Indianapolis — Victor Wembanyama said he intends to bring energy and competitiveness to Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, telling reporters during Saturday’s media session that he plans to focus on “exclamation-point plays” while keeping the ball moving.
The 7-foot-4 San Antonio center, making his second consecutive All-Star appearance, will suit up for the World team in the league’s latest format. The event features a round-robin schedule of four 12-minute games, with the top two teams advancing to a final. It marks the NBA’s fourth different structure in as many years.
“I’m confident in the way it’s going to go,” Wembanyama said.
Bryant Falls Short in Slam Dunk Contest
Rookie forward Carter Bryant narrowly missed capturing the Slam Dunk Contest title on Saturday. After earning perfect scores on a between-the-legs bounce dunk in the final round, Bryant failed to connect on a reverse off-the-backboard attempt and settled for a safer finish before time expired. “If I put that dunk down, I win it,” he told the San Antonio Express-News. “I’ve been doing that dunk since I was 14 — just didn’t get the ball, didn’t roll my way.”
Harper Family Spotlight
Ron Harper Sr. teamed with sons Ron Harper Jr. and Dylan Harper in the Shooting Stars event and expressed satisfaction that Dylan, the No. 2 overall draft pick, landed with San Antonio. “I think the Spurs are a first-class place,” the elder Harper said, adding that his son has “a chance to learn the ball game and play with some very good basketball players there.”
Johnson’s Connection With Players
First-year head coach Mitch Johnson has quickly built trust inside the locker room, earning a coaching spot in Sunday’s All-Star festivities with the Stripes team. “We’d run through walls for him the same way he’d run through walls for us,” forward Julian Champagnie said.
The Spurs return to regular-season action next week.
Source: Hoops Rumors
