By Jeph Duarte | Pounding The Rock (PtR), 2025-12-26 12:00:00
上周二，当马刺在主场战胜俄克拉荷马城雷霆后，维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 走上球场中央，与球迷们一同沉浸在短暂的狂欢之中。
文班带领全场观众，玩起了他与“Jackals”助威团精心排练的庆祝仪式。“Jackals”这个由马刺大个子亲自组建的狂热团体，正是他希望将霜冻银行中心变得像欧洲足球场一样充满节日氛围这一目标的结晶。
此时此刻，维克托·文班亚马正尽情展现着自我，并且他毫不畏惧地将这一切公之于众。
非典型的马刺超级巨星
多年以来，许多伟大的球员都曾是圣安东尼奥马刺队的门面。从乔治·格文 (George Gervin) 开始，这位令人叹为观止的表演家、四届得分王、九届全明星球员，从1973年起直到1985年离开，一直是这支球队的代表人物。格文风度与格调兼备，是引领马刺进入NBA的真正大使。
大卫·罗宾逊 (David Robinson)，作为篮球史上荣誉最卓著的大个子球员之一，他的领袖角色超越了球场。作为一名前美国海军成员，罗宾逊所展现的庄重品格，使他与90年代联盟中那些浮华炫耀的球员们划清了界限。罗宾逊对马刺展现了极致的奉献精神，为了球队的更大利益，无私地交出了领导权的接力棒。
蒂姆·邓肯 (Tim Duncan)，罗宾逊当之无愧的继承人，是篮球史上最伟大的大前锋。但马刺得到的，是一位沉默的超级巨星。邓肯从不以情绪外露或失控著称，他将一切都留在了球场上，并以一种前无古人、后无来者的沉着冷静来领导球队。在一个充斥着捶胸顿足、大肆张扬的明星的联盟里，他是一位天赋无与伦比却又生性内敛的奇才。
如今，维克托·文班亚马成为了这支银黑军团的领袖。乍看之下，他似乎继承了罗宾逊和邓肯身上那种标志性的沉静气质。但维克托拥有一种独特的精神气质，其散发出的能量频率，对于马刺的忠实拥趸而言是前所未见的。
文班更加情绪化，但并非以NBA的典型方式。这位年轻的现象级球员博览群书、谈吐不凡，举手投足间展现出远超其年龄的优雅与成熟。近期展露出的这种“俏皮”一面，直接反映了他的成长、球队的演进，以及他对自己在一支球队、一座城市乃至整个联盟宏大蓝图中位置的认知——整个联盟正向他倾注关注与尊重。
将圣安东尼奥烙上自己的印记
早在2023年6月22日，他的名字被圣安东尼奥马刺队念出之前，人们就普遍相信，维克托·文班亚马和圣安东尼奥马刺队会是彼此的完美搭档。
文班亚马，这位自勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 以来最受期待的篮球运动员，即将来到圣安东尼奥，为一支由篮球史上胜场最多的教练执掌的王朝球队效力。
然而，最初计划的许多方面都已改变。
其一，文班因深静脉血栓错过了他二年级赛季的大部分比赛。在他拿下年度最佳新秀、表现惊艳的新秀赛季之后，人们曾相信他会是二年级赛季年度最佳防守球员奖项的板上钉钉的人选。
当然，还有主教练格雷格·波波维奇 (Gregg Popovich) 因中风不得不在赛季中缺席了很长一段时间。
如今进入他的第三个赛季，文班再次面临着变化。
马刺迎来了二十九年来的首位新任主教练。尽管米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson) 在上赛季大部分时间里都在掌舵，但他当时只是顶替波波维奇。今年，约翰逊的真实个性开始闪耀。从他的新闻发布会可以明显看出，他如今展现出了自己的独特风格。他的回答深思熟虑、充满敬意，为媒体和球迷提供了近三十年来前所未有的深度与洞察。
约翰逊和文班亚马，是由波波维奇和邓肯设计并执行的王朝之路上的必然结果。为了促成这一系列的萌芽，无数碎片必须精准地各就其位，其过程之复杂堪比一道数学难题。
超越炒作、超越数据、超越球场
必须承认，文班亚马是为篮球这项运动被精心培养的。他生活中的大部分方面都经过了刻意规划。曾有讨论称，他的饮食是为促进其身高、体重和运动能力的健康成长而专门设计的。
文班是一位狂热的读者，酷爱奇幻和科幻小说，人们经常看到他带着一本书走进球馆。
在进入国际聚光灯下的短暂时间里，文班已经展现出他选择了一条人迹罕至的路。去年冬天在纽约，这位7英尺4英寸的中锋走到公众面前（并在社交媒体上宣布），邀请人们来下国际象棋。
谁想来华盛顿广场公园的西南角和我下盘棋？我在这儿
— Wemby (@ wemby) 2024年12月28日
他倡导将国际象棋与NBA结合，甚至主办了自己的篮球 Gambit（Hoop Gambit）赛事。
最近，在《The Athletic》的一篇文章中，维克托·文班亚马倡导“道德篮球”。
马库斯·汤普森二世 (Marcus Thompson II) 写道：
“曾经只是少数人的把戏——比如雷吉·米勒 (Reggie Miller) 在投三分时伸腿，或者迈克尔·乔丹 (Michael Jordan) 得到‘幽灵哨’——似乎已经演变成一种泛滥的现象，球员们仿佛轻微的接触犯规都如同狙击手开火一般应声倒地。因此，‘道德篮球’的概念赞扬了像斯蒂芬·库里 (Steph Curry) 和凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant) 这样不刻意在罚球线上大快朵颐的球员。同时，它也斥责了像詹姆斯·哈登 (James Harden) 和乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 这样将肆无忌惮地操纵规则作为家常便饭的球员。”
他接着写道：
“‘道德篮球’是对大多数人从小接触的那种纯粹篮球比赛的颂扬。在那种比赛里，重点不是钻规则的空子，不是指望胁迫裁判，也不是寄希望于模棱两可的规则。它的核心是为投篮命中而出手，而不是为了制造犯规而出手；是专注防守，而不是指望通过传球后的冲撞来博取进攻犯规；是在不依赖任何这些伎俩的情况下找到荣誉感。”
文班亚马正站在最前沿，为“道德篮球”的必要性发声。
“在现代篮球中，我们看到很多篮球风格给对手带来的威胁种类并不丰富。大量的单打，有时甚至是些生硬的打法。而我们尝试提出一种有时可被描述为更复古的篮球风格——也就是马刺的方式。所以，在我看来，这是一种战术上更正确的篮球。”
“道德篮球”渴望比赛本身被呈现，而非被操纵。马库斯·汤普森二世继续写道：
“问题不仅仅在于制造犯规，更在于比赛的美感，在于这种不光彩手段的流行。一些世界上最高大、最出色的运动员，在下巴受到最轻微的擦碰后就猛地向后甩头，仿佛他们平时从不练脖子一样。同一个球员可以被允许推人，却在自己被推时得到哨子。是那些夸张的挥臂和假摔——以及在两者都未得逞后无休止的抱怨——而与此同时，一些真正的身体接触却被认为是无关紧要的。正是这个伟大的联盟，让比赛演变成了法律程序，官员们走向技术台的样子，就像律师走向法官席一样。”
再读一遍第三句话——在于这种不光彩手段的流行。有多少次，比赛被那些宁愿制造犯规，也不愿利用其巨大天赋去打球的球员所困扰？这不是一种非法的技术，只是它配不上一场伟大的篮球比赛。但规则就是规则，只要规则存在，就会有人利用它们。
但维克托·文班亚马不会。
他不是你传统意义上的超级巨星，尤其对于一个在我们眼前从一个男孩蜕变为一个男人的世界级球员来说更是如此。
而现在，这位非典型的超级巨星，正在一个曾经“乏味”的小球市球队中，找到了自己的舒适区。
听起来，他正是圣安东尼奥马刺队所需要的，那位能将“美丽篮球”提升至新阶段的超级巨星。
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。
点击查看原文：Open Thread: Victor Wembanyama is the superstar the Spurs need
Open Thread: Victor Wembanyama is the superstar the Spurs need
Last Tuesday, when the Spurs won their home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Victor Wembanyama took to center court to engage the fans in a little jubilation.
Wemby led the arena in a routine he and the Jackals have been working on. The Jackals, a rowdy bunch formed by the Spurs big man, was the culmination of his goal to make the Frost Bank Center as festive as a European football (soccer) stadium.
At this moment, Victor Wembanyama is feeling himself. And he’s not afraid to let it show.
Not Your Typical Spurs Superstar
Over the years, many great players have been the face of the San Antonio Spurs. Starting with George Gervin, a stupefying showman, four-time scoring champion, and nine-time All-Star became the face of the franchise from 1973 until his departure in 1985. Gervin had panache and style, a true ambassador ushering the Spurs into the NBA.
David Robinson, one of the most decorated big men to play the game, took the role of leader beyond the court. Robinson, a member of the United States Navy, carried himself with a dignity that distanced him from the bevy of showy players populating the league throughout the 90s. Robinson displayed the ultimate dedication to the Spurs, selflessly handing the baton of leadership for the betterment of the team.
Tim Duncan, the heir apparent to Robinson, is the greatest power forward to ever play the game. But the Spurs landed a quiet superstar. Not known for emoting or losing his cool, Duncan left it out all on the court and led with a serenity unlike any player before or since. An unparalleled talent with a penchant for reticence in a league full of chest-thumping stars.
Now Victor Wembanyama serves as the leader of the Silver & Black. At first glance, he looked to be an extension of the tranquility recognizable in both Robinson and Duncan. But Victor has a unique spirit that radiates at a frequency new to the Spurs faithful.
Wemby is more emotional, but not in a typical NBA way. The young phenom is well read, well-spoken, and carries himself with the elegance of a much more seasoned athlete. The addition of this newly visible “playful” side is a direct reflection of his growth, the team’s evolution, and his recognition of his place in the grand scheme of a team, a city, and the league that is plying him with attention and respect.
Making San Antonio his own
Ever before his name was called by the San Antonio Spurs on June 22, 2023, it was believed that Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs were going to be a great fit for one another.
Wembanyama, the most anticipated basketball player since LeBron James, was coming to San Antonio to play with a dynasty franchise headed the winningest coach in all of basketball.
So many aspects of what was originally planned has altered.
For one, Wemby missed most of his sophomore season out with deep vein thrombosis. After his electric rookie season in which he garnered the Rookie of the Year honors, it was believed he was a shoo-in to take Defensive Player of the Year in his second season.
And then of course, head coach Gregg Popovich had to take a large portion of the season off after his stroke.
Now in his third season, Wemby has again faced changes.
The Spurs have their first new head coach in twenty-nine years. Although Mitch Johnson steered the ship for most of last season, he was filling in for Pop. This year, Johnson’s true personality is shining through. It’s apparent from his press conferences he has his own flair now. His responses are thoughtful, respectful, and give media and fans a depth and insight that have not been on the table for nearly three decades.
Johnson and Wembanayama are the logical result to a dynasty designed and executed by Popovich sand Duncan. The amount of pieces that had to fall into place exactly as they did for the chain of events for this germination liken a mathematical conundrum.
Beyond hype, beyond stats, beyond the court
Admittedly, Wembanyama was groomed for the game. Most facets of his life have been intentional. There was discussion of how his diet was designed to foster the healthiest growth for his height, weight, and athleticism.
Wemby is an avid reader, heavily into fantasy and science fiction, often seen carrying a book into the arena with him.
In his short time in the international spotlight, Wemby has shown to take a road less traveled. Last winter in New York, 7’4” center went out into the public (and announced it on social media) inviting people to come play chess.
Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there
— Wemby (@ wemby) December 28, 2024
He’s advocated merging chess with the NBA and even hosted his own Hoop Gambit.
And recently, a piece in The Athletic, Victor Wembanyama advocated for “ethical basketball.”
Marcus Thompson II writes,
“What was once niche — Reggie Miller extending his leg on 3-pointers, and Michael Jordan getting phantom whistles — seemed to grow into an epidemic of players falling like touch fouls were sniper fire. So the concept of ethical basketball praised players such as Steph Curry and Kevin Durant for not intentionally feasting at the free-throw line. And, simultaneously, it chided players such as James Harden and Joel Embiid for unabashedly manipulating the rules as a steady diet.”
He goes on,
“Ethical basketball is an ode to a straight-up version of the game most people grew up playing. When it wasn’t about milking loopholes. Or banking on coercion. Or hoping for help from ambiguous rules. It’s shooting to make instead of aiming to draw a foul. It’s playing defense instead of hoping for a pass-and-crash charge. It’s finding honor in not needing any of that.“
Wembanyama is at the forefront, voicing the need for ethical basketball.
“In modern basketball, we see a lot of brands of basketball that don’t offer much variety in the dangers they pose to the opponents. Lots of isolation ball and, sometimes, kind of forced basketball. And we try to propose a brand of basketball that can be described as more old-school sometimes — the Spurs way as well. So it’s tactically more correct basketball, in my opinion.”
Ethical basketball years for the game to be played, not manipulated. Marcus Thompson II continues,
“The issue is bigger than drawing fouls. It’s the aesthetic. It’s the popularization of the underhandedness. Some of the largest men in the world, and some of the best athletes, snapping their heads back after the slightest graze to the chin, as if they routinely skip neck day. It’s the same player being allowed to push off but getting the whistle when he’s pushed. It’s the flailing and flopping — and the constant complaining when neither yields returns — while some real contact gets deemed as marginal. It’s this great league having games morph into legal proceedings, with officials approaching the scorer’s table like a lawyer approaches the bench.”
Read that third sentence again – the popularization of the underhandedness. How many times are games plagued by players who draw fouls rather than utilize their immense talent to play the game? It’s not an illegitimate technique. It’s just not worthy of great basketball. But rules are rules, and as long as those are the rules, there will be those who use them.
Not Victor Wembanyama.
He’s not your typical superstar, especially for a world-renowned player who has transtioning from a boy to a man in front of our eyes.
And now this not-so-typical superstar is discovering his comfort zone in a once “boring,” small-market franchise.
Sounds like the superstar the San Antonio Spurs need to elevate into the next phase of The Beautiful Game.
By Jeph Duarte, via Pounding The Rock