Around The Beat: Maxime Aubin On Wembanyama, Spurs Playoff Hopes & France’s NBA Pipeline

Описание: Cyro Asseo and Sam are back with a new episode of HoopsHype’s Around the Beat, the show that brings you the pulse of every team. This week, they’re joined by Maxime Aubin of L’Equipe to talk all things San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama from both the local and French perspective.

Maxime shares what it’s been like covering Wemby in San Antonio, how the Spurs’ rebuild is finally coming together, and why this team feels ahead of schedule. The crew also dives into Wembanyama’s growth on and off the court, the culture around the Spurs, the French fan perspective, and what Victor’s rise means for basketball in France.

They also discuss:

How Wembanyama’s third season mindset has changed

Why the Spurs’ young core is starting to click

The locker room habits and routines that show Wemby’s growth

How French media and fans view Victor compared to American audiences

What Victor learned from Olympic play and losing to Team USA

The growing France vs. USA basketball rivalry

The future of French basketball and the next wave of prospects

Wembanyama’s long-term ceiling and why winning is all that matters to him

Catch the full episode and stay locked in for more Around the Beat coverage all season.

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YouTube Timestamps
00:00:00 - Intro: Maxime’s move from NYC to San Antonio to cover Wemby

00:01:44 - The Spurs’ rebuild and Mitch Johnson’s impact as head coach

00:03:36 - Inside the locker room: Spurs culture and team chemistry

00:05:26 - Wemby’s Year 2 evolution and intense pregame meditation routine

00:07:03 - NBA media access vs. European soccer media access

00:08:51 - French fans bringing European soccer energy to Spurs games

00:10:50 - Wemby’s massive popularity and media coverage back in France

00:12:40 - How losing in the Paris Olympics fueled Wemby’s competitive fire

00:14:55 - The Chet Holmgren rivalry and challenging Team USA’s dominance

00:16:59 - Can basketball ever close the gap with soccer in France? (INSEP Academy)

00:21:19 - The stoicism of French players and Wemby’s connection to French media

00:24:02 - Maxime’s favorite Wemby memory & the scary blood clot news

00:27:54 - Dealing with French haters and Wemby's media perception

00:32:14 - Finding balance: Covering the rest of the NBA and WNBA

00:33:45 - Wemby speaking his mind on global issues and politics

00:37:18 - The next wave of French NBA talent (Alex Sarr, Nolan Traoré, Rudy Gobert)

00:39:54 - Wemby's on-court growth, shot selection, and negotiating his minutes

00:43:30 - The veteran impact: Bismack Biyombo's shared roots and mentorship

00:46:04 - Outro & where to follow Maxime’s work at L'Équipe