By Tom Orsborn | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-10-29 14:44:46
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。
2023年11月14日星期二，在俄克拉荷马城举行的NBA季中锦标赛篮球比赛上半场，俄克拉荷马城前锋切特·霍姆格伦（左）运球，圣安东尼奥中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1号）防守。
俄克拉荷马城——每当拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克和达米安·利拉德对决时，斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)都会对当时的兴奋感记忆犹新。
“我一直是他们比赛的忠实粉丝，所以当他们交手时，那真是太精彩了……非常好看，”他说。
周三晚上，这位新秀后卫将在场边近距离观看另一场不容错过的对决，届时文班亚马将率领马刺队迎战切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)和快速崛起的俄克拉荷马城雷霆队。
这是两队本赛季三次交锋中的第一次，所有人的目光，包括ESPN的全国观众，都将集中在这两位瘦长的二年级7尺长人身上。
“两个大个子互掐，”马刺队替补中锋扎克·科林斯(Zach Collins)说。“现在已经很少看到这种情况了，所以看起来很有趣。有点像非常老派的感觉，两个大个子互掐，两个重量级人物，而且看起来这两个人都喜欢这种对决，并且非常认真对待。”
今年2月，文班亚马在弗罗斯特银行中心击败霍姆格伦，几乎锁定了年度最佳新秀的荣誉后，对着现场麦克风爆粗口庆祝胜利，情绪激动。
这位法国人以28分、13个篮板、7次助攻、5次盖帽和2次抢断的成绩领跑马刺队，成为该奖项的明显领跑者。他17投9中，其中三分球7投5中。
霍姆格伦则得到23分、7个篮板、5次助攻和1次盖帽，但三分球4投仅1中。在那场比赛的最后几分钟，文班亚马连续命中两记三分球，并在对手在弧顶跳投时用巨大的双手送出一记盖帽，为自己的表现画上了句号。
在任何其他赛季，霍姆格伦都会是NBA的最佳新秀，他帮助雷霆队取得了57胜25负的战绩，并以场均16.5分、7.9个篮板、2.4次助攻和2.3次盖帽的全勤82场比赛的成绩，成为西部联盟的头号种子。
但尽管文班亚马效力于一支22胜60负的球队，但他以场均21.4分、10.6个篮板、3.9次助攻、联盟最高的3.6次盖帽和1.2次抢断的成绩（出场71场），最终全票当选最佳新秀。
2023 年 10 月 9 日星期一，在俄克拉荷马城举行的 NBA 季前赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马（上）隔扣俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋切特·霍姆格伦。（美联社照片/Sarah Phipps）
上赛季，文班亚马和霍姆格伦一共交手三次，霍姆格伦赢了两次。在他们的交锋中，文班亚马场均得到20.0分、13.0个篮板、4.3次助攻、3.7次盖帽和1.0次抢断，而霍姆格伦场均得到16.3分、7.7个篮板、4.0次助攻、1.7次盖帽和1.0次抢断。
正如任何一场精彩的对抗一样，他们互相激励，变得更好。
“参与其中很有趣，很高兴看到文班在与霍姆格伦的比赛中拥有这种动力，并努力占据上风，”科林斯说。
霍姆格伦也是如此，他本赛季迄今为止表现出色，场均得到23.7分、13.0个篮板、3.0次助攻、1.3次抢断和联盟最高的4.0次盖帽。在贡扎加大学校友和全明星球员谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大(Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)（场均28.7分）的带领下，雷霆队目前3胜0负，拥有NBA最好的防守（场均失分95.3分）。
阅读更多： 马刺和火箭的比赛火药味十足的三点总结
“他们一直在打非常好的篮球，”文班亚马说。“我已经看了他们目前为止的所有比赛。这始终是一个很好的挑战。”
以霍姆格伦现在的状态，挑战可能会比以往任何时候都更加严峻。在俄克拉荷马城赛季揭幕战102-87战胜丹佛的比赛中，他在攻防两端都表现出色，面对三届联盟MVP尼古拉·约基奇（得到16分的三双），他砍下25分、平职业生涯最高的14个篮板、5次助攻和4次盖帽。
“他与约基奇寸步不离，后者身体对抗非常强，尤其是在无球状态下，在篮板上等等，而他真的没有退缩，”雷霆队教练马克·戴格诺特(Mark Daigneault)说。
霍姆格伦已经进入赛季中期状态，而文班亚马在繁忙的夏季代表法国参加奥运会之后，加上季前赛出场时间不多，仍在努力摆脱状态的“锈迹”。在周六战胜休斯顿的比赛中得到29分、7个篮板和3次盖帽后，他在周一晚上106-101输给火箭的比赛中得到14分、20个篮板、5次助攻和4次盖帽，加入蒂姆·邓肯、大卫·罗宾逊和丹尼斯·罗德曼的行列，成为队史仅有的几位在多场比赛中得到20个篮板和5次助攻的球员。
总的来说，文班亚马在1胜2负的马刺队中场均得到20.0分、12.0个篮板、2.3次助攻和2.7次盖帽。在周一得到14分、20个篮板、5次助攻和4次盖帽后，他的数据无疑令人印象深刻，但还没有达到上赛季创下的历史性水平。他的投篮效率也一直很低，场均出手6.0次三分球，命中率仅为22.2%。
“我没事。我状态很好，”文班亚马说。“但现在只是要重新适应比赛，适应我的队友，适应球队防守我们的不同方式，不同的策略。随着赛季的进行，每个人都会变得更好。”
哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)知道文班亚马也会如此。这位32岁的前锋和马刺队的一年级球员曾在金州勇士队与三位未来的名人堂成员斯蒂芬·库里、克莱·汤普森和德雷蒙德·格林一起打球，所以他对在NBA取得伟大成就所需的心态略知一二。
“我很幸运能和很多伟大的球员一起打球，我认为他有能力和动力变得伟大，”巴恩斯谈到文班亚马时说。“他想做任何事，追求卓越。这就是他成为独特球员的原因。”
至于卡斯尔，他希望有一天人们也会这样评价他。但就目前而言，他很高兴能近距离观看两位天赋异禀的球员之间的较量。
“在最高水平的篮球比赛中拥有这样的对抗是你梦寐以求的事情，”他说。“这不像你是在针对任何人。我觉得这是自然而然发生的。但拥有这样的对抗，足以说明这两位球员的优秀。”
俄克拉荷马城，俄克拉荷马州 - 11 月 14 日：2023 年 11 月 14 日，在俄克拉荷马城 Paycom 中心举行的 NBA 季中锦标赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队的维克托·文班亚马 1 号与俄克拉荷马城雷霆队的切特·霍姆格伦 7 号跳球。
2023年11月14日星期二，在俄克拉荷马城举行的NBA季中锦标赛篮球比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1号）背运，俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)（右）防守。（美联社照片/Nate Billings）
2023年11月14日星期二，在俄克拉荷马城举行的NBA季中锦标赛篮球比赛上半场，俄克拉荷马城前锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)（左）运球，圣安东尼奥中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)防守。（美联社照片/Nate Billings）
2023 年 11 月 14 日星期二，在俄克拉荷马城举行的 NBA 季中锦标赛篮球比赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（右后）盖掉了俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)（7号）的投篮，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋扎克·科林斯(Zach Collins)（23号）在俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋肯里奇·威廉姆斯(Kenrich Williams)（34号）附近防守。（美联社照片/Nate Billings）
2024年1月24日星期三，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的NBA比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1号）隔着俄克拉荷马城中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)投篮。
2024 年 1 月 24 日星期三，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（右）试图突破俄克拉荷马城中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)的防守。
2024 年 1 月 24 日星期三，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1号）起跳封盖俄克拉荷马城雷霆队中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)（7号）的投篮。俄克拉荷马城以 140-114 击败马刺。
2024 年 1 月 24 日星期三，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（右）运球突破俄克拉荷马城雷霆队中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)的防守。
2024年1月24日星期三，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的NBA比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1号）隔扣俄克拉荷马城中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)。文班亚马为马刺队得到全队最高的24分、12个篮板和4次盖帽，但马刺队以140-114输给了雷霆队。
2024 年 1 月 24 日星期三，在弗罗斯特银行中心与俄克拉荷马城雷霆队的 NBA 比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1号）隔着俄克拉荷马城雷霆队中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)（左）投篮。
2024年2月29日星期四，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的NBA比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1号）隔着俄克拉荷马城雷霆队后卫谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大(Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)（2号）和中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)投篮。圣安东尼奥以132-118击败俄克拉荷马城。
2024 年 2 月 29 日星期四，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（左）隔着俄克拉荷马城雷霆队中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)上篮。文班亚马为马刺队得到全队最高的 28 分，帮助圣安东尼奥以 132-118 击败俄克拉荷马城。
2024 年 2 月 29 日星期四，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 比赛下半场，俄克拉荷马城雷霆队中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)（左）试图绕过圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)投篮。圣安东尼奥以 132-118 击败俄克拉荷马城。
2024 年 2 月 29 日星期四，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 比赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1号）盖掉了俄克拉荷马城雷霆队中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)（7号）的跳投。圣安东尼奥以 132-118 击败俄克拉荷马城。
2024 年 1 月 24 日星期三，在弗罗斯特银行中心举行的 NBA 比赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1号）隔着俄克拉荷马城中锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)（7号）投篮。俄克拉荷马城以 140-114 击败马刺。
点击查看原文：Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, Thunder's Chet Holmgren set to renew rivalry
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, Thunder’s Chet Holmgren set to renew rivalry
Oklahoma City forward Chet Holmgren, left, dribbles as San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama (1) defends during the first half of an NBA in-season tournament basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Oklahoma City.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Stephon Castle has fond memories of the excitement he experienced whenever Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard would square off.
“I was always a big fan of their games, so when they played each other it was great…great to watch,” he said.
On Wednesday night, the rookie guard will have a front row seat for another must-see rivalry when Victor Wembanyama leads the Spurs against Chet Holmgren and the fast-starting Oklahoma City Thunder.
It’s the first of three meetings between the teams this season, and all eyes, including a national audience on ESPN, will be focused on the slender second-year 7-footers.
“Two big guys going at it,” Spurs backup center Zach Collins said. “You don’t really see that too much anymore, so it is fun to watch. Kind of has a very old-school feel to it, two bigs going at it, two heavyweights, and it seems like both of those guys like that matchup and they take it personal.”
Wemanyama’s emotions erupted in February when he celebrated a win over the Thunder by shouting an expletive into a live house microphone at the Frost Bank Center after outdueling Holmgren to all but secure rookie of the year honors.
The Frenchman emerged as the clear leader in the race for the trophy by pacing the Spurs with 28 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks and two steals. He hit 9 of 17 from the field, including 5 for 7 from 3-point range.
Holmgren countered with 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists and one block but finished just 1-of-4 from distance on a night when Wembanyama punctuated consecutive 3-pointers in the closing minutes with a block he captured in his huge hands on his rival’s jumper from the top of the key.
In any other season, Holmgren would have been the NBA’s top rookie after he helped lift the Thunder to a 57-25 record and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference by posting 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks while playing in all 82 games.
But despite playing for a team that finished 22-60, Wembanyama was the unanimous winner after averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, a league-best 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game over 71 games.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, top, dunks over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sarah Phipps)
In all, Wembanyama and Holmgren faced off three times last season, with Holmgren winning twice. In their meetings, Wembanyama averaged 20.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 4.3 assist, 3.7 blocks and 1.0 steals, while Holmgren averaged 16.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals.
As with any good rivalry, they pushed each other to be better.
“It’s fun to be a part of and it’s good to see Vic have that motivation going against (Holmgren) and trying to get that upper hand,” Collins said.
The same is true of Holmgren, who has been dominant so far this season with averages of 23.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and a league-best 4.0 blocks. Fueled by the Gonzaga alumnus and All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 28.7 points, the Thunder are 3-0 and own the NBA’s best defense (95.3 points per game).
READ MORE: 3 Takeaways as Spurs and Rockets get chippy
“They’ve been playing really good basketball,” Wembanyama said. “I’ve watched all their games so far. It’s always a good challenge.”
With the way Holmgren is playing, the challenge could be steeper than ever. In Oklahoma City’s season-opening 102-87 win over Denver, he was outstanding on both ends of the floor, finishing with 25 points, a career-high-tying 14 rebounds, five assists and four blocks against three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic, who had a 16-point triple double.
“He went minute-to-minute with Jokic, who is incredibly physical, especially off the ball, on the glass, stuff like that, and really did not flinch,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
While Holmgren is already in mid-season form, Wembanyama is still shaking off rust after a busy summer staring for France in the the Olympics followed by preseason in which he played sparingly. After finishing Saturday’s win over Houston with 29 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, he had 14 points, 20 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in Monday night’s 106-101 loss to the Rockets to join Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Dennis Rodman as the only players in franchise history with 20 rebounds and five assists in multiple games.
Overall, Wembanyama is averaging 20.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.7 blocks for the 1-2 Spurs after finishing Monday with 14 points, 20 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. Impressive numbers for sure but not up to the historic ones he posted last season. He’s also been plagued by inefficient shooting, hitting just 22.2% from 3-point range on 6.0 attempts per outing.
“I’m OK. I’m in shape,” Wembanyama said. “But now it’s just getting used to playing again, my teammates, the different ways teams guard us, different strategies. Everybody’s going to get better as the season goes on.”
Harrison Barnes knows that will be true of Wembanyama. The 32-year-old forward and first-year Spur played in Golden State with a trio of future Hall of Famers in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, so he knows a thing for two about the mindset needed to achieve greatness in the NBA.
“I’ve definitely been fortunate to play with a lot of great players, and I think he has that ability and that drive to be great,” Barnes said of Wembanyama. “He wants to do everything, to pursue excellence. That’s what makes him the unique player he is.”
As for Castle, he hopes the same will be said of him someday. But for now, he’s happy to get an up-close look at two generational talents battle.
“To have that kind of rivalry at the highest level of basketball is something you can dream of,” he said. “It’s not like you are singling anybody out. I feel like it happens organically. But to have a rivalry like that, it speaks highly of both players.”
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 14: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs jumps for the tipoff against Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fist half in an NBA In-Season Tournament game at Paycom Center on November 14, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dribbles behind his back as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, right, defends during the first half of an NBA in-season tournament basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City forward Chet Holmgren, left, dribbles as San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama defends during the first half of an NBA in-season tournament basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, back right, blocks a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) as San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins (23) defends near Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams (34) during the second half of an NBA in-season tournament basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots over Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren during the first half of their NBA game at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, right, tries to drive past Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren during the first half of their NBA game at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) goes up to block a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of their NBA game at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Oklahoma City beat the Spurs 140-114.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, right, drives to the basket over Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren during the first half of their NBA game at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) throws down a slam over Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren during the first half of their NBA game at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Wembanyama led the Spurs with 24 points, 12 bebounds and 4 blocked shots though the Spurs fell to the Thunder 140-114.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, left, during the first half of their NBA game with the Oklahoma Thunder at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) makes a basket over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and center Chet Holmgren during the first half of their NBA game at the Frost Bank Center on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 132-118l
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, goes to the basket over Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren during the first half of their NBA game at the Frost Bank Center on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Wembanyama led the Spurs with 28 points to help San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 132-118.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, left, tries to shoot around San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the second half of their NBA game at the Frost Bank Center on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 132-118.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a jump shot by Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) during the second half of their NBA game at the Frost Bank Center on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 132-118.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) arcs a shot over Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren (7) during the second half of their NBA game at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Oklahoma City beat the Spurs 140-114.
By Tom Orsborn, via San Antonio Express-News