Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Don’t confuse Wemby wanting to win with him being critical. The Spurs’ rebuild is moving faster than expected, and much of that is thanks to Victor Wembanyama’s stellar play in his sophomore season. With an 18-18 record and stats worthy of All-NBA chatter, Wemby’s early career has been a revelation. Yet, after a string of tough losses in late December and early January, the Spurs’ momentum has hit a wall — and with it, the rumor mill is churning. Is Wemby unhappy with the Spurs? With his teammates? Or is his frustration aimed at acting head coach Mitch Johnson? After a painful fourth-quarter collapse against the Bulls, Wemby’s postgame comments raised eyebrows across the league. When asked about the Spurs’ struggles, he admitted, “We need more than one game plan.” Fans and analysts alike have latched onto the remark, interpreting it as a thinly veiled critique of Johnson’s coaching approach. Social media lit up with takes, calling it a potential shot at Johnson’s rotations and late-game strategy. Am I tripping or did Vic basically just say Mitch Johnson isn’t doing his job? pic.twitter.com/vYzMm8lIhT— Spurs Era (@EraSpurs) January 8, 2025 A Frustrating Fourth-Quarter Trend The narrative is clear: Wembanyama’s impact in the final frame has been minimal in recent games. Johnson’s adjustments — shorter rotations, reduced minutes for key players like Malaki Branham and Sandro Mamukelashvili, and increased reliance on Wemby — have come under scrutiny. While this strategy has led to some victories, it’s also left Wembanyama visibly fatigued late in games. The 21-year-old phenom has looked gassed in the closing minutes, unable to dominate. It’s easy to try to connect these dots: Wemby’s diminished late-game performances, his heavier workload, and his public statement about the need for more adaptability. But is that tension being overstated? Wemby’s Straight Shooter Style This isn’t the first time Wembanyama has been candid with the media. His straightforward answers—whether it’s about his Rookie of the Year ambitions or his take on the Spurs’ game plan—are often mistaken for arrogance. But make no mistake: Wemby’s honesty is rooted in his confidence, not ego. His “more than one game plan” comment could be taken as constructive criticism rather than outright frustration. A young leader like Wembanyama isn’t afraid to push his team or hold himself accountable. What he won’t do, though, is air dirty laundry in public. That’s not how he operated in France, and it’s certainly not in line with his upbringing or character. A Destiny Tied to San Antonio Let’s not forget how much being a Spur means to Victor. Who can ever forget Peter Holt’s reaction to the results announced by Mark Tatum, the NBA Deputy commissioner? Peter Holt’s reaction Across the Atlantic, Nike had organized a live event for the NBA lottery night, during which Victor, surrounded by his family and friends, could witness the lottery. What unfolded that ealy morning in Paris, by then it was 2am in France, should be engraved in every Spurs fan’s memory forever. First was Victor’s reaction to Houston getting the 4th pick. Priceless. But then came the moment were all stars aligned. Number #1 pick for San Antonio. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NBA (@nba) Victor’s reaction as well as his parents’ dumfounded smiles tell us everything we needed to know about the Spurs getting the number pick in the 2023 draft. It was and always had been Victor’s wildest dream to become a number 1 pick and land with the Spurs. On lottery night, he famously told his friends, “Je le savais”—“I knew it”—after the Spurs secured the No. 1 pick. That belief in destiny has carried over to his approach with the team. Wemby’s dream isn’t just to be great; it’s to be great in San Antonio, alongside the franchise that believed in him from the start. Sure, growing pains are part of any rebuild. There will be bumps in the road, missteps by both players and coaches, and moments of frustration. But Wemby’s drive to succeed ensures he won’t settle for mediocrity. His comments aren’t shots fired—they’re sparks to ignite growth. The Bottom Line Spurs fans, don’t expect that Wemby’s words represent an attack on Mitch Johnson or the organization but rather a reflection of his unrelenting desire to win. The 4th-quarter struggles we’re seeing now are just growing pains. Rest assured, Wemby, his coach, and his teammates will figure it out—and when they do, the league better be ready. As for Mitch Johnson? The ball’s in his court to show he can adapt and rise to the challenge of coaching one of the most promising young stars in NBA history.