Looks like he’s grown a little more. In less than six months, Victor Wembanyama has placed his giant paws on the NBA. We almost only see him: the videos of his most spectacular actions on the American League’s social networks have far exceeded one billion views, a record. How many of them doubted Victor Wembanyama’s success in the NBA last year? The French rookie gradually silenced all the criticism.
“When he arrived, we heard: Vic does this very well, and that very well, but at some point in the season, boom! He started doing incredible things in every game and now it’s become a habit,” describes his San Antonio Spurs teammate Keldon Johnson.
Victor Wembanyama, however, is not only spectacular: he is also decisive. He played a major role in the Spurs’ excellent late-season run, which saw them win 7 of their last 11 games, including against the defending champion (Denver Nuggets) and the 2nd in the Eastern Conference (New York Knicks). Its statistics show inexorable progression. Month after month, he improved his points scored, rebounds, assists and even blocks, his specialty.
“He has become much more disciplined,” explains his San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich. Which allowed it to be much more solid and consistent. He learned so quickly, immediately transferring what he discovered in training into matches. He will undoubtedly continue to be an incredible character on the court. I have to show him that he is talented in a much broader way than he imagines. He must develop his game and not restrict it to what he already knows. He has the qualities of Tim Duncan: a very high basketball IQ, and a desire to fight for the best. »
The best blocker in the NBA this season
He amazed the NBA with his ability to counter everyone, in any situation. “I remember the one against Giannis (Antetokounmpo, MVP in 2019 and 2020), notes Spurs fullback Devin Vassell. When he spoke out against Giannis, it was almost as if he said: ‘I’m here, I’ve arrived and there’s nothing you can do about it.’ His state of mind is to say: ‘there is no one on the floor who can cause me problems’. And that’s exactly the mindset we needed. »
Sometimes he’s so big and his timing is so perfect that he doesn’t even need to jump to block a ball: he just raises his arm and he grabs the ball like an adult would against a child. “A dad block”, imagined the former Spurs player, and now TV consultant, Sean Elliott.
“Blocks are something that is close to my heart because it has been part of my identity since I started playing basketball,” he confides. I always made a lot of counterattacks. It’s something that I’m trying to develop thoroughly, and on which I want to capitalize. This is one of the best ways to help my team defensively. In the future, I will even try to keep the ball more and more after countering. » With 3.6 “blocks” on average each match, the Frenchman finished best blocker in the NBA this season, far ahead of all the others…
Popovich: “I never know what he’s thinking!” »
His coach has often stated that he will spend this first season improving Wemby defensively, and that the offensive part will come later. Which did not prevent Wembanyama from scoring 21.4 points on average. His shot choices are not always judicious, especially at three points, and the efficiency is not there in each meeting. But the way he progressed is… spectacular. “Until now, he had mainly played away from the circle,” analyzes Gregg Popovich. We worked to ensure that he developed his qualities closer to the basket, by challenging the defenders. »
Throughout the season, the relationship with his coach deepened and the player’s development on the floor certainly had a lot to do with the insight and basketball knowledge of Gregg Popovich, the most respected coach in the NBA. The two seem perfectly on the same page since day one. “I respond well to people who have a sense of humor,” says Popovich. I’m with them half funny, half confusing, so they don’t know what I’m thinking. Victor behaved with me in the same way as I did with him, so that I never know what he is thinking! He was very pleasant to be around. Having him with us has not only improved our basketball identity, but also our culture as such. »
His performances throughout the season, but even more so since January, promise him to be crowned “rookie of the year”. Wemby would also have been able to be voted best defender, but another Frenchman, Rudy Gobert, benefits from a better collective record with his Minnesota Timberwolves team. For the rest, Victor Wembanyama is set to shine. “I think I’m only 15% of my best potential in the NBA,” he estimates. The most frightening thing for his opponents is undoubtedly that we have still only seen the worst of Victor Wembanyama…
