Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs slaps hands with Chris Paul #3 during action against the Orlando Magic in the first half of a preseason game at Frost Bank Center on October 9, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. Photo: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs have their first win of the pre-season. The Spurs took down Orlando 107-to-97 Wednesday night at Frost Bank Center. Twelve-time All-Star Chris Paul made his pre-season debut and wowed the crowd with several nifty assists, two of them to Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs are back in action on Saturday night when they host the Jazz.
SPURS POSTGAME QUOTES
Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich
(On tonight’s game…)
“A lot of guys got to play. A lot of guys got good minutes. I don't really care about the win or the loss the other night very much. It's just how you play at this point of the season. I thought we were more physical tonight, more aggressive at the defensive end of the floor, and that makes a difference for us. We have to do that because we weren't very good at the defensive end last year. So that's really the emphasis this season. We didn't shoot it well in the first half. I think we probably shot it a little bit better after that. I don't know. I didn't look at the stats, but the physicality was good. That's one of the goals for tonight. Victor [Wembanyama] and Chris [Paul] got to play with each other a little bit. That's good, so decent night.”
(Chris Paul being a team player and his role…)
“He's so wise and has a lot of experience. Sometimes I get mesmerized just listening to him say things to players, and I should have thought of that, that kind of thing. But he mentors them well, and he does it the right way. He makes them feel good about themselves. He's great.”
Spurs Guard Stephon Castle
(On what he adjusted from the first game…)
Being more aggressive offensively and defensively. I feel like I had some bad turnovers in game one, so I’m trying to limit those as much as I can to maximize our opportunities on offense. I’m just trying to lean on my teammates and pick my spots when I can, but really just trying to set the tone defensively.
(On what he’s noticing about the NBA…)
I would say the speed of the game is a lot different and the physicality. Everybody is good from the first man to the 14th man. To be on that court, you’ve got to have some type of background. So, I’m not taking it for granted being out there. It’s starting to slow down for me, but I’m getting adjusted to the physicality of it.
Spurs Forward Victor Wembanyama
(On what it’s like playing with Chris Paul…)
“Being on the court with him feels like he’s got things in control. It’s reassuring, and it’s one more teammate I can rely on in tough moments. It’s only positive.”
(On thoughts about Stephon Castle…)
“Very positive. From day one, I had a very good impression of him. His game is looking like it’s transitioning very good. He actually looks more experienced. He gives a very mature impression. I'm very, very glad he is the way he is.”
Spurs Guard Chris Paul
(On what it’s like being in a Spurs uniform and playing with Victor Wembanyama…)
“I’ve changed uniforms quite a lot the past few years. Playing here with this group of guys, being out there with Vic, and Harrison [Barnes] is someone who I’ve known for a long time. It’s a very unique and special experience.”
(On how he would characterize the two-man game with Victor Wembanyama…)
We’re just trying to figure it out. I’m sure a lot of y’all been around a long time. There used to be a month-long training camp. We had three, four practices so you got to figure it out on the go. I think that’s what’s cool about playing with somebody as good and smart as Vic. He was running out the court at halftime. We were talking and he was like you’re going to see quick [that] I learn fast.”