Thomas Wolfe once said “You can’t go home again,” unless you’re playing a home and home against an in-state rival. While the first leg went the Spurs’ way, the rematch bounced the other way. Jeremy Sochan led the team with 22 points and had the second most rebounds (9). You know who had the most rebounds? You only get one guess, but he had a whopping 20 boards. He was so active on the glass that the staff asked him to tie a towel and Windex to his forearm since he spends so much time up there. Two stones, one bird as they say.
Victor Wembanyama taking a step-back three is like paying taxes: neither seem necessary. I mean who’s going to block his shot? The IRS? He is off to a slow start from three-point, shooting only 22.2%, but more smooth shots like this one could get him going from deep.
For naysayers who say he should take less threes, I say nay. I have no logical or analytical rebuttal other than let the young man cook. You don’t tell Bruce Springsteen how to write country music, and you certainly don’t tell Victor Wembanyama how to play basketball.
On this play, Wembanyama uses both his height and vision to find a cutting Malaki Branham for an easy bucket. The tight window and pinpoint accuracy were impressive enough, but the decisiveness and confidence to create such plays should excite Spurs fans to no end.
This play sparked the late rally that almost allowed them to steal a second win against their I-10 East neighbors.
Blake Wesley made jam out of this aggressive drive to the bucket. Wesley only played 12 minutes off the bench, but he made the most out of his short time with 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.
This particular sequence started with a superb defensive stop and turnover by Jeremy Sochan and turned into an effortless (he made it look effortless) jumper by rookie Stephon Castle. There’s a lot to love about Sochan and Castle’s game, and both were conveniently on display in this highlight.
Wembanyama continues to show off his bag of tricks, and this one is fast becoming one of my favorites. The splendid sophomore was able to subtly take a shot attempt and instead softly lobbed it to Sochan for an easy bucket. Wembanyama had 5 assists tonight, but most will agree that he’s still capable of dishing out more. The play-making opportunities should come along soon enough.
Early in this very young season, Jeremy Sochan is on the cusp of a breakout. The nascent Spur is averaging a career-high 19 points along with 9 rebounds per game (through three games, but who’s counting? Don’t you dare bring numbers into a sports statistics analysis).
Sochan seems more comfortable and decisive on the both ends of the floor, and the entire team should benefit from wild-haired one’s continued growth.
I have an idea. T-shirts that say “The Chris Paul Revenge Tour” for every game against CP3’s former teams (New Orleans, L.A. Clippers, Houston, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Golden State), and The Coyote shoots one into the crowd every time the point god finds his teammates with a beautiful bounce pass.
You don’t have to go home, but you have to get on out of here. This was one of Wembanyama’s four “casual” blocks. Just a primer for a 10-block game because you know one of those is coming soon.
Happy retirement Rudy Gay! Once a Spur, always a Spur.
If you missed the game because you were too busy googling what Dwyane Wade actually looks like, here are the full-game highlights:
Next up, the Spurs head to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
