🏀Victor Wembanyama

The new face of the NBA!

Friends,

I don’t care if you’re a hardcore fan or a casual. You must watch this kid play. He’s probably the most exciting player I’ve seen enter the league in a very long time. Lebron James was the last kid to receive this much attention. And as much as I respect Lebron’s game, I can honestly say that coming into the league, his game was nowhere near as polished as Victor’s. Now hear me out. Lebron’s court vision was elite, much better than Wemby’s. But he couldn’t shoot the ball. Wemby can shoot from deep and handle the ball, and he stands at a towering 7’4,” meaning he can block shots in his sleep.

Kevin Durant had this to say about Wembanyama.

“He's different, man. He's long, athletic, mobile. He can shoot it. He's got skills. He's tough.

He’s gonna be a problem” (Greer, 2023).

Although he’s already a good player, he still needs to develop, And there isn’t a franchise in the NBA better at player development than the San Antonio Spurs. They are coached by one of the best to ever do it. Merrillville High School Alum, Greg Popovich.

The very first time I caught a glimpse of Victor Wembanyama was during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. The media had been hyping this kid up for the past few years, so I had to see it for myself. I wasn’t thoroughly impressed but didn’t want to pass judgment until the season started. He made me a believer.

A few nights ago, Victor scored a career-high 38 points, he grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked two shots.

The game of basketball is much different today. You’re starting to see positionless basketball. Big guys are more mobile and skilled than ever before. The rules have changed, and teams are scoring more points. It’s a perfect league for guys like Wembanyama.

I hear a bunch of guys criticizing Wemby. He’s too thin, he’s going to get hurt. Does he need to get bigger and stronger? Yes! But the game isn’t played down low anymore. He doesn’t need to bang with the big boys.

You’re probably thinking because he’s 7’4,” he should average 15 plus rebounds per game. Wembanyama won’t average 15 rebounds. Players are shooting more three-pointers than ever before and as a result of how far the ball is bouncing off the rim, wing players are grabbing more rebounds. Domantis Sabonis led the league last year with an average of 12.32 rebounds per game. But he’s more of a throwback player.

Wembanyama is a natural scorer. He reminds me of a taller Kevin Durant. He scores so effortlessly, and I’m excited to see the evolution and progression. Victor Wembanyama has officially put the NBA on notice. I’m not sure how many championships he’ll capture throughout his career, but at the tender age of 19, he’s already striking fear in the hearts of all the teams in the league. Victor is one of a kind, a unicorn.

If you enjoyed this breakdown, please share it with your friends.

References

Greer, J. (2023, November 4). Kevin Durant offers high praise for Victor Wembanyama after Suns-Spurs games: “he’s gonna be a problem.” Sporting News. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/kevin-durant-victor-wembanyama-suns-spurs-games/f20c97efb329d1f38cfaf976