Player The unfortunately low-ceilinged Shaolin monastery of Victor Wembanyama

[100%Duncan]

One aspect that no one has commented much about here or in social media is how Wemby doesnt appear all that gassed late in games.

In previous years he would have his hands on his hips, sometimes walking back down on offense.

The past 2 games, he for sure was fatigued and you can see glimpses of that in his play but with much better body language.

 

[ace3g]

 

[couchman]

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think Wemby needs to shoot a few more threes.
I want the emphasis on interior play to continue but we need him to also stretch the defense a bit.

 

[sKiN20]

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think Wemby needs to shoot a few more threes.
I want the emphasis on interior play to continue but we need him to also stretch the defense a bit.

i guess 4 to 5 3point attempts will be fine.

 

[PanameSpur]

Victor is the 5th best player in the league already imo.

Jokic
Shai
Giannis
Luka

Wemby

He’s probably another year away from cracking that top 4 and will depend on how his offensive game/self creation continues to develop.

I guess you're only taking offense into account...

 

[RC_Drunkford]

One aspect that no one has commented much about here or in social media is how Wemby doesnt appear all that gassed late in games.

In previous years he would have his hands on his hips, sometimes walking back down on offense.

The past 2 games, he for sure was fatigued and you can see glimpses of that in his play but with much better body language.

Plenty of people here said his conditioning is much better

 

[Kick-Stand]

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think Wemby needs to shoot a few more threes.
I want the emphasis on interior play to continue but we need him to also stretch the defense a bit.

I like him taking them when wide open, which is pretty much what he did today (other than taking the two when the shot clock was expiring). Overall I like the way he has strongly cut down on the attempts though. He's not gonna shoot 10-15 FTA bombing from three all the time like last year.

 

[100%Duncan]

Plenty of people here said his conditioning is much better

Must have missed that tbh. But yah, it’s really encouraging to see.

 

[Thoodee]

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think Wemby needs to shoot a few more threes.
I want the emphasis on interior play to continue but we need him to also stretch the defense a bit.

You shut your whore mouth!

 

[TDomination]

I like him taking them when wide open, which is pretty much what he did today (other than taking the two when the shot clock was expiring). Overall I like the way he has strongly cut down on the attempts though. He's not gonna shoot 10-15 FTA bombing from three all the time like last year.

exactly.
Difference so far this year is that he is not settling for 3's. that was the problem imo.
like if the opponent is on a run, and as a desperate attempt to turn the tides wemby forces up a 3 with no ball movement.
this year, he pump fakes out of the 3 and will either drive or pass it out and then position himself into the post.

but open 3's after ball movement or momentum 3's like taking one after blocking a shot on the other end, bring them on!

 

[TDomination]

when i saw his reaction after this shot, all i could think about was how he seems to be playing with so much joy so far this year.

 

[SpursFan86]

While I agree that it's been nice to see him be less reliant on the 3-ball, there have also been several instances where he's WIDE open from 3 and hesitates. Like he'll almost do a pump fake type motion but there's not even a defender close enough to him to jump or get off balance. Definitely being nitpicky here but would like to see him just fire those sorts of shots away.

Only a 3 game sample size, but he's been the best player in the league so far this year and that's even with him having a few quarters (out of 12 total) where he's been "quiet". At this point he absolutely has the highest ceiling of any player in the league: when Vic is at his best, he already impacts the game in a way that no one else can. The question will be can he develop the consistency to do it night in and night out (as well as the consistency mid-game to not have those 4-6 minute stretches of struggling).

Still think it's premature to put him over SGA/Jokic/Giannis but he’s knocking on the door already which is insane given his age. Given his rate of improvement so far it wouldn’t surprise me if he forces himself into that tier before the season is over.

 

[brazil]

While I agree that it's been nice to see him be less reliant on the 3-ball, there have also been several instances where he's WIDE open from 3 and hesitates. Like he'll almost do a pump fake type motion but there's not even a defender close enough to him to jump or get off balance. Definitely being nitpicky here but would like to see him just fire those sorts of shots away.

Only a 3 game sample size, but he's been the best player in the league so far this year and that's even with him having a few quarters (out of 12 total) where he's been "quiet". At this point he absolutely has the highest ceiling of any player in the league: when Vic is at his best, he already impacts the game in a way that no one else can. The question will be can he develop the consistency to do it night in and night out (as well as the consistency mid-game to not have those 4-6 minute stretches of struggling).

Still think it's premature to put him over SGA/Jokic/Giannis but he’s knocking on the door already which is insane given his age. Given his rate of improvement so far it wouldn’t surprise me if he forces himself into that tier before the season is over.

It is evident that he is making a conscious effort to shoot less 3, go more inside, cut the TOs and being less of a playmaker and more a finisher, this is what he is planning for the season at least the beginning. This results on unnecessay hesitations at times slowing down the offense. I've rarely seen a player moving that drastically from a play style to another and I will add that efficiently, crazy to go from KD to Hakeem in one offseason, it will take a bit of time to balance it out. Spurs needs 3 pts shooting and high pace offense, so we far we are too slow when not in transition. It is not an easy balance to find for Victor but then again you are a gerenational talent or you are not.

 

[Guru of Nothing]

Man, there is some rich content to develop here, documenting the Wemby years in black and white in Spurs gear.

 

[Neuromancer]

Only 3 games but Victors advanced stats are insane right now

43 PER, .489 WS/48, 16.1 BPM

 

[SpursFan86]

Only 3 games but Victors advanced stats are insane right now

43 PER, .489 WS/48, 16.1 BPM

Leading the league in PER, WS/48 and VORP. Barely behind Luka in BPM (Luka is at 16.2 vs. VW's 16.1) but Luka has only played 2 games.

Obviously there will be some regression (right...?), but damn is it impressive what he's done so far.

 

[Fireball]

Leading the league in PER, WS/48 and VORP. Barely behind Luka in BPM (Luka is at 16.2 vs. VW's 16.1) but Luka has only played 2 games.

Obviously there will be some regression (right...?), but damn is it impressive what he's done so far.

there will be regression. the stats are inflated by the way Wemby blitzed a clueless Dallas team. we have yet to play a top team.

 

[spurraider21]

 

[spurraider21]

that keldon "highlight" around the 2 minute mark... sheesh

 

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1982897833763320327

 

[Shmurs]

What’s getting funnier and funnier is when he does a completely legal block, but whoever shot it is just begging the ref for a goaltend, thinking no way could a human block their layup. Happens all the time and these dudes aren’t even close.

 

[FiestaSpurs]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1981933935744500181

 

[ace3g]

 

[STAT88]

Victor might be the best player in the world by this season at this rate

 

[Paramore]

Player of the Week!

Congratulations Wemby!