Here are the stories that caught the eye of our editors last week:
Words to action: Victor Wembanyama already in the NBA Finals
"I want to learn how to win as quickly as possible."
That’s what Victor Wembanyama said in October 2023, during the San Antonio Spurs’ traditional media day. It’s all well and good to be ambitious, but he was joining a team in the midst of a complete rebuild, who had won just 22 games the previous season – their lowest tally since 1997.
Wemby, although he has been in the spotlight for a long time, still has some way to go in dealing with the media. That summer, for example, he had declared his intention to restore the French national team to the very top, only to pull out of a World Cup that turned out to be a disaster for Les Bleus.
We saw him avoid the press conference after Game 5. But this statement makes a lot more sense now.
Coming off a second season cut short by injury in February, there were plenty of questions. This season was supposed to launch his path to the top.
Clearly, he is on the verge of reaching the end of that path in less than a year: going from 34 to 62 wins in the regular season was a sign, certainly, but the playoffs are a different world.
And his postseason is already an all-timer. Breaking records for precociousness, racking up standout performances, producing impressive stats with disconcerting ease: none of that is difficult.
But winning Game 7 on the home court of the reigning champions and overwhelming favourites to retain their title, the Oklahoma City Thunder, is something else.
And he did it without a tremor of nervousness, but with stunning composure that rubbed off on all his teammates. A determination to win that has been spoken of time and again, but when words are backed up by deeds, it never fails to leave one speechless. That was the message that came across in his post-Game 7 press conference.
"My life is amazing; I'm surrounded by these guys I love dearly – it's incredible. I hope to feel this way many times in my life. All those hours of hard work are for moments like this. I want to win so badly, it's as if my life depended on it."
The NBA has seen its fair share of players touted as prodigies. Yao Ming, Blake Griffin, Zion Williamson… They all talked about winning as quickly as possible, yet none of them even made it to a conference final.
In just three seasons, Wembanyama is already in the NBA Finals. Better still, on paper, he has been the best player in these finals. He still has to prove it on the court. But now that he has learnt to back up his words with actions, things are looking brilliant.
Sébastien Gente
Knicks on the cusp of ending years of pain
The relentless New York Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to book their spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, and they now stand four wins away from ending so many years of hurt for a desperate fan base.
The Knicks have stormed through the playoffs, winning 11 straight games with a point differential of +262. That is the greatest 11-game run in NBA history - regular season or playoffs.
New York have won the NBA title twice, with their last triumph coming all the way back in 1973. These players are on the cusp of becoming legends in their city.
One man already a legend in New York, and can elevate himself to even loftier heights, is Jalen Brunson.
The guard has yet again been exceptional during the playoffs. He is averaging 26.9 points and 6.6 assists during this postseason. He is also shooting 48.6% from the field - a career-high during the playoffs.
But in truth, it has been a team effort, and everyone deserves credit.
The Spurs are going to be a mighty test in the Finals, but if they can carry the momentum they currently have, then what is stopping them from rewriting the history books?
Tolga Akdeniz
Can Luka Doncic help bridge the gap between the NBA and Europe?
Luka Doncic and former Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson are taking a significant step toward expanding the reach of basketball in Europe. Doncic is joining an investment group that is going to purchase Vanoli Cremona – a professional basketball club located in Cremona, Italy. The new leadership plans on relocating the team to Rome.
“I have dreamed about owning a team in Europe for a long time, to finally have this happen is amazing,” Doncic said. “Vanoli has a great history, and we are ready to take it to the next level in Rome. We have an amazing group of partners, and I really believe we can do something special for basketball in Italy and Europe.”
The Slovenian superstar hopes the project can help accelerate efforts to create a stronger connection between the NBA and European basketball. The ownership group has already submitted a bid for Rome to become one of the flagship franchises in the proposed NBA Europe league.
According to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the league is working closely with FIBA on plans to launch a new European competition as early as 2027. Doncic's involvement could provide additional momentum for the initiative, with Rome emerging as a potential host city. Current proposals envision a 16-team league featuring 12 permanent clubs and four additional teams that would qualify each season.
“Vanoli Cremona has a proud history, and we are committed to honouring that legacy as we build toward an exciting future in Rome. This city has been without top-flight basketball for too long. That changes now. We are bringing the resources, the expertise, and the passion to make this club a source of pride for Rome and for all of Italy,” said Nelson.
Doncic is arguably the most prominent European-born NBA star of his generation, elevating the NBA. Now, he has an opportunity to influence the sport beyond the court. Can he help to achieve the first-ever collaboration between the two different spheres?
Michaela Gaislerová