Ah the NBA play-offs, its endless series, its unparalleled intensity and its stars who write the most beautiful lines of their careers. The start of the final phases arrives at the same time as the regular season ends this Sunday evening, during a multiplex broadcast on beIN Sports, at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. But with a notable absentee, Victor Wembanyama. The Frenchman, drafted last year in first position by San Antonio, failed to qualify the Spurs for the play-offs. Not really a surprise, as the Texan franchise has come a long way. But the Frenchie’s personal season is successful. A quick review with the help of former player and coach Chris Singleton, consultant for beIN.
The overall assessment of Wembanyama’s first season
A success, without a doubt. Wemby will close his first season in the NBA with a double-double in points and rebounds, averaging 21.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.6 blocks per game. Stats similar to those of his elders Tim Duncan and David Robinson for their first season in Texas. Which should allow him to quietly win the title of Rookie of the Year after winning four titles of Rookie of the Month.
“It’s all the stronger because there were a lot of expectations and Victor even did more than well in his first season. I especially really liked his second part of the season. Despite the pressure, and the looks, he developed his game and filled in a lot of flaws at the start of the season with bad choices and loss of balls. He learns very quickly,” emphasizes Chris Singleton.
Its biggest area of progress
Sometimes moved by his coach, Gregg Popovich, to position 3, then 4, and finally 5, Victor Wembanyama had the opportunity to discover several roles during his first year. And it was ultimately in the pivot position that he flourished the most and gave the most satisfaction. Thanks to his great analytical skills and his defensive qualities. “It’s really crazy how dominant he’s going to be once he gets more comfortable on the court. Match after match, we can see that he is adapting. Fortunately, I’m at the end of my career, and I won’t face it often. But he’s going to be able to do what he wants very soon, and it’s going to be magnificent to see,” his role model, Kevin Durant, even showered him with praise on the sidelines of the All-Star Game.
“It is in his understanding of the game that Wembanyama has progressed the most. Certainly he has improved in his shooting percentages and he loses the ball less, but it is above all his defensive ability to control the opposing team which is remarkable. He refined his game, he calmed down and reduced his field of action. San Antonio hasn’t won many games, but he has been the X-factor in his team’s victories. More than learning to play well, he especially had to learn to win,” says Chris Singleton.
Its management by Gregg Popovich
Confined to a short playing time at the start of the season, around twenty minutes, Victor Wembanyama then remained on the floor more and more to finish with an average of almost 30 minutes per match. Left very free by his coach at the start, the French pivot was then a little more focused.
“I didn’t really agree with Popovich’s operation at the start of the season, his management of Victor was a little light. He is not in San Antonio to do what he wants, and the coaching with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili or David Robinson is magnificent. Popovich gradually understood that it was necessary to guide him better, to give him more reference points,” said Chris Singleton. To the point of seeing Popovich find Wemby “more complete”, quite a compliment when you know Coach Pop.
Goofy stat
Wembanyama’s influence on the game this season is reflected without his ability to counter any opponent. And his mere presence is enough to dissuade an entire team, or almost. As during the Spurs’ victory against Memphis on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday. In the 3rd quarter, the Grizzlies, although three on the counter-attack against Wemby alone, never took the risk of attacking the circle, to finally pass the ball again and avoid taking a nasty scotch from the best blocker in the League. ” He is too tall. Much too big. I thought… but… too big,” confided OG Anunoby after seeing his Raptors team get countered 5 times by Wembanyama alone.
In his first season, Wemby surpassed everyone in this category, peaking at 1.2 more blocks on average than his first pursuer, Brook Lopez (2.4 blocks per game).
“ “With his 2.25 meters and his talent, it’s not very complicated to score points and grab rebounds,” recalls Chris Singleton. But having such an impact defensively, making certain players change shots, is very strong. Cons are not for everyone, they require a lot of investment and understanding. » »
Its areas of progress
This is precisely one of the points on which Victor Wembanyama has already started to progress in the second half of the season: his management of the game. The pivot does not yet have shooting percentages worthy of a player of his status and size. , with 46.5% of shots scored including 32.2% at three points. And he still loses too many balls, with 3.6 turnovers per match.
“He can progress in his choice of shots, and especially in when to weigh. Players like Durant, Jordan or Curry know when to play for the team, when to put their teammates in the right conditions, or to take things into their own hands and be dominant,” points out Chris Singleton. But with a team as weak as the Spurs this season, it’s sometimes difficult to make these choices. It’s up to Wemby to make his team win from now on.
His place among the best rookies in history
Statistically, Wembanyama is in the same line as Tim Duncan or David Robinson, who has since become Hall of Famers. They are also comparable to those of players like LeBron James or Kevin Durant, among the best in their sport. Wemby has already made a name for himself in his first season, but he still has a long way to go to follow in the footsteps of some of his role models.
“One of the best was Shaquille O’Neal, who completely toppled a bottom team in the playoffs with his presence alone. San Antonio has been experiencing difficult seasons for several years and a rookie couldn’t change that. In terms of impact and talent, I put him in the top 5 rookies in history,” says Chris Singleton.
“I don’t see anyone like him in the NBA. I know we’re both tall and skinny, I know he watched me play when I was younger, but he watched a lot of others and took inspiration from them. It is unique. He will create his own story,” Kevin Durant even predicted.