By Jeff McDonald, Staff writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-12-16 14:19:13
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。
德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥 - 12月15日：圣安东尼奥马刺队的1号球员维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)在2024年12月15日于德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的弗罗斯特银行中心举行的下半场比赛中对阵明尼苏达森林狼队完成扣篮。
进入NBA生涯第二个赛季的第26场比赛，维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)瞥了一眼西部联盟排名，并没有感到作呕的冲动。
在马刺队不断重建成为季后赛竞争者的过程中，这算得上是一种进步。
“这与去年大不相同，”文班亚马说道。
这并不是说在法国长大的文班从小就梦想成为一支胜率五成、在西部并列第11名的球队的一员，而这正是13胜13负的马刺队在周一的联盟比赛开始前的处境。
与文班新秀赛季26场比赛后的马刺队相比，差别是显而易见的。
上赛季这个时候，马刺队4胜22负，除了仅存的一丝尊严外，一无所有。
德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥 - 12月15日：圣安东尼奥马刺队的1号球员维克托·文班亚马与受伤的球员27号扎克·科林斯(Zach Collins)和戴着牛仔帽的0号凯尔登·约翰逊(Keldon Johnson)一起坐在替补席上，这场比赛是在2024年12月15日于德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥的弗罗斯特银行中心举行的下半场对阵明尼苏达森林狼队的比赛。
现在呢？
“我觉得我们也是这个竞争激烈的西部的一部分，”文班说道。“能够与这些球队一起争夺这些位置是一种荣幸。”
事实上，马刺队在西部的第11名有点误导性。如果把他们放在东部，马刺队的战绩足以排在第八。
在西部，有八支球队的胜场都是13场或14场。这其中就包括马刺队，他们的胜场数与排名第五的丹佛掘金队相同。
如果最终排名前十，马刺队将获得自2022年以来的第一个附加赛席位。
“我认为我们有很多潜力，”老将前锋哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)说道。“我们有一套赢球的蓝图，我认为我们已经展示了这一点。”
或许这套蓝图在周日晚上并不特别明显，当时马刺队在弗罗斯特银行中心以106-92输给明尼苏达森林狼队的比赛中，经历了本赛季[最糟糕的进攻表现]。
马刺队的投篮命中率为40.7%，其中三分球45投11中，出现了19次失误，让森林狼队得到了30分，并且在上半场只得到了赛季最低的37分。
如果马刺队希望至少保住一个附加赛席位的希望，那么学会如何应对像周日森林狼队那样凶猛的防守将是这个过程的一部分。
“他们是一支非常棒的防守型球队，”代理教练米奇·约翰逊(Mitch Johnson)说道，他在格雷格·波波维奇缺席的情况下带领马刺队取得了11胜10负的战绩。“在某些情况下，我们没能帮到自己，比如强传、强传，创造领先优势。”
约翰逊很快指出，对阵明尼苏达的比赛中没有任何事情会引发人们对球队进步的担忧。
他还很高兴马刺队直到周四对阵亚特兰大老鹰队之前都不会再比赛，这让球队有几天时间在训练馆里解决问题。
“（周日）发生的任何事情都不会让人感觉像是世界末日，”约翰逊说道。
约翰逊的球员们同意他的观点。
“我认为（周日）的比赛只是我们一直以来所做的事情的一个反常现象，而不是任何需要担心的理由，”巴恩斯说道。“我们对我们正在做的事情以及我们所处的位置充满信心。”
增强马刺队信心的是，他们能够在轮换阵容从未完整健康的情况下打出五成的胜率。
新秀后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)在因肩部酸痛缺席一场比赛后，周日回到了球队大名单中，替补出场。
杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)——自拇指骨折复出后一直在替补阵容中——连续第二场首发，顶替卡斯尔进入马刺队的首发阵容。
马刺队在面对森林狼队时仍然缺少替补控球后卫特雷·琼斯(Tre Jones)、替补中锋扎克·科林斯和关键的第六人凯尔登·约翰逊。
“这一切都是一场一场比赛来看的，”米奇·约翰逊说道。“我们已经应对了如此多不同的阵容和情况。我们将继续努力建立一些连续性。”
尽管如此，在赛季的前两个月里，不断成长的马刺队展现出的好的一面多于坏的一面。
他们已经清楚地将自己与联盟垫底的球队区分开来——8胜18负的波特兰开拓者队、5胜19负的犹他爵士队以及饱受伤病困扰的5胜22负的新奥尔良鹈鹕队，这些球队将在本赛季剩余的时间里争夺乐透签位。
那就是上赛季的马刺队。
本赛季是马刺队自2020-21赛季以来胜率达到或超过五成的最晚时间，那个赛季他们最终进入了附加赛。
“总的来说，每个人都很乐观，”巴恩斯说道。“我们看看我们的赛程，看看我们的战绩，然后说，‘伙计，我们应该赢多少场比赛？’而不是说，‘伙计，从现在开始这是一场艰苦的战斗。’我认为我们知道我们需要前进的方向。”
文班亚马也是乐观主义者之一。
在经历了一个在感恩节之前球队就已经注定失败的新秀赛季之后，文班亚马不再觉得需要刻意回避NBA排名。
在一个竞争激烈的西部联盟中，马刺队还算不上是季后赛的竞争者，但他们正在努力成为季后赛的竞争者。
就目前而言，这就足够了。
“这只是又一次提醒，”文班亚马说道。“最顶峰并不遥远。路很短。虽然非常艰难，但就在那里。”
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Harrison Barnes #40 of the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs attempt to stop a pass from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) goes for a layup as San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) falls during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (1) and Harrison Barnes (40) battle for the ball with Minnesota Timberwolves Mike Conley (10) and Julius Randle (30) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, guards against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker, center, lays up the ball as San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and forward Jeremy Sochan, right, defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, right, goes up to score over San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, right, shoots a layup as San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, left, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) battles Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, right, for the ball a Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) approaches during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) steals the ball from Minnesota Timberwolves guard Julius Randle (30) as Sochan’s teammates, center Charles Bassey (28) and guard Stephon Castle, second from right, run to assist during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) defends as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, bottom, looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks as San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, left, runs past during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Mike Conley #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs battle for a loose ball in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs tries to drive on Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs drives past Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes over Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Mitch Johnson acting head coach of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after they were called for a foul against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives past Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs lies injured after being found in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks past Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives past Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives past Julian Champagnie (30) of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives past Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks over Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs blocks the shot of Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks past Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, center, drives against San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, and guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Billy Calzada)
点击查看原文：Victor Wembanyama, Spurs see signs of optimism at .500
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs see signs of optimism at .500
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
Twenty-six games into his sophomore NBA season, Victor Wembanyama can glance at the Western Conference standings and not feel the urge to gag.
In the ongoing rebuilding of the Spurs into a playoff contender, this counts as progress.
“It’s so much different than last year,” Wembanyama said.
It’s not that Wembanyama grew up as a kid in France dreaming of being a part of a .500 team tied for 11th place in the West, which is where the 13-13 Spurs stood entering Monday’s slate of games across the league.
Compared to where the Spurs sat 26 contests into Wembanyama’s rookie campaign, the difference is stark.
At this time last season, the Spurs were 4-22 and playing for nothing but a shred of dignity.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs sits on the bench along with injured players Zach Collins #27 and Keldon Johnson #0, wearing cowboy hat, during game against the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 15, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
Now?
“I feel like we’re a part of that stacked West,” Wembanyama said. “It’s a pleasure to be able to compete for these spots right alongside those teams.”
Indeed, the Spurs’ 11th-place standing in the West is a bit misleading. Put them in the East, and the Spurs’ record is good enough for eighth.
In the West, there are eight teams with either 13 or 14 victories. That includes the Spurs, who boast the same number of wins as the fifth-place Denver Nuggets.
A finish in the top 10 would secure the Spurs their first play-in berth since 2022.
“I think we have a lot of potential,” veteran forward Harrison Barnes said. “We have a blueprint of what we need to do to win, and I think we’ve shown that.”
Perhaps that blueprint was not particularly obvious Sunday night, when the Spurs slogged through their worst offensive showing of the season in a 106-92 loss to Minnesota at the Frost Bank Center.
The Spurs shot 40.7% percent, including 11 of 45 from 3-point range, committed 19 turnovers that gave the Timberwolves 30 points and scored a season-low 37 points in the first half.
If the Spurs hope to stay in the hunt for at least a play-in spot, learning to deal with a defense as ferocious as the one Minnesota unleashed Sunday will be part of the process.
“They’re a heck of a defensive team,” said acting coach Mitch Johnson, who has shepherded the Spurs to an 11-10 mark filling in for Gregg Popovich. “We didn’t help ourselves in some situations, with strong passes, strong passes, creating leads.”
Johnson was quick to point out nothing that went down against Minnesota set off alarm bells about the team’s progress.
He was also glad the Spurs do not play again until Thursday against Atlanta, giving the team a couple of days to get in the practice gym and iron out kinks.
“There’s nothing that happened (Sunday) that feels like the bottom’s falling out,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s players agreed.
“I think (Sunday) was more an anomaly of what we’ve been doing as opposed to any reason for concern,” Barnes said. “We’re confident of what we’re doing and where we’re at.”
Boosting the Spurs’ confidence, they’ve been able to play .500 ball without spending a single day with their full rotation healthy.
Rookie guard Stephon Castle returned to the active roster Sunday after taking a game off with a sore shoulder, coming off the bench.
Taking Castle’s place in the Spurs’ first five, Jeremy Sochan – who had been on the second unit since returning from a fractured thumb – started his second consecutive game.
The Spurs still faced the Wolves without backup point guard Tre Jones, backup center Zach Collins and key sixth man Keldon Johnson.
“This whole deal is kind of just game by game,” Mitch Johnson said. “We’ve dealt with so many different lineups and circumstances. We’ll continue to try to put some continuity together.”
Still, the growing Spurs have shown more good than bad over the first two months of the season.
They have clearly delineated themselves from the dregs of the conference – 8-18 Portland, 5-19 Utah and the injury-ravaged 5-22 New Orleans Pelicans, who will spend the remainder of the season jockeying for draft lottery balls.
That was the Spurs a season ago.
This season marks the latest the Spurs have been at .500 or better since 2020-21, a campaign that resulted in a play-in appearance.
“In general, everyone’s optimistic,” Barnes said. “We look at our schedule, look at our record and say, ‘Man, how many games should we have won?’ As opposed to saying, ‘Man, it’s an uphill battle from here.’ I think we know the direction we need to go.”
Consider Wembanyama among the optimists.
After trudging through a Rookie of the Year campaign that, team-wise, was cooked before Thanksgiving, Wembanyama no longer feels the need to actively avoid looking at the NBA standings.
In a deep Western Conference, the Spurs aren’t considered playoff contenders yet, but they are contending to be playoff contenders.
For now, that is good enough.
“It’s just one more reminder,” Wembanyama said. “The very top is not far away. It’s a short way. A very tough one, but it’s right there.”
By Jeff McDonald, Staff writer, via San Antonio Express-News