜欢用 6 英尺 6 英寸（约 1.98 米）的狄龙·布鲁克斯(Dillon Brooks)和 6 英尺 7 英寸（约 2.01 米）的汤普森来防守文班亚马。
文班亚马让火箭队为此付出了代价他在这场比赛中得到了 29 分。
他在防守申京方面也取得了更大的成功，申京在他新的体重下很难背打文班亚马。
在上赛季申京与马刺队的最后一次交锋中，这位土耳其大个子球员狂砍 45 分和 16 个篮板。在马刺队周六以 109-106 获胜的比赛中，申京得到 6 分和 5 个篮板。
当谈到文班亚马统治内线时，马刺队前锋哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)说，精神上的成长可能比身体上的成长更有帮助。
“对他来说，我认为更多的是心态问题，”巴恩斯说，“很多人总是会吹毛求疵——他是重了 5 磅，还是重了 10 磅，等等。我认为这只是他想影响比赛的心态，只是有一种身体上的心态，让他走出去，成为一个真正的 7 英尺 5 英寸（约 2.26 米）的巨人，占据那个空间。”
卡斯尔在新秀对决中尽享乐趣
火箭队新秀后卫里德·谢泼德(Reed Sheppard)在选秀大会上被选中。卡斯尔(Castle)是第四顺位的球员。
“我一直想和和我同一届选秀的球员交手，尤其是知道他在我之前被选中，”卡斯尔说，“这给了我另一种优势。”
在本赛季开始之前，前肯塔基大学神射手谢泼德被认为是竞争激烈的年度最佳新秀的有力竞争者。
卡斯尔在他唯一的一个大学赛季带领康涅狄格大学获得了 NCAA 总冠军，他也应该加入到竞争中来。
尽管这两人之前从未在大学或 AAU 赛场上交手过，但卡斯尔说他一直很欣赏谢泼德。
“我是他的球迷，”卡斯尔说，“他真的很棒。”
在马刺队周六的胜利中，卡斯尔上场 27 分钟，得到 8 分和 3 次助攻，在最后 17.5 秒内 4 罚 3 中，锁定了胜局。谢泼德只出场 7 分钟，2 投 0 中。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的 Frost Bank 中心球馆，马刺队主教练格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)在对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛下半场与圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)交谈。马刺队在他们的赛季首个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
布拉汉姆在意外的出场时间中表现出色
由于替补控球后卫特雷·琼斯(Tre Jones)因脚踝扭伤将在近期缺阵，马刺队替补阵容的后场出场时间出现了空缺。
在周六的胜利中，马拉基·布拉汉姆(Malaki Branham)充分利用了他的机会。
这位三年级后卫在 14 分钟内得到 7 分，还有 2 次助攻，甚至还有 2 次盖帽——是的，你没有听错。在琼斯受伤之前，他原本预计将掉出轮换阵容。
“我们队里有很多球员都能做出贡献，”巴恩斯说，“关键在于下一个球员要做好准备，保持职业精神。这是我们球队最重要的事情之一。”
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的 Frost Bank 中心球馆，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) 在对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛下半场投篮得分后，望向欢呼的人群。马刺队在他们的赛季首个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队主场 Frost Bank 中心球馆举行的 NBA 赛季主场揭幕战中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle) (5 号) 和前锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) (1 号) 试图封盖休斯顿火箭队后卫杰伦·格林(Jalen Green) (4 号) 的投篮。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的 Frost Bank 中心球馆，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) (1 号) 在对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛下半场投篮。马刺队在他们的赛季首个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队主场 Frost Bank 中心球馆举行的 NBA 赛季主场揭幕战中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) (1 号) 在对阵休斯顿火箭队前锋小贾巴里·史密斯(Jabari Smith Jr.) 时突破上篮。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的 Frost Bank 中心球馆，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) (1 号) 在对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛下半场与休斯顿火箭队前锋狄龙·布鲁克斯(Dillon Brooks) (9 号) 发生冲突后做出了反应。马刺队在他们的赛季首个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的 Frost Bank 中心球馆，休斯顿火箭队前锋狄龙·布鲁克斯(Dillon Brooks) (9 号) 和圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) (1 号) 在比赛下半场争抢球时发生冲突，裁判和队友上前干预。马刺队在他们的赛季首个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
在 2024 年 10 月 26 日，圣安东尼奥马刺队主场 Frost Bank 中心球馆举行的 NBA 赛季主场揭幕战中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克多·文班亚马抢到一个篮板，而休斯顿火箭队前锋狄龙·布鲁克斯(Dillon Brooks) 继续抢球。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的 Frost Bank 中心球馆，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) (1 号) 在对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛下半场将球传给圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋朱利安·尚帕尼(Julian Champagnie) (30 号) (图中未显示)，后者投出一记三分球。马刺队在他们的赛季首个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的 Frost Bank 中心球馆，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) (1 号) 在对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛下半场，从休斯顿火箭队中锋阿尔佩伦·申京(Alperen Sengun) (28 号) 头上投篮。马刺队在他们的赛季首个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) 在主场 Frost Bank 中心球馆举行的 NBA 赛季主场揭幕战上半场防守休斯顿火箭队后卫阿门·汤普森(Amen Thompson) (1 号) 的进攻。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) (1 号) 在主场 Frost Bank 中心球馆举行的 NBA 赛季主场揭幕战上半场接球，而休斯顿火箭队后卫里德·谢泼德(Reed Sheppard) (15 号) 正在防守他。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，圣安东尼奥马刺队教练格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich) 在主场 Frost Bank 中心球馆举行的 NBA 赛季主场揭幕战上半场与前锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) 交谈。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama) 在主场 Frost Bank 中心球馆举行的 NBA 赛季主场揭幕战上半场隔扣休斯顿火箭队前锋卡姆·怀特莫尔(Cam Whitmore) (7 号)。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的 Frost Bank 中心球馆，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle) (5 号) 在对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛下半场试图从小贾巴里·史密斯(Jabari Smith Jr.) (10 号) 头上投篮。马刺队在他们的赛季首个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle) (5 号) 在主场 Frost Bank 中心球馆举行的 NBA 赛季主场揭幕战上半场祝贺前锋哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes) (40 号) 投中一记三分球。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle) (5 号) 在主场 Frost Bank 中心球馆举行的 NBA 赛季主场揭幕战上半场试图突破休斯顿火箭队后卫弗雷德·范弗利特(Fred VanVleet) (5 号) 的防守。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的 Frost Bank 中心球馆，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫马拉基·布拉汉姆(Malaki Branham) (22 号) 在上半场试图从休斯顿火箭队中锋乔克·兰代尔(Jock Landale) (2 号) 头上投篮。
2024 年 10 月 26 日，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle) (5 号) 在主场 Frost Bank 中心球馆举行的 NBA 赛季主场揭幕战上半场扣篮得分后与后卫马拉基·布拉汉姆(Malaki Branham) (22 号) 庆祝。
点击查看原文：Added muscle paying early dividends for Spurs' Victor Wembanyama
Added muscle paying early dividends for Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama
After making a shot against the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) flexes his arm and looks towards the cheering crowd during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
One dribble to the right, one sweeping, spinning step to the left and Wembanyama was somehow already at the rim.
The Spurs center finished a short bank shot through foul-worthy contact from Thompson, then celebrated by flexing his right biceps for the cheering Frost Bank Center crowd.
This was not a kinder, gentler Wembanyama but a bigger, stronger one.
“He’s understanding what it takes, what he’s going to get (from opponents),” coach Gregg Popovich said, “and what he has to give back.”
One could not help but notice Wembanyama’s biceps to be a little more muscular than they were last season, and well, that’s all part of the plan.
Much ado has been made of the 10 pounds of muscle the 20-year-old packed onto his 7-foot-3 frame over the offseason. Wembanyama did not return from Olympic duty resembling a Hulk-era Lou Ferrigno exactly, but the added definition was noticeable.
The Spurs listed Wembanyama at 235 pounds to start training camp. He has already felt the difference.
“It helps in everything,” Wembanyama said. “In half-court offense, we always have a guy touching you, so it helps. It should help our offense because I can get open more easily. I can do screens more easily. Defensively, it’s going to help too.”
Wembanyama’s newfound physicality was less evident in the Spurs’ season-opening loss at Dallas. The Mavericks had a conga line of big men to run at Wembanyama, including Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively and P.J. Washington.
Houston is built smaller. The Rockets start a 6-11 center in Alperen Sengun, but preferred to defend Wembanyama with the likes of the 6-6 Dillon Brooks and 6-7 Thompson.
Wembanyama made the Rockets pay on his way to 29 points.
He also enjoyed better success defending Sengun, who had a bit of trouble backing down Wembanyama at his new weight.
In Sengun’s final meeting with the Spurs last season, the Turkish big man detonated for 45 points and 16 rebounds. Sengun had six points and five boards in the Spurs’ 109-106 win on Saturday.
When it comes to Wembanyama dominating the paint, Spurs forward Harrison Barnes said mental growth might be more of an asset than his physical growth.
“With him, I think it’s more mentality than anything,” Barnes said. “A lot of people are going to always nit-pick – is he five pounds bigger, 10 pounds bigger, whatever. I think it’s just his mentality to impact the game, just having a physical mindset to go out there and be all of 7-5 and take up that space.”
Castle enjoys early rookie showdown
Rockets rookie guard Reed Sheppard was selected third overall. Castle was fourth.
“I always want to play somebody in my draft class, especially knowing that he’s drafted ahead of me,” Castle said. “It just gives me another edge.”
Heading into the season, Sheppard – a former Kentucky sharpshooter – was considered the consensus favorite in what should be a wide-open Rookie of the Year race.
Castle, who led Connecticut to an NCAA national championship in his lone collegiate season, should also be in the mix.
Though the two never faced each other in college or on the AAU circuit before that, Castle said he has always admired Sheppard from afar.
“I’m a fan of his game,” Castle said. “Real good player.”
Castle scored eight points with three assists in 27 minutes of the Spurs’ victory Saturday, hitting 3 of 4 foul shots in the final 17.5 seconds to ice the win. Sheppard logged only seven minutes and went 0-for-2.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talked with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
Branham delivers in surprise minutes
With second string point guard Tre Jones on the shelf for the near future with an ankle sprain, backcourt minutes have opened up among the Spurs’ backup unit.
Malaki Branham made the most of his in Saturday’s victory.
The third-year guard, who was projected to be out of the rotation before Jones’ injury, scored seven points in 14 minutes, with a pair of assists and – yes – even two blocked shots.
“We have so many guys on this team who can contribute,” Barnes said. “It’s about the next man staying ready and being professional. That’s one of the biggest things on our team.”
After making a shot against the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) looks towards the cheering crowd during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) and forward Victor Wembanyama (1) try to block a shot by Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the second half of their NBA home opener with the Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) goes to the basket over Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. during the second half of their NBA home opener with the Ho Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after tussling on the floor with Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
Referees and teammates intervene as Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) tussle while fighting for the ball during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama holds on to a rebound as Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks continues to grab for the ball during the second half of the Spurs NBA home opener with the Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) passes the ball out to San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30), not pictured, for a three-pointer against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots over Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama guards gthe basket against Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1)during the first half of their NBA home opener at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) catches a pass while being defended by Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks with forward Victor Wembanyama during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama dunks a ball over Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (7) during the first half of their NBA home opener at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) shoots over Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) congratulates forward Harrison Barnes (40) for making a 3-pointer during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) looks to drive past Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) during the first half of their NBA home opener at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham (22) shoots over Houston Rockets center Jock Landale (2) during the first half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) celebrates with guard Malaki Branham (22) after a dunk during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
By Jeff McDonald, Staff writer, via San Antonio Express-News
