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\n\t\t\tVictor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert have a long history together, with Gobert serving as something of a mentor for the Spurs\u2018 superstar as he was growing up, Tim Reynolds writes for AP News.
\n\u201cHe\u2019s meant a lot as a role model,\u201d Wembanyama said. \u201cThere\u2019s lots of (ways) that he inspired me and I think he should inspire more people in terms of taking care of your body. He should be a model for all big men. So, I would say that\u2019s the main thing.\u201d
\nGobert was similarly complimentary of his fellow Frenchman, both on and off the court.
\n\u201cI\u2019m very excited to watch him grow every day, to see his work paying off,\u201d Gobert said. \u201cOutside of the talent, he\u2019s someone that has a very unique soul, a very unique mind and nothing is an accident. It\u2019s not an accident that he\u2019s having the success that he\u2019s having.\u201d
\nNow the two Defensive Player of the Year winners are set to face off in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 1 on Monday, and Wembanyama is excited to go up against his mentor.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s even more fun if I\u2019m meant to play against Rudy,\u201d he said, per Johnny Askounis of EuroHoops.
\nWe have more Spurs news:<\/p>\n
Rookie forward Carter Bryant is being listed as questionable for Game 1 on Monday with a right foot sprain, after the team had previously stated that everyone was healthy heading into the second round, Tom Orsborn writes for the San Antonio Express-News. Carter Bryant played 9.2 minutes per game in the first round, hitting four of his nine threes.
\nHead coach Mitch Johnson wants his team, and himself, to \u201cembrace the mundane\u201d and not get caught up in the ups and downs of a playoff series, Orsborn writes. \u201cI think the one thing that stuck with me at times is as much as you want to do (more) and as far as your mind wanders, you just keep doing the same thing (you did in the regular season) and do it better,\u201d Johnson said. This is the message that Johnson has preached since the season started, and it becomes even more important in the playoffs. Stephon Castle had a simpler way of putting it: \u201cDon\u2019t get lackadaisical, don\u2019t get satisfied, just stick to what is working,\u201d Castle said. \u201cDon\u2019t get bored of doing things the right way.\u201d
\nWhile it\u2019s unclear where the 2025\/26 Spurs will rank in team history in terms of greatness, it\u2019s increasingly clear they\u2019re one of the franchise\u2019s most close-knit teams ever, Orsborn writes in a separate piece. \u201cGuys like being around each other,\u201d De\u2019Aaron Fox said. \u201cGuys like hanging out.\u201d The Spurs look to be well-rested heading into the series.<\/p>\n