The Republic discusses the Suns’ upcoming homestand, matchup with Spurs
The Phoenix Suns begin a 3-game homestand on Oct. 29, in which they host the Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs.
Republic staff
- Victor Wembanyama is leading the San Antonio Spurs to an undefeated start to the season.
- Opposing teams, like the Phoenix Suns, are preparing to defend Wembanyama with a team effort.
Victor Wembanyama is much more than just 7 feet, 4 inches tall.
At least that’s his listed height.
He’s a highly skilled, very athletic center with oh-wow handles and deep range. He’s a defensive menace who quickly covers ground and closes space for instant blocks.
“It’s something we’ve never seen before,” Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker said. “We haven’t seen it before.”
The Suns (2-4) are about to see the one better known as “Wemby” in person Sunday, Nov. 2, at Mortgage Matchup Center.
“Super talented,” Suns 7-footer Mark Williams said about Wembanyama. “… We’ve all seen like the highlights, all the crazy stuff that he’s been able to do.”
Wembanyama has led San Antonio to its first 5-0 start in franchise history.
Stephon Castle says impressive plays from Spurs teammate Victor Wembanyama happens “often”
Spurs Stephon Castle explains to Lorenzo Reyes what its like playing in the NBA with a unicorn like Victor Wembanyama.
“It’s not random,” Wembanyama said in his postgame news conference after the Spurs picked up their fifth win, 107-101, on Oct. 30 over the Miami Heat at home.
“We didn’t get these five wins randomly. We worked for it. We started the season strong.”
Wembanyama is averaging a career-high 30.2 points on 56.3% shooting, 14.6 rebounds, 4.8 blocks, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals in becoming an early leading MVP candidate.
“Being able to be that tall and being able to move and do the things that he does, he stays on his feet,” Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said after watching Wembanyama go for a season-high 40 points and 15 rebounds Oct. 22 in leading the Spurs past the Mavs.
“Whatever he’s working on, his core, you can see that, be able to deliver the blow when he’s dribbling and being able to shoot over anybody.”
Wembanyama isn’t a one-man, what-in-the-world show, either.
Stephon Castle, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, is having a career year, averaging 18.8 points, six rebounds and 5.4 assists.
Devin Vassell is a very solid third option, shooting a career-best 40.5% from 3 in his sixth NBA season.
The Spurs are one of three remaining unbeaten teams with the surprising Chicago Bulls (5-0) and defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder (6-0) being the other two.
“It’s a collective group over there,” Booker said. “They have a lot of young talent. I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing against them.”
The Spurs easily handled the Toronto Raptors (2-4), but they then took down the improved Miami Heat (3-2).
“We’re not really happy or complacent with that,” Vassell said in his postgame press conference after beating the Heat. “It’s good, but we’re looking for progression each game.
“We’re just more mature. … It starts with Vic and it goes down the line.”
It certainly starts with Wembanyama.
Suns forward Ryan Dunn is embracing the idea of guarding Wembanyama, but he’s fully aware of what awaits.
“He’s one of a kind,” Dunn said. “He’s different, but I’m excited for that matchup. I’m never going to turn down a matchup like that. Going out and competing against him. It’s going to be a team effort.”
First-year Suns coach Jordan Ott can appreciate Dunn’s thirst to take on Wembanyama, but he knows Phoenix must defend one of the league’s top players at just age 21 as a team.
“The big piece is don’t foul him,” Ott said. “He’s getting to the foul line at a lot higher rate.”
Wembanyama is attempting 9.6 free throws, 5.5 more than he averaged last season.
“He’s a hard guy to get to his ball when he shoots it because it’s so high,” Ott continued. “I think that’s where mistakes happen. You start fouling him on a jump shot. There’s no chance of you getting to his ball anyway.”
That is all part of Phoenix’s plan for Wembanyama.
“There will be multiple guys,” Ott said. “You know how the flow of the game plays and he’ll have an initial matchup and as you start getting into some schemes, you get into transition, we’ll have multiple guys on him.”
The Suns have stern no-nos for defending Wembanyama and the Spurs.
“Can’t guard him 1-on-1 in the paint,” Ott said. “You got to keep him out of the paint. That overall group, how they play, they’re a downhill, in-the-paint, put pressure on the rim team. It starts with him. Starts with them in transition. Starts with him in the halfcourt.”
The Spurs lead the NBA in fast-break points at 21.2 a game and are 10th in points in the paint at 52 a game.
“Going to have to show him bodies and then on the glass, we’re going to have to have multiple bodies in there trying to help on the glass,” Ott said. “They’re a good offensive rebounding team.”
The Suns showed in their 118-96 victory Oct. 31 over Utah the ability to combat a team that thrives on the offensive boards.
The Jazz grabbed 28 offensive rebounds in beating the Suns earlier in the week in Salt Lake City. Phoenix responded by yielding just 12 in the rematch win on Oct. 31.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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