Mentioning Victor Wembanyama today always arouses countless excitement and expectations. The 7-foot-4 French prodigy has shown transformative potential since joining the San Antonio Spurs last year. Although the Spurs’ record of only 22 wins in his rookie season was not ideal, Wembanyama’s personal performance was impeccable and he has become a key figure in the future of the Spurs. The success or failure of the rebuilding of the Silver and Black Army will depend on this player who is not yet 21 years old. young people. All eyes will be on him in the upcoming 2024-25 season – his continued growth, adaptability, and how to improve the performance of his teammates will undoubtedly affect how far the Spurs can go.
Amazing performance in rookie season
Wembanyama’s rookie season was amazing and a historic performance. His game averages are 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and a league-high 3.6 blocks. He is also the first player in history to reach 1,500 points, 250 blocks and 100 three-pointers in a single season. Not only did he immediately become the team’s dominant player on both offense and defense, but his defensive prowess quickly became the cornerstone of the Spurs’ defense. The unanimous Rookie of the Year winner almost won the Defensive Player of the Year award as a rookie. It is rare to say that Wemby’s 8-foot wingspan makes him a “defensive tower” in the penalty area, and he became the youngest member of the annual defensive first team in NBA history. Many believe he will be a strong contender for Defensive Player of the Year in the future, and this defensive potential will lay a solid foundation for the Spurs for many years. Behind these statistics, it means that Wembanyama is not only a defender, but also a ruler who changes the rhythm of the game.
He also averaged 8.4 defensive rebounds per game. His defensive influence is not limited to blocking attacks. His defensive intimidation can often disrupt the opponent’s passing routes and shot selections, and even make the opponent reconsider whether to take a shot. It is no wonder that Wemby is regarded as a new player. The biggest favorite in DPOY this season. This also makes it more difficult for opponents to find effective ways to attack when facing the Spurs. The Spurs’ overall defensive efficiency is expected to improve in the new season. Wembanyama’s influence extends far beyond the data level. He represents the rise of a new era for the Spurs, rekindling championship hopes for a team once dominated by David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich also said: “With Victor, everything has changed.” Wemby’s defensive presence and impact on the game have indeed significantly improved the Spurs’ defensive efficiency. When Wembanyama is on the court, the opponent’s defensive efficiency per 100 possessions He scored 8.2 points less, and his impact is comparable to Stephen Curry on the offensive end.
His rim protection and flexible offensive game show why he was considered a “generational talent” long before he entered the NBA. In the last month of the season, he averaged 5.6 hot shots per game, establishing himself as the league’s top basket defender. If you look at Wemby’s results after the All-Star Game: 23.5 points, 12 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. , 4.5 hot shots and 1.5 interceptions, this is an unprecedented and unique achievement in history. Even if every data is discounted by 10%, only one person has achieved it: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in his peak period.
Wembanyama is known as the tall “Kevin Durant” but has the defensive ability of “Anthony Davis”. Whether it’s dribbling back, jumping shots, or defending in the penalty area, his performance on both the offensive and defensive ends is top-notch.
Wembanyama’s versatility on the offensive end is also admirable, with incredible speed and flexibility, and his style of play combines the essence of traditional center and modern basketball. Wemby’s offensive coverage is wide. Not only can he flexibly use his height advantage to complete the finishing score at the basket, but he can also pull outside the three-point line to shoot, which makes him a multi-faceted weapon for the Spurs on the offensive end. He can cut without the ball, catch the ball and shoot jumpers, and even has certain ball-handling abilities, which allows him to create opportunities in fast breaks and half-court offenses.
Although his three-point shooting percentage was only 32.5% last season, his gradually improved three-point shooting ability, coupled with his smooth shooting touch, still forces opponents to respect his shooting threat, thereby creating mismatches across the court. His 79.6% free throw shooting percentage also makes it impossible for opponents to easily inhibit his destructive power in the penalty area through fouls.
With the accumulation of experience and the arrival of new teammates (such as point guard master Chris Paul), Wembanyama’s offensive efficiency is expected to further improve in the new season. In the coming season, his scoring ability will be further developed, which will also become a major advantage for the Spurs on the offensive end. The 2024-25 season will be a critical moment for Wembanyama to prove his offensive growth.
For the Spurs, Wemby’s influence is not only on the court, but his influence off the court is phenomenal, and it is not limited to San Antonio, and it is not limited to the United States. The French genius won the silver medal on behalf of the French team at the 2024 Paris Olympics and contributed 26 points and 7 rebounds in the gold medal game against the United States, demonstrating his leadership style in the international arena. This Olympic experience not only enhanced his confidence in playing, but also laid the foundation for his further growth after returning to the NBA.
