Player The unfortunately low-ceilinged Shaolin monastery of Victor Wembanyama

[The Ballsbreakers]

Much better game. I was hoping for a bit more rebounding and points (before the game I said I would be happy with 25/14 and the win, so points were fine, but would have liked to have seen better rebounding), but as always, I'll take the win. I at least agree with one thing Sean says - better to learn lessons in wins than losses.

One thing I just haven't gotten around to saying, I much prefer the double/triple teaming defenses are doing at the start of the season than game 1 or 2 of a playoff series. This is great that teams are doing it this early and I hope it continues throughout the season. I'd much rather the team go through this now and learn than have it happen in a playoff series (I was going to say this a few days ago, but was too mad with the losses). In a way, Victor forced teams to do it early.

You're right. It's good especially for a young player like Vic to get "prelude" of what playoff defenses (might) look like. May he learn a ton from this ordeal.

 

[Paramore]

 

[Sugus]

Much better game. I was hoping for a bit more rebounding and points (before the game I said I would be happy with 25/14 and the win, so points were fine, but would have liked to have seen better rebounding), but as always, I'll take the win. I at least agree with one thing Sean says - better to learn lessons in wins than losses.

One thing I just haven't gotten around to saying, I much prefer the double/triple teaming defenses are doing at the start of the season than game 1 or 2 of a playoff series. This is great that teams are doing it this early and I hope it continues throughout the season. I'd much rather the team go through this now and learn than have it happen in a playoff series (I was going to say this a few days ago, but was too mad with the losses). In a way, Victor forced teams to do it early.

This.

I've been very, very surprised with all the cliff-jumping around Victor's game the past few days - it's clear he's getting every single team's full attention each time he gets the ball, and that's overwhelming pressure for any 21yo. He needs to struggle, get beaten, get stripped, get trapped, triple-teamed, so that he can get that experience and learn from it. He is thankfully very outspoken and conscious about the process, and last night's game showed he's clearly working through the issues as we speak.

I'm almost sad that Fox is coming back so soon, in a way - these have been great tests and growing pains for Wemby, and an All-Star teammate taking heat off his back might lull him back into feeling like he's good enough at handling defenses, and then it'll switch in the playoffs. It's Victor so it's not a likely scenario, but still, I've been really liking the struggle from a "Demi-God physique" player.

 

[BankShot21]

This.

I've been very, very surprised with all the cliff-jumping around Victor's game the past few days - it's clear he's getting every single team's full attention each time he gets the ball, and that's overwhelming pressure for any 21yo. He needs to struggle, get beaten, get stripped, get trapped, triple-teamed, so that he can get that experience and learn from it. He is thankfully very outspoken and conscious about the process, and last night's game showed he's clearly working through the issues as we speak.

I'm almost sad that Fox is coming back so soon, in a way - these have been great tests and growing pains for Wemby, and an All-Star teammate taking heat off his back might lull him back into feeling like he's good enough at handling defenses, and then it'll switch in the playoffs. It's Victor so it's not a likely scenario, but still, I've been really liking the struggle from a "Demi-God physique" player.

The 40 point 15 rebound demolishon of the Mavs in game 1 probably gave everyone a false sense of a dominant MVP DPOY season. Especially against a quality front line of Lively and AD. Not saying he won't get there but that first game really was something crazy. It's a tough act to follow even for him

 

[brazil]

Spurs are now 6-2, teams are clearly paying attention and are starting to watch tapes. Victor has always been the center of attention but not with that intensity. It’s part of the process, Victor last night had a quiet stat lines but not a quiet game, call me crazy but it is maybe considering the actual circumstances one of Victor best game

 

[SpursFan86]

20/8/3/2 is not close to be one the best in the league. He needs atleast double double.

I said this is a “floor game”…meaning games like last night should pretty much be the worst performances we see from him. Obviously his average game should be quite a bit better than this or he’s nowhere near the player we expected.

 

[DAF86]

I said this is a “floor game”…meaning games like last night should pretty much be the worst performances we see from him. Obviously his average game should be quite a bit better than this or he’s nowhere near the player we expected.

We saw his floor game vs the Suns, tbh. Wemby is still pretty much suceptible to being erased from the game offensively. The coaching staff needs to make life easier for him and have him get the ball closer to the basket. More post ups and pick and rolls with Wemby as the roller, and less having him as the ball handler in the perimeter.

It is embarrassing that opposing coaches think it's ok to have Wemby being guarded by their PGs. Fucking Reed Sheppard was guarding Wemby at one point and the Spurs, as a team, couldn't do anything to take advantage of that situation. That can't happen if you want to contend for real and Wemby wants to be top 5 in the league.

 

[CGD]

^ the bottom line is this that it’s gonna look bad when our shooters can’t make the other team pay for doubling (Suns game) and great when they go (Rocket game). The Sun game was doubly bad bc they shot the ball unusually well. This was always the concern going in to the season.

Spurs looked rough against the Lakers too and really should have won that game.

 

[SpursFan86]

We saw his floor game vs the Suns, tbh. Wemby is still pretty much suceptible to being erased from the game offensively. The coaching staff needs to make life easier for him and have him get the ball closer to the basket. More post ups and pick and rolls with Wemby as the roller, and less having him as the ball handler in the perimeter.

It is embarrassing that opposing coaches think it's ok to have Wemby being guarded by their PGs. Fucking Reed Sheppard was guarding Wemby at one point and the Spurs, as a team, couldn't do anything to take advantage of that situation. That can't happen if you want to contend for real and Wemby wants to be top 5 in the league.

My initial comment was that games like last night SHOULD be his floor game. If the Spurs are serious about being anywhere remotely near a contender then yeah, we can’t live with Wemby having games like he did against Phoenix.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

Another thing is teams know Wemby wants to drive to the middle. He needs to learn the LMA baseline fadeaway to keep teams guessing.

what Mitch has to do is run Pop's LaMarcus Aldridge sets. Cross screens to then get a mismatch on the left block for Wemby. Wemby should never post up at the elbow. He should face up and shoot over guys like prime Embiid did.

Post ups at the 3-point line shouldn't even happen.

 

[OK Computer]

It’s never been about Mitch calling those sets. It’s always been about whether Wemby wants to or not. Wemby still believes he’s one-of-a-kind, do-something-noone-has-ever-done-before type of player so he’s not going to try to emulate old-school bigs until he gets over himself, sadly.

 

[PanameSpur]

It’s never been about Mitch calling those sets. It’s always been about whether Wemby wants to or not. Wemby still believes he’s one-of-a-kind, do-something-noone-has-ever-done-before type of player so he’s not going to try to emulate old-school bigs until he gets over himself, sadly.

Yeah I think he just can't

Whatever core strength he gets he'll always have a tiny waist, tonight he got moved around by Sears or any guard ffs.

Imo in the end it might not be bc he wants to be special as much as the fact that he has to adapt to his handicaps and singular frame.

Spurs might need to acquire a starting Big who does the job on offense

 

[Ice009]

You know, the path to being one of the greatest of all time doesn't have to be heavily based on offense only. Bill Russell won 11 Championships playing defense and rebounding the shit out of the ball. That's where Victor should focus on the most and then just continuing to work on his offense. Like some people have already said, he needs to work on getting a few go-to moves and not trying to do everything out there and show his whole bag every game. I'd be happy with 25 ppg and monster defense and rebounding.

I hope he can eventually get stronger, though, and not be pushed around by guards. That's terrible seeing that. Can a guy with his frame improve his core strength?

 

[BankShot21]

You know, the path to being one of the greatest of all time doesn't have to be heavily based on offense only. Bill Russell won 11 Championships playing defense and rebounding the shit out of the ball. That's where Victor should focus on the most and then just continuing to work on his offense. Like some people have already said, he needs to work on getting a few go-to moves and not trying to do everything out there and show his whole bag every game. I'd be happy with 25 ppg and monster defense and rebounding.

I hope he can eventually get stronger, though, and not be pushed around by guards. That's terrible seeing that. Can a guy with his frame improve his core strength?

Similar to what I've been saying. We just maxed Fox, he's an absolute terror on the offensive end and we have to take advantage of that, its what we paid him such crazy $ for. The fact he forced his way here and we gave up hardly any assets he did us a favour. Castle is suddenly having double digit assist games and while his shooting is suspect he's a young talented brute. Harper is in the midst.

Victor just needs to focus on being the craziest defensive force the league has seen this generation, perhaps in forever and get what he gets on offense. Will he be happy being the defensive linchpin and giving up some shots and points offensively? We'll see about that. I was thinking he'd go for 30 this year. But with Fox here I'd be cool with him hitting 25 like you said.

I just hope before the deadline they consolidate some of Barnes, Vassell, Johnson, Sochan etc for a better SF and or PF fit

 

[Shmurs]

I think it’s bad if your best player is only coincidentally involved in the offense in the first quarter. I get it that he’s doubled. And that you need to accept what you’re given. But it’s unhealthy to disengage your main driver and just set up a bunch of shots for champ and Barnes while Vic’s touch on his shot from warmups just totally vanishes.

It’s not pretty - but they need to force getting him involved in the first. Each possession doesn’t exist in a vacuum. He needs flow. So, respectfully to the other guys, don’t yeet a ball over his fuckin head to set up Champ for a semi-open corner 3. That’s not the offense. Feed your friggin star. Because that’s how it works.

 

[couchman]

I also think we need to work the refs on players restricting Wemby’s freedom of movement and he needs to flop a little bit when he’s being hugged.
The biggest change so far on how he’s defended is not the double teams. It’s the combo of smaller guys just hugging him and also going after his dribble.

 

[Spurs Homer]

Next summer victor is signed up to work out with Marcus the Flop Smart to bring his flop game to a decent level...

 

[Shmurs]

I also think we need to work the refs on players restricting Wemby’s freedom of movement and he needs to flop a little bit when he’s being hugged.
The biggest change so far on how he’s defended is not the double teams. It’s the combo of smaller guys just hugging him and also going after his dribble.

It can’t just be a generic plea to get more calls. It’s not like Shai and butler just get an overall better whistle. They know the moves to make that make refs very comfortable making a call. It’s about making a presentation to an overgrown child. You can’t bully your way into it. You need to meet them where they are.

So he needs to figure out his foul shtick and take it into his own hands.

He’s not wired like that at the moment, though, and plays like he want to just go with whatever the flow is.

 

[eric365]

Spurs should play more pick and roll with wemby rolling

Dylan Harper had great succes using the threat of a lob to a rolling wemby

 

[Exstatic]

Yeah I think he just can't

Whatever core strength he gets he'll always have a tiny waist, tonight he got moved around by Sears or any guard ffs.

Imo in the end it might not be bc he wants to be special as much as the fact that he has to adapt to his handicaps and singular frame.

Spurs might need to acquire a starting Big who does the job on offense

24 ppg isn’t “doing the job on offense”?

 

[Exstatic]

We saw his floor game vs the Suns, tbh. Wemby is still pretty much suceptible to being erased from the game offensively. The coaching staff needs to make life easier for him and have him get the ball closer to the basket. More post ups and pick and rolls with Wemby as the roller, and less having him as the ball handler in the perimeter.

It is embarrassing that opposing coaches think it's ok to have Wemby being guarded by their PGs. Fucking Reed Sheppard was guarding Wemby at one point and the Spurs, as a team, couldn't do anything to take advantage of that situation. That can't happen if you want to contend for real and Wemby wants to be top 5 in the league.

Did Houston win that game?

 

[Exstatic]

Spurs should play more pick and roll with wemby rolling

Dylan Harper had great succes using the threat of a lob to a rolling wemby

Pick and rolls, dives, cuts, hell, just MOVE him. When he’s stationary, it makes it SO much easier to swarm defend him.

 

[DAF86]

Did Houston win that game?

What does that have to do with anything? So winning a game means you shouldn't correct the things you aren't doing well?

 

[Exstatic]

What does that have to do with anything? So winning a game means you shouldn't correct the things you aren't doing well?

It means you should over stress about dumb things teams that you beat did in that game.

 

[DAF86]

It means you should over stress about dumb things teams that you beat did in that game.

Not being able to exploit a clear mismatch isn't a "dumb thing" in basketball terms. It is a flaw that needs fixing if you want to improve and become a real contender.