The Wembanyama hype express hit a nasty pot hole inside Madison Square Garden, where Mitchell Robinson and the Knicks made the “Alien” look very human.
Victor Wembanyama’s NYC debut became a lesson in physicality and Tom Thibodeau’s committed defense.
The Frenchman was flustered and appeared slow while scoring 14 points — most of it in garbage time — on 4 of 12 shooting with three turnovers in San Antonio’s 126-105 loss Wednesday to the Knicks.
The Garden crowd even turned on Wembanyama.
After cheering him during introductions, they started an “overrated” chant at the end of the third quarter.
Welcome to New York, kid.
Stink and you’ll hear about it.
Anticipation was soaring for Wembanyama’s first Garden appearance.
About 30 media members showed up to San Antonio’s morning shootaround — several hours before the tipoff — just to interview Wemby for a few minutes.
It was easily the most reporters at MSG for a shootaround since pre-pandemic.
Nicknamed “Alien” by LeBron James, Wembanyama’s combination of height (legitimate 7-foot-4), athleticism and skill is unrivaled in NBA history.
The 2023 first-overall pick largely lived up to the hype in his opening seven games, averaging 19.4 points with 2.6 blocks heading into Wednesday.
But Wemby’s game deteriorated quickly against the Knicks.
Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein, who alternated defensive shifts on the rookie, gave Wembanyama no space and kept him away from the rim.
His first stint ended after five minutes with zero points, three misses, one airball and a 19-8 Spurs deficit.
The final play of the first quarter was Hartenstein floating in a shot over Wembanyama’s outstretched arm.
From there, it only got a smidge better for Wembanyama.
He didn’t hit a field goal until late in the third quarter.
Twelve of his 14 points occurred in extended garbage time.
The Spurs were outscored by 25 points during Wembanyama’s 30 minutes, the worst plus-minus of the evening on either team.
The Knicks, who led by 30 in the third quarter, benefitted from a balanced attack featuring Jalen Brunson (25 points), RJ Barrett (23), Julius Randle (23) and Immanuel Quickley (19).
Wembanyama was excited for his Garden game, saying he was eager to find out why so many others — including coach Gregg Popovich — called it the best gym in the world.
An article on TMZ Sports claimed, solely based on Twitter mentions, that Knick fans were furious at Wembanyama’s line, “[MSG] is smaller than I expected.”
But Wednesday’s sellout crowd seemed only offended by his performance.
It cheered Wembanyama during introductions and on his first field goal in the third quarter.
The rudest treatment was on the court.
Robinson, to his credit, downplayed Wembanyama’s size two nights prior.
“I’m not really worried about the tallness, bro,” Robinson said.
Good call.
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