Michael Malone praised Julian Strawther for his bravery in facing disgrace. Unfortunately, the No. 29 draft pick didn’t consider a slam dunk until the No. 1 pick was four feet above him.

Fouling saved Strawther from annihilation. Strawther nervously laughed as Ball Arena celebrated Victor Wembanyama’s missed dunk.

Strawther told The Denver Post, “He was really far out, so my initial mindset was, ‘OK, I’m gonna contest the layup here. “When he reached his arm back, I thought, ‘Whatever happens happens.’” I am here. No turning back. It can’t be teleported out.

The building buzzed with surprise after seeing a “almost” amazing moment. So impressive is the 7-foot-4 San Antonio Spurs rookie. The Nuggets won 132-120 Sunday night to see him for the first time. Wembanyama, whose pre-draft fanfare was the loudest since LeBron James, with 22 points, 11 rebounds, six steals, and four blocks in loss.“Yeah, he’s tall,” said Nuggets 6-foot-10 sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr., who looked like an undersized guard against Wembanyama early in the game.

His age is 19. He doesn’t feаr fatigue. “He’s playing hard,” Nikola Jokic added. “… He doesn’t overlook it. Normal mistakes are made by him. I think the media doesn’t assist him, but he’ll adjust. He’ll absolutely transform the game. His path is already set.”

The Spurs (3-14) aren’t very dangerous without Wembanyama, but the youngster makes them one of the NBA’s must-see teams at a time of extreme parity. When within reach, he could poke the ball away and cause turnovers from almost impossible angles, making post entry passes a Nuggets nightmare. In the first quarter, Jokic did something he rarely does. He passed up a layup under the basket with nobody in his path because he sensed Wembanyama behind him.

Jokic stated that he did not modify his play due to the length, which resulted in a few blocked shots. I didn’t. I was meant to.”

The two-time MVP also lauded Wembanyama for adapting to screen defense and being more adaptable than most players his size defensively.

This guy guards everyone on the floor. “He can guard one through five,” Jokic remarked. I think that’s excellent for him—to learn every floor spot. Experience-wise. He presumably played center back in France, so chasing guys is hard for him.”

Porter sympathized with Wembanyama for going from success in Europe to losing 12 straight games so early in his NBA career, recalling his own experience with high expectations as a former No. 1 high school recruit and predicted No. 1 pick before injuries.

With Aaron Gordon out with a heel ιnjury Sunday, Porter started for Denver as their fourth. His length is closest to Wembanyama’s. Porter attempted a rare feat: guarding a taller opponent.

“I think (I approach it) similar to what a shorter guy would do to me,” Porter said. “I dislike when defenders get underneath me and get physical. I feel like a 6-10 guy doesn’t usually get to do that defensively. However, you can apply that same strategy against a 7-4 opponent.”

San Antonio’s opening seven points came from Wembanyama, but the Nuggets limited him to 7-for-17 shooting. Denver’s rookie Strawther was determined to make him shoot free throws to score, even if his life was flashing before his eyes in the second half.

“A lot of guys are getting out of the way,” Malone said. People feаr getting dunked on SportsCenter. Vic Wembanyama will dunk on many. That player is great. His condition will improve. Julian having the guts to take a foul and stay because ‘I don’t want to get dunked on’ is a plus.

Strawther gratefully accepts credit.

“Make him earn ’em on the line,” he continued, “and everybody’s happy.”