Wemby Watch: Victor Steps on Ballboy’s Foot Before Mavs Game, Pop Sits Him Again

Story of the Game

The ballboy will probably draw some ire but his placement on the floor looked very reasonable; it was Victor’s fault for stepping on his foot.

But, more broadly, it’s Pop’s fault for helicoptering over Victor and sitting him for an ankle tweak.

If this was just an isolated incident in and of itself, I wouldn’t judge the caution harshly.

But Victor’s averaging a paltry 30.2 mintues per game and he’s already had two “injury” (rest) games so far.

The look on Victor’s face said it all. He knew he wouldn’t be playing as soon as Pop got wind of the story. Pop has obsessive compulsive disorder with limiting Victor’s minutes and games played.

Victor Stats

Out

Quick Thoughts

All Pop’s over-precaution is going to result in is Victor keeping his mouth shut when he actually is hurting.

Bumps and bruises happen, let the guy play.

Unless Victor specifically said he was uncertain about his ankle, he should have played.

If he did indicate doubt, then, of course, I’m 100% with sitting out.

But what I saw was a run-of-the-mill mild ankle twist that Victor could have played through.

And Pop helicopter mommed him.

It’s such a bad position for Victor to be in and I know he doesn’t want to have to take control from Gregg Popovich, but Victor is going to have to tell Pop how things are going to go.

It’s better to take charge now because otherwise he’s going to lose even more of his career to Pop’s OCD.

It’s great that Victor was so amenable to coaching, but very unfortunately, he arrived just in time for Pop’s downfall. Well, a few years after the tumbling began, but you get the point.

Pre-Game Setup

The Mavs-Spurs matchup is game #28 for the Spurs.

Betting: Mavs -7, Over/Under 239.5

(Guess-Prediction: I’ll take the Spurs and the over.)

Betting Record going into the game 14–13–1.

The Spurs travel to Dallas for this contest.