By Tom Orsborn, Staff writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2025-01-01 12:02:56
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市 - 12月31日：圣安东尼奥马刺队1号球员维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)在2024年12月31日于德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市弗罗斯特银行中心举行的比赛上半场对阵洛杉矶快船队投篮得分后做出反应。
维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)耐心地等待着阿米尔·科菲采取行动。
这位洛杉矶快船队的前锋带着十足的冲劲尝试反手上篮，却被马刺队的球星轻松地在篮筐上盖掉。
这次盖帽只是一个开始。拿到球权后，文班亚马发起快攻，最终他以一个恰到好处的击地传球助攻凯尔登·约翰逊轻松上篮得分。
周二晚上，马刺队以122-86的比分横扫快船队，第二节的这一系列精彩表现只是文班亚马在比赛中的众多精彩瞬间之一。这场比赛也为这位2023-2024赛季最佳新秀的具有历史意义的一个月画上了圆满的句号。
他仅用26分钟就得到27分、9个篮板、5次助攻、3次盖帽和1次抢断，完美地结束了他在12月份的统治级表现。在这个月里，他成为联盟历史上首位单月得分超过300分、篮板超过100个、盖帽超过50次、助攻超过50次以及三分球命中超过40个的球员。
文班也连续24场比赛至少有一次盖帽和一个三分球，这是联盟历史上最长的连续纪录。他还连续67场比赛都有盖帽，创造了马刺队的队史纪录。
文班亚马并没有刻意关注这些数据。
“有些人关心精彩片段，但我们在这里关心的是战绩，是赢还是输，”这位7英尺3英寸的法国人说道。“这是唯一重要的数据。”
从这个意义上说，文班亚马在除夕夜还有额外的庆祝理由：马刺队以17胜16负的战绩进入新年，这是他们自2018年以21胜17负的战绩进入2019年以来首次以胜绩跨年。那个赛季他们最终以45胜37负的战绩结束了常规赛并获得了季后赛席位。
洛杉矶快船队（19胜14负）此前取得了三连胜，并在比赛开始前位列西部联盟第六。但马刺队将他们的投篮命中率限制在34.5%，其中三分球命中率仅为26.8%（41投11中），最终以本赛季最大的分差获胜，并在西部联盟排名中保持在金州勇士队（16胜16负）之前，位列第九。
马刺队在过去两个赛季中都只赢了22场比赛。上赛季他们的第17场胜利直到3月27日才到来。
但2023-24赛季似乎已经是遥远的过去，因为马刺队现在看起来有机会结束他们队史最差的连续五年无缘季后赛的尴尬纪录。
“我们每晚都在战斗，所以我为这个战绩感到骄傲，”文班亚马说道。“这还远远不够，但我为之自豪。我们刚刚结束了一次客场之旅，输掉了三场比赛，今天早上我查看了排名，我们处于附加赛的行列中。这足以说明在这个联盟中，尤其是在西部联盟中，想要保持领先是多么困难。所以，是的，今晚的比赛意义重大。”
快船队在周一战胜新奥尔良鹈鹕队后背靠背作战，马刺队击败了他们，也为11月3日在洛杉矶以104-113输掉的比赛复仇。在那场比赛中，他们挥霍了早早取得的26分的领先优势。
这一次，他们没有松懈。马刺队在第一节结束后以31-17领先，半场结束时领先20分，下半场最多领先41分。
“我们只是坚持到底，没有放松警惕，”克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)说道，他出场20分钟得到7分、赛季最高的9个篮板、4次助攻和3次抢断。“对于一支年轻的球队来说，有时你取得领先后就会放松。但在这个联盟里，任何事情都可能发生。上次我们和这支球队比赛时，我想我们一度领先了24分，但他们最终逆转取胜，所以经验会教会你一些事情。”
快船队的86分是马刺队本赛季对手的最低得分，此前他们在12月27日客场战胜布鲁克林篮网队的比赛中将对手的得分限制在87分。代理主教练米奇·约翰逊(Mitch Johnson)表示，他对球队的防守表现“非常满意”。
“我认为对抗强度非常出色，”他说。“整场比赛他们都保持着联系，我认为比赛计划的执行非常到位。”
凯尔登·约翰逊替补出场为马刺队贡献17分，马刺队的主场战绩提高到12胜7负。新秀斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)得到15分、4个篮板和4次助攻，他在下半场顶替杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)首发。索汉因下背部受伤在半场结束后没有出场。他在上半场还剩1分20秒时离场，出场15分钟得到4分和5个篮板。
但文班亚马才是这场比赛的主角。尽管快船队派出了几位身材较小的球员来防守他，但他还是在第一节以7投6中的表现拿下17分。
“我认为他正在适应我们在赛季初看到的（对手的防守策略），”米奇·约翰逊说道。“他打得更强壮、更有对抗性、基本功更扎实，而且令人惊讶的是，他的简单动作是多么的精彩。”
德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市 - 12月31日：圣安东尼奥马刺队1号球员维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)准备在2024年12月31日于德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市弗罗斯特银行中心举行的比赛上半场突破洛杉矶快船队33号球员尼古拉斯·巴图姆(Nicolas Batum)的防守。
保罗在他20年的职业生涯中几乎见过并经历了一切，但在周二的比赛结束后，他承认文班亚马在他进入联盟的第二年所做的事情对他和其他人来说都是全新的。
“他让比赛变得如此轻松，”这位39岁的老控卫说道。“我想我已经到了有时会把他视为理所当然的地步，比如他的盖帽、防守，所有的一切。所以，我从未见过这样的事情。”
保罗表示，除了超凡的技能外，周六将满21岁的文班亚马还拥有其他让他与众不同的特质。
“我无法充分表达他的成熟程度，他的比赛，他的心态，他对不断进步的渴望，而且我认为每个人都忘记了这只是他进入联盟的第二年，”保罗说道。
但和文班亚马一样，保罗最关心的也是战绩。他们在12月初克服了三连败的开局，最终以7胜7负的战绩结束了这个月。胜利包括一场战胜亚特兰大老鹰队的加时赛，失利包括最近四场客场之旅中在费城、纽约和明尼苏达的三场惜败。
“实际上我们期望能做得更好，”保罗谈到球队的整体战绩时说道。“我们只需要继续努力，从我们经历过的不同类型的比赛中吸取教训，我们有能力做到这一点，并且每晚都保持下去。”
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kai Jones (23) tangles with San Antonio Spurs’ Zach Collins, left, Keldon Johnson (0) and Tre Jones (33) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs’ Zach Collins (23) goes to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, center left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kris Dunn, left, drives against San Antonio Spurs’ Stephon Castle, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs’ Devin Vassell (24) drives against Los Angeles Clippers’ Amir Coffey, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan (10) dunks against Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (1) moves to block a shot-attempt by Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs’ Harrison Barnes (40) drives against Los Angeles Clippers’ Norman Powell during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan (10) drives against Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 31: Keldon Johnson #0 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after hitting a three against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 31, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 31: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs blocks shot of Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half at Frost Bank Center on December 31, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 31: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after hitting a three against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 31, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 31: Norman Powell #24 tries to guard Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 31, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 31: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs scores against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 31, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
点击查看原文：Wembanyama-led Spurs head into 2025 with winning record
Wembanyama-led Spurs head into 2025 with winning record
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 31: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after a basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 31, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
Victor Wembanyama waited patiently for Amir Coffey to make his move.
With a full head of steam, the Los Angeles Clippers forward tried a reverse layup only to have it rejected at the rim with ease by the Spurs star.
The block was only the beginning. After gaining possession of the ball, Wembanyama led a fast break that ended with him feeding Keldon Johnson with a perfectly placed bounce pass for an easy layup.
The second quarter sequence in the Spurs’ wire-to-wire 122-86 thumping of the Clippers on Tuesday night was one of many terrific plays by Wembanyama in a game that capped a historic month for the 2023-2024 Rookie of the Year.
He produced 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three blocks and one steal in just 26 minutes, a fitting finish to a dominant December that saw him become the first player in league history with 300 points, 100 rebounds, 50 blocks, 50 assists and 40 3-pointers in a single month.
Wembanyama also has at least one block and one 3-pointer in 24 straight games, the longest streak in league history. He also has a block in a franchise-record 67 games in a row.
Not that Wembanyama is keeping track of all those numbers.
“Some people care about highlights, but we care here about the record, the win or the loss,” the 7-foot-3 Frenchman said. “It is the only stat that matters.”
In that sense, Wembanyama had something extra to celebrate on New Year’s Eve: At 17-16, the Spurs have a winning record heading into a new year for the first time since moving from 2018 into 2019 with a 21-17 mark on their way to a 45-37 finish and a playoff berth.
Los Angeles (19-14) had won three straight and came into the game sixth in the Western Conference. But the Spurs limited them to 34.5% shooting from the field, including 26.8% (11 for 41) from 3-point territory to win by their largest margin of the season and stay ahead of Golden State (16-16) for ninth in the conference
The Spurs won just 22 games in each of the last two seasons. Their 17th win last season didn’t come until March 27.
But 2023-24 seems long ago as the Spurs seemingly have a shot at ending their franchise-worst five-year playoff drought.
“We are battling every night, so I’m proud of that record,” Wembanyama said. “It’s nowhere near enough, but I’m proud of it. And we just came off a road trip where we lost three games, and I looked at the standings this morning and we were in the play-in (tournament). So that just tells how hard it is to be at the top in this league and in this conference especially. So yeah, tonight was a big one.”
In clobbering the Clippers, who were playing in the second game of a back-to-back set after winning at New Orleans on Monday, the Spurs avenged a 113-104 loss Nov. 3 in Los Angeles in which they blew an early 26-point lead.
This time around, there was no let up. The Spurs led 31-17 after the first period, by 20 at halftime and by as many as 41 in the second half.
“We just stayed the course and didn’t get comfortable,” said Chris Paul, who had seven points, a season-high nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in 20 minutes.
“With a young team, sometimes you get a lead and you relax. But in this league anything can happen. Last time we played that team, I think we were up by 24 at one point, but they came back and won, so experience teaches you things.”
The Clippers’ 86 points were a season low for a Spurs opponent after they held the Nets to 87 points in a win at Brooklyn on Dec. 27, and acting head coach Mitch Johnson said he was “pretty pleased” with the defensive effort.
“I thought the physicality was superb,” he said. “Throughout they were connected, and I thought the game plan execution was sharp.”
Keldon Johnson had 17 points off the bench for the Spurs, who improved to 12-7 at home. Rookie Stephon Castle finished with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists after starting the second half in place of Jeremy Sochan, who did not play after halftime due to a lower back injury. He exited with 1:20 remaining in the first half with four points and five rebounds in 15 minutes.
But Wembanyama was the game’s headliner. He finished the first quarter with 17 points on 6-of-7 from the field despite the Clippers throwing several smaller bodies at him.
“I think he’s just adjusting to what we saw earlier in the year (from opponents),” Mitch Johnson said. “He is playing stronger, more physical, more fundamentally sound, and it’s crazy how spectacular his simple is.”
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 31: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs prepares to drive on Nicolas Batum #33 of the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Frost Bank Center on December 31, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.
Paul has seen and experienced just about everything in his 20 years in the league, but he admitted after Tuesday’s game that what Wembanyama is doing in his second year in the league is something entirely new for him and everyone else.
“He makes the game so easy,” the 39-year-old point guard said. “I think I’ve already gotten to a point where I take him for granted at times, like the shot blocking, the defense, all the things. So, never seen anything like it.”
In addition to his otherworldly skill set, Wembanyama, who turns 21 on Saturday, also has other attributes that make him unique, Paul said.
“I can’t say enough how mature he is, his game, his mentality, how hungry he is to continue to get better, and I think everyone forgets this is just his second year,” Paul said.
But like Wembanyama, what matters most to Paul is the record. They overcame an early three-game losing streak in December to finish the month 7-7, with the wins including an overtime victory over Atlanta and the losses including three close ones at Philadelphia, New York and Minnesota on their recent four-game road trip.
“We expected actually to be better,” Paul said of the overall record. “We just got to keep building and take from these different types of games we’ve been in that we’re more than capable of doing this and putting it together night after night.”
By Tom Orsborn, Staff writer, via San Antonio Express-News