[Akron Beach Journal] Spurs’ Malaki Branham talks about pre-season bonding with the team at the arcade, Popovich being tough on defence, and learning from his new teammate Victor Wembanyama
January 10, 2024
[Akron Beach Journal] Spurs’ Malaki Branham talks about pre-season bonding with the team at the arcade, Popovich being tough on defence, and learning from his new teammate Victor Wembanyama
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Snippets from the article:
####Team bonding
>When Wembanyama tried his hand at an electronic basketball game, the rookie who’s listed by the league as 7 feet, 4 inches and 210 pounds had quite an advantage. > >“He was literally just throwing the ball in the rim. He wasn’t even shooting it. He’s so tall, so he could just reach it and just throw it in. I’ve got a video of it. It’s pretty funny,” Branham told the Beacon Journal over the weekend.
####Coaching
>Branham said stern coaching has “made me become a better” player. > >“[Popovich is] one of a kind. He’s a Hall of Famer. He’s going to get on you, especially on the defensive side. You’ve got to have tough skin, for sure. … He can see the potential [in me], and if he sees the potential he’s going to be hard on you.”
####Wemby
>Branham can see great value in observing the center with a unique combination of size and ball-handling skills. > >“When he feels cold, he gets up off the bench and starts moving around, so he can get his body moving for him to get into the game,” Branham said. “He does a lot of ankle exercises. I remember one game in Houston, he literally rolled his ankle. His ankle basically touched the ground. He got up, and everything was good. So I feel like the preparation that he does is just one of a kind, and [I’m] trying to take some of that stuff from him ’cause he’s been a pro longer than me.”
1 comment
Snippets from the article:
####Team bonding
>When Wembanyama tried his hand at an electronic basketball game, the rookie who’s listed by the league as 7 feet, 4 inches and 210 pounds had quite an advantage.
>
>“He was literally just throwing the ball in the rim. He wasn’t even shooting it. He’s so tall, so he could just reach it and just throw it in. I’ve got a video of it. It’s pretty funny,” Branham told the Beacon Journal over the weekend.
####Coaching
>Branham said stern coaching has “made me become a better” player.
>
>“[Popovich is] one of a kind. He’s a Hall of Famer. He’s going to get on you, especially on the defensive side. You’ve got to have tough skin, for sure. … He can see the potential [in me], and if he sees the potential he’s going to be hard on you.”
####Wemby
>Branham can see great value in observing the center with a unique combination of size and ball-handling skills.
>
>“When he feels cold, he gets up off the bench and starts moving around, so he can get his body moving for him to get into the game,” Branham said. “He does a lot of ankle exercises. I remember one game in Houston, he literally rolled his ankle. His ankle basically touched the ground. He got up, and everything was good. So I feel like the preparation that he does is just one of a kind, and [I’m] trying to take some of that stuff from him ’cause he’s been a pro longer than me.”