Steph Curry is 6-foot-3. Victor Wembanyama is 7-foot-4. It was no surprise who won their opening tipoff.
Steph Curry vs Victor Wembanyama jumpball pic.twitter.com/nAaumqy6HO
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 21, 2023
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr sent out Curry, a point guard not known for his leaping ability, to match up with the San Antonio Spurs’ No. 1 pick in the circle. Curry missed the ball by about nine inches.
The move was clearly designed to entertain Kerr’s old mentor, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Coach Pop is known for doing his own pranks, like when he intentionally fouled Shaquille O’Neal five seconds into the 2008-09 season.
With Gregg Popovich becoming the all-time wins leader last night... we look back at the time Coach Pop had the @spurs Hack-a-Shaq right after tip off. pic.twitter.com/QCCsur2S0A
— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2022
O’Neal had complained about the Spurs’ use of the Hack-a-Shaq technique in the previous year’s playoffs, so Popovich trolled him by doing it right away in the season opener.
The joke may have been on Kerr, as Wembanyama destroyed the Warriors early. In seven minutes, the French big man scored 12 points, blocked three shots and had a steal. And one opening tip.
On one play, he blocked Andrew Wiggins and sank a three on the other end.
Victor Wembanyama is a created player.
— . (@tsnmknd) October 21, 2023
There’s absolutely no way he should be doing any of this.
What kind of behavior is this?!pic.twitter.com/HBbfADb2bn
On another, he blocked Klay Thompson’s three-pointer and ran the floor for an easy dunk.
My goodness
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) October 21, 2023
Victor Wembanyama just blocked a Klay Thompson 3 then dunked in transition pic.twitter.com/Ppsj8f7MQl
Take heed, NBA coaches. Wembanyama does not appreciate your jokes.
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