The San Antonio Spurs were downright terrible in the first half of their Monday night contest against the Atlanta Hawks. They were down by 35 points at halftime, and the Hawks outplayed them in every facet of the game. From the on-court execution to the energy and intensity, the Spurs were outmatched.
Head coach Gregg Popovich responded by benching his starters to open the second half – including Victor Wembanyama. The second-string guys found a little bit of a rhythm and it got the bench juiced up. From there, the Spurs were able to claw their way back into the game, though they eventually lost 109-99.
After the game, Popovich and Wembanyama both spoke about the benching.
“Obviously the starters needed some sort of message, an infusion or something,” Popovich said via Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.
As for Wembanyama, he enjoys the harsh coaching style Popovich put on display against the Hawks.
“I like to be coached,” Wembanyama said “I like to be threatened to be sent to the G League if I don’t play the right way. I like when there are consequences to my mistakes.”
After a first half where he scored zero points, Wembabnyama exploded for 26 in the second half, including an 18-point fourth quarter that nearly helped the Spurs win the game.
Having a superstar with as much talent as Wembanyama is one thing, but having a guy who is so willing to take coaching from one of the best of all time is another. The Spurs have a bright, bright future ahead of them with Wembanyama at the helm.
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