San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves
This Tuesday, 3:30 am (French time)
A match within the match. Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert face off on Monday night to Tuesday (3:30 am, French time) during game 1 of the NBA Western Conference semi-finals. A duel of towering Frenchmen highlighting the contrast between the young Spurs and the experienced Timberwolves.
“Wemby” vs “Rudy,” the anticipated duel in this seven-game series, between two French vice-champion Olympians in Paris in 2024, two tall interior players (7’4″ for the first, 7’1″ for the second) known for their defensive expertise. The Wolves’ center has been voted NBA’s best defender four times, while the Spurs’ center recently won the award for the first time unanimously.
“It’s incredible for French basketball, the young superstar against the experienced guy,” Gobert summarized at a press conference on Saturday. The former Utah Jazz player, praised for his defense against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic in the previous round, will now face “Wemby,” who, at 22 years old, has reached a new level in his third season in the league, capable of dominating on both ends of the court. This has earned him a spot as one of the three finalists for the MVP trophy.
Gobert, an inspiration and “a role model” for Wembanyama
The two giants have crossed paths for several years, as evidenced by a video of a young and slender 16-year-old Wembanyama engaged in a two-on-two match during a summer training session against the burly Gobert, who recalls a “great time.” Wemby acknowledges him as an example who could “inspire” him. “He takes great care of his body, all great interior players should look up to him as a role model,” he told the press on Thursday.
“It’s tough to play against him, demanding, I hope we’ll have watchable games at French-friendly hours because I know people will be following,” Gobert smiled. The series should offer regular on-court duels between the two players, although Gobert won’t be the only defender facing “the alien,” whose agility and speed pose unique challenges to opponents.
“There’s no one strategy to defend Wembanyama, it depends on your players. Fortunately for us, we have very versatile profiles that we can test,” warned coach Chris Finch. Strong men like Julius Randle and Naz Reid, possibly including Jaden McDaniels, are expected to provide assistance, while smaller players have posed more challenges for the Spurs’ phenomenon this season.
Diminished Timberwolves
If Wembanyama poses a problem on offense, he also erects a mobile defensive barrier that the Wolves will have to navigate, despite their absentees after a first round that left its mark. All-Star point guard Anthony Edwards, victim of a left knee hyperextension and Minnesota’s main offensive threat, will not be fit for the series opener, with uncertainty for the future.
Donte DiVincenzo has ended his season (Achilles tendon), and Ayo Dosunmu (calf), another guard, missed the last game against the Denver Nuggets (series won 4-2). The Wolves will have to find offensive outlets while maximizing their offensive pace against Wembanyama.
“I have to put pressure on him, set screens for my teammates, be aggressive. We must especially be careful to stay in the rhythm of our possessions,” Gobert warned (33 years old), whose age and experience difference with Wembanyama (22 years old), mirrors their two teams’ situations.
“Experience matters, but…”
The Wolves are coming off two consecutive Western Conference finals, while most of the Spurs, including Wemby, are experiencing the playoffs for the first time. Their franchise had even missed this final showdown since 2019. “Experience matters, but they have smart players in a very intelligent organization, it compensates. Winning 62 games requires consistency, balance,” Gobert emphasized regarding the second-best record of the regular season.
“Wemby” still expects a “tougher” challenge than facing Portland in the first round (4-1), against a team that “forces you to be at full throttle for 48 minutes in every match.” “I look forward to this tactical and technical challenge,” he assures. The French audience is also eagerly awaiting it.
