BERLIN.- The German basketball legend, Dirk Nowitzkistated this Monday that Victor Wembanyamawhich he won in his playoff debut on Sunday with the San Antonio Spursis “changing the game as we speak.”
In an interview with AFP before he joined the Hall of Fame of the FIBAin BerlinNowitzki said he was amazed by the impact the 22-year-old French player is having on the game.
“I mean, it’s changing the game as we speak. I’ve never seen anything like it,” said the former NBA legend. Dallas Mavericks and MVP of the NBA in 2007.
“Their defense is so good that it changes the game just by being on the court and taking away some of the layups and two-point shots that other teams would normally try,” Nowitzki, 47, insisted.
Author at age 22 of his best season (25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds) with the Spurs, Wembanyama is the favorite to win his first defender of the year award. He also appears for the first time among the three candidates for the MVP award (best player), although, according to observers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander either Nikola Jokic They start as favorites for that award.
Meanwhile, the Frenchman scored 35 points in his playoff debut on Sunday, during the victory against the Portland Trail Blazers (111-98).
For Nowitzki, champion in 2011 after several failures in the finals, San Antonio is “clearly prepared.”
“Of course, the question regarding Spurs is: do they have enough experience? But I think Wemby is that kind of X factor that offsets that.”
Rose will replace Iraola at Bournemouth
He Bournemouthof the Premier League English, announced this Monday that the German coach Marco Rose will take charge of the team starting next season, once the announced departure of Andoni Iraola.
The Spanish coach revealed last week that he will leave the club on the south coast of England at the end of this season, after three years on his bench.
Rose, former coach of the Borussia Dortmund and of RB Leipzigsigned a three-year contract with Bournemouth.
“The Cherries” occupy eighth place in the Premier League and with five games remaining they aspire to qualify for European competition.
