Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs had a strong opportunity to level their series against the New York Knicks in Game 2, but a series of late errors ultimately cost them the win.
Heading into a must-win Game 3, seven-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson delivered a straightforward message directed at Wembanyama.
What Joe Johnson Said to Victor Wembanyama About His Shaolin Temple Training
In the latest episode of the “Nightcap” podcast, Shannon Sharpe, Chad Johnson, and Joe Johnson weighed in on Wembanyama’s performance ahead of the Spurs’ Game 3 against Jalen Brunson and the Knicks.
Johnson sent a pointed message to the Frenchman, referencing the 22-year-old’s unusual offseason experience.
“You don’t talk about everybody’s confidence being shaken,” Johnson said. “‘Hey, I’ve been with the monks.’ Damn, it is time for it to come out. If I got anything, I learned from the monks. Yes, I’m going to come out right now in the game. You know what I mean? The first two games, they just have this low, to where once they gain a lead, they start playing pickup basketball, bro.”
“You got to start to milk possessions and value every possession even when you (are) up 12 or 13 points. I think that’s been the only disappointment for the Spurs. They get these big leads, and then they have a tendency to relax.”
The comments tie back to Wembanyama’s well-documented 10-day training and meditation retreat at China’s Shaolin Temple near Zhengzhou.
During the stay, he fully immersed himself in monastic life, shaving his head, wearing traditional robes, following a strict diet, and undergoing intense physical and mental training.
Wembanyama’s routine reportedly included extreme endurance exercises, including long night hikes up steep stone steps, balance-focused drills, and even challenging mountain climbs while dribbling a basketball.
Wembanyama completed a demanding route in just 4.5 hours. The experience was seen as a turning point in his physical and mental development, with some crediting it for his incredible playoff performances earlier in the postseason against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, Wembanyama has looked less sharp in the current Knicks series. The key moment came in Game 2, when a haywire pass to Castle led to a costly turnover, giving the Knicks possession and eventually a 105-104 lead to put San Antonio in a 0-2 hole.
Monday presents San Antonio a chance to rewrite history, as no team has gone on to win the title after losing the first two home games in the NBA Finals.
