San Antonio are going to the NBA Finals. And the man who put them there just sat down after the biggest game of his life and told the world exactly what was going on inside his head. Buckle up.
Because it wasn’t just talent. It wasn’t just preparation. It was something a lot more human than that and a lot more relatable than you’d expect from a 22-year-old who looks like he was sent from the future to break basketball.
First, Let’s Talk About What He Actually Did On That Court
Game 7. Western Conference Finals. Defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder on the other side. Two time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doing everything in his power to end San Antonio’s run.
And the Spurs won 111-103. Convincingly. With their young superstar finishing with 22 points and seven rebounds when it mattered most. Across the entire seven game series he averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and recorded 19 blocks the most in a conference finals since 2005.
This wasn’t a lucky win. This was a statement.
Now Here’s The Confession
After the final buzzer, Wembanyama sat down and did something most athletes absolutely refuse to do he was completely honest about his emotions.
“Sometimes these emotions, it’s passion, it’s love in the game, sometimes it’s anger, sometimes it might even be jealousy. But I don’t wanna weigh myself down with any of these energies, I use them on the court.”
Jealousy. From one of the most gifted players on the planet. Aimed at a two time MVP leading a defending championship team. And instead of bottling it up or pretending it didn’t exist, Wembanyama channelled every drop of it into a Game 7 performance for the ages.
Honestly? Respect.
The Kid Is Built Different
What makes this confession so fascinating is the self awareness behind it. Most athletes at 22 are still figuring out who they are. Wembanyama is already mining his own emotions for competitive fuel and talking about it with the composure of a seasoned veteran.
His coach Mitch Johnson said it best “He has such a vision of who he wants to be as a person and a player. The commitment and investment he puts in that vision is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
And Wembanyama himself? After reaching the NBA Finals for the first time he didn’t sit back and soak it in. He said “I want to do that 15, 20 more times. Let’s hope it doesn’t become an addiction. Maybe it is already.”
The man just got to the Finals and he’s already thinking about doing it again. Repeatedly. For the next two decades.
San Antonio Hasn’t Been Here Since 2014
For the Spurs faithful this one hits deep. Their last Finals appearance ended in a championship the famous 2014 dismantling of the Miami Heat that many still consider one of the greatest Finals performances ever. That was Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili. Legends.
Now it’s Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and rookie Dylan Harper carrying the torch. A completely new era but the same city, same franchise, same hunger.
Even Gilgeous-Alexander who dropped 35 points in a losing effort tipped his hat afterward. “They’re young. They’re talented. Well coached. They play the right way. They have the makeup to go get a title.”
When the guy you just eliminated is saying that about you, you know something special is brewing in San Antonio.
The Knicks Are Waiting
Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Wednesday night. San Antonio. Wembanyama vs the New York Knicks and whatever Mitchell Robinson can offer with a freshly operated finger in a brace.
Jealousy, passion, anger, love whatever emotions are fuelling this kid, the biggest stage in basketball is about to find out just how far they can take him. 🏀🔥
