> “We don’t want him to be the only one still here,” Johnson said, watching Victor Wembanyama. “He’s saying goodbye to his mom.”
> This is why Gregg Popovich doesn’t worry about losing them. This is why the Spurs don’t fear that blowouts like Wednesday’s, a 126-105 trouncing by the Knicks, will break them. This is why the jealousy and resentment that often loom as threats to rock bands and sports teams featuring a singular, set-apart superstar aren’t yet looming here.
> As a vulnerable 19-year-old allowed himself to be wrapped up in his mother’s arms in that hallway Wednesday night, six NBA veterans did not leave him behind. They stood there watching her pull her son close, while she whispered words of encouragement in a language they did not understand. They watched him hug his father.
> Then, when the kid was ready, the vets smiled and slapped him on the back, and they walked out of the arena together, toward the waiting bus. If Wembanyama was going to be in trouble, then so would they all.
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> “We don’t want him to be the only one still here,” Johnson said, watching Victor Wembanyama. “He’s saying goodbye to his mom.”
> This is why Gregg Popovich doesn’t worry about losing them. This is why the Spurs don’t fear that blowouts like Wednesday’s, a 126-105 trouncing by the Knicks, will break them. This is why the jealousy and resentment that often loom as threats to rock bands and sports teams featuring a singular, set-apart superstar aren’t yet looming here.
> As a vulnerable 19-year-old allowed himself to be wrapped up in his mother’s arms in that hallway Wednesday night, six NBA veterans did not leave him behind. They stood there watching her pull her son close, while she whispered words of encouragement in a language they did not understand. They watched him hug his father.
> Then, when the kid was ready, the vets smiled and slapped him on the back, and they walked out of the arena together, toward the waiting bus. If Wembanyama was going to be in trouble, then so would they all.