Victor Wembanyama Showcases Defensive Prowess in NBA Debut

It was the next match. Three days after his first benchmark match in the NBA against the Suns of his idol Kevin Durant (38 points, 10 rebounds), Victor Wembanyama returned to the floor with the Spurs on Sunday. But this time, the main attraction at the start of the season had difficulty being found by his teammates, and made a more “neutral” copy offensively (20 points at 7/16 shooting and 2/7 at 3 points ). With a third defeat for San Antonio, which nevertheless had the match in hand.

If Toronto has long been overtaken before waking up, it is not because of new fireworks from “Wemby”. But another aspect of his ultra-complete game: defense. On Sunday, the Frenchman accumulated five blocks, a personal best at the start of the season. OG Anunoby was one of the main victims and preferred to laugh about it after the meeting in front of the press.

“He’s so unique. I’ve never seen someone so big in my life,” reacted the England winger. “He’s just really big, and he covers a lot of ground. Yes, he changes the game.” . And paralyzes his opponents.

On Sunday, many of the Raptors were cooled by the Habs’ 2.23m wingspan when venturing under the circle. The affordable double-steps against ordinary mortals were not, and we will remember in particular the air ball of Dennis Schröder under the simple pressure of his (immense) opponent. It was late, and successfully, that Toronto decided to change its approach to aligning 3-point shots.

“Every time you’re under the circle, you have to pay attention to him, and watch where he is because he’s trying to block your shot. That’s why we had some good 3-point balls. It’s because he was ready to counter us near the circle,” analyzed Scottie Barnes.

A reference at the start of the season

The Raptors were thus “privileged” spectators of Wembanyama’s defensive qualities. But not the only ones. The time when the rookie accumulated fouls for his first in the NBA against Dallas already seems distant. It is less dispersed, while giving the impression of being everywhere.

After six matches played, Wembanyama has the second best blocking average in the League (2.7) behind Anthony Davis, playing 8 minutes less per game than his Lakers counterpart. And when AD’s opponents shoot 46.2% against him, the Habs keep their direct opponents at 25.8%, again the second best total in the NBA among players who have played at least half meetings at the start of the season.

His NBA-wide statistics are already impressive, his influence within the Spurs is crazy. Wembanyama makes 59.3% of San Antonio’s blocks when he’s on the floor. Only references in the sector like Bam Adebayo or Rudy Gobert can say the same.

Victor Wembanyama dominant in the circle against Toronto

Credit: Getty Images

It’s a generational talent

Gregg Popovich’s training, imperfect as expected, opens gaps that its 19-year-old star plugs. San Antonio gives up an average of 28 points in the paint when Wemby plays. This is barely more than the standards of Jaren Jackson Jr (26.3), best defender last season with Memphis.

“I’m not going to say anything new, but he’s a generational talent, greeted Darko Rajakovic, the Raptors coach. OG (Anunoby) achieved the best we can do against this type of talent and size “. With each Wembanyama match, his new lessons. His new admirers, too.

2023-11-06 12:39:00
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