This Friday, after a little thriller between Choletais and Levalloisiens, the Mets 92 won 92 to 87 at Marcel-Cerdan. Despite the success, Victor Wembanyama did not give his fans a premature gift by delivering – against the grain of the challenge at the top of the table – the minimum service. Debrief.
Are we really going to criticize the performance of an 18-year-old, clutchissime at the end of the game, who nevertheless dropped 24 points, took 8 rebounds and collected a plus/minus of +15 for 22 of evaluation? On paper, impossible to scratch anything. But the game brought to light several shortcomings on which the prodigy of the Mets 92 must work. Excellently defended by Kim Tillie et Justin Patton in the first half, Victor strayed too far from the circle, like Kristaps Porzingis after his first career injuries. Its impact then instantly diminished. No more simplistic rolled arms, big galleys to receive under the circle, a duel in the lower body largely lost against the interiors of Cholet: the hell of a shock from the top of the table. And yet, it was this same outside game that saved Victor at the end of the match, with three life-saving bomblets from a boosted Levallois team. But, unless his talent proves us wrong and he can get away with it every time on the distant success, it would have been better if he took care of his shot selection. More than ever, « it was a bad shot ». We know that the bad shot can come in (and is not necessarily a « bad shot » when you measure 2m21), but Victor must be able to do better against an interior sector weakened by a European game of the week.
THIS MATCH IS CRAZY ????#LNBTV #BetclicELITE pic.twitter.com/08kT02C5a1
— LNB (@LNBofficiel) December 23, 2022
In defense? Victor Wembanyama remains Victor Wembanyama, namely a lamppost who – no matter his offensive form – continues to deter by his mere presence in the key. A half-form that was enough, in addition to a huge Tremont Waters, to rule out Cholet. The two teams are no longer back to back, Levallois secures 2nd place while Laurent Vila’s group slips to the bottom of the podium. Next meeting Monday in Strasbourg for the Vic. Rest advised before slimming down on Boxing Day, with great blows of – we hope – 34 points and 16 rebounds. We like it when it looks like this. With a few dice assists if possible. He begins to lift his head very well the Victor. Don’t forget to point that out. It is important.