In the men’s basketball division final, Team USA overcame France to earn gold in the Olympics. Stephen Curry helped the United States win 98-87, a game that at one time looked too close to be a loss. NBA analyst Amin Elhassan stood aside to give Victor Wembanyama his flowers after the US team lost, while everyone else supported the US team.
Elhassan discussed Wemby and his response to the defeat on SiriusXM NBA radio. Wembanyama guided the French national team to the championship game despite being just 20 years old. And it provoked a rather emotional response to lose on the grandest international platform of them all.
“He seemed to be the guy that was hit the hardest with that loss. Other French players were like, ‘We did our best, whatever.’ Victor Wembanyama looked crushed by that. And I like that. It reminded me of All-Star weekend like, ‘This guy cares.’”
“I pray that [Victor Wembanyama] never loses that”
@TheDarthAmin explains to @TheJaxShow what he took away from watching the #Spurs center’s loss to the United States. pic.twitter.com/pJrXEhymt1
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 11, 2024
Amin witnessed Victor crying after the Olympic finals match loss to the United States. And he was grateful beyond measure for that.
“I pray this kid never loses that. He never loses that feeling of—He never gets too cool. Like, ‘I’m too cool to care about that.’ I want him to continue to care about this, about the All-Star game, about everything basketball-related when he steps on the court. Because we all see the path for him to be the best player in the league… I think it’s gonna do volumes for our game for the best player in our league to care the way this guy cares.”
Compared to the other members of the French national team, Wembanyama’s response was distinct. It’s safe to assume that Wemby carried the team to the Finals by riding his back. Wemby was visibly distraught since he knew he gave it everything he had to help France win the gold, but he ended up coming in second place, while the other French players were content with their efforts.
Wemby crying 😭 pic.twitter.com/ligWkOZ8bZ
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) August 10, 2024
Elhassan also commended the Spurs center for his passionate reply. These days, it is uncommon to encounter a player displaying that kind of feeling. Wemby has all the potential to be the top player in the league, as he said. Amin believes that the league’s face exhibiting such intense feelings will benefit the NBA in the long run.
Following the defeat by the United States, a little excerpt from Wemby’s interview has gone viral. This is what the French sensation had to say, putting the league and the international teams on notice.
“I’m learning… I’m worried for the opponents in a couple years.”
Here’s the actual audio quote from Wembanyama that has gone viral, shared by Express-News reporter @mikefinger, who asked Wemby the question. pic.twitter.com/4akBGDatSP
— SpursRΞPORT (@SpursReporter) August 11, 2024
The one phrase Wemby said in response to being asked if he meant the NBA or FIBA was “Everywhere.”And that will undoubtedly make coaches and players shudder to think about what lies ahead for them.
