Victor Wembanyama: The Rising Unicorn of the NBA

Victor Wembanyamar, the new unicorn of the NBA (Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports)

When the NBA launched the Wembanyama show, flooding social networks with its news, broadcasting its games from France and taking it to Las Vegas to play two games against the other jewel projected for the draft, many refused to believe that a new era was coming in basketball. Especially those who for the first time learned about this phenomenon that did not even have a defined height. Skeptics doubted whether he could really transfer his very good level to the NBA and especially whether his physique, apparently weak, would withstand the pace and friction with the physical prodigies of the best competition in the world.

A year later, there should no longer be that group of fans who chose to display their negativity on the networks to crucify the new unicorn that aroused both enthusiasm and doubts. The great Víctor, a 20-year-old power forward who impresses with his extreme versatility measuring 2m24, has completed a historic regular season, playing 71 of the 82 total games, averaging a double double that no one thought possible (21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds) and being the leader in tapas of the competition (with 3.6). An open secret is that he will win the Rookie of the Year award and fight for the Defender of the Year. Just the tip of the iceberg of what is to come with this Frenchman who will be in Paris 2024 with his national team.

From a very young age, those around him realized that he was a very special boy. Because of the height, of course. Also because of his extreme talent, taking into account his size. And, also, for his work ethic, discipline and professionalism. Wemby, as they call him, prepared for two years to make the jump to the NBA. And he not only did as some advised him, adding kilos and muscles. He did a different job, beyond the court, with a nutritionist, two physical trainers and a special advisor, Dirk Nowitzki’s historic trainer, Holger Geschwindner.

The emphasis was placed on stretching and flexibility exercises, taking advantage of the fact that he shares many issues precisely with Nowitzki and the Latvian Porzingis, two “unicorns” who have become his references due to the similarities in their physiques and playing styles. His team also paid a lot of attention to Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who “don’t have a stereotypical game.” Wemby is, like them, one of those versatile players who can do everything on a field…

The French phenomenon, in action against Denver

In nutrition he worked with special diets (he eats five meals a day), copied from those players with a body similar to his. The idea was always not to gain too much muscle so as not to lose some of the qualities that make him so special. That’s why he abandoned the heavy weight routine, seeking to build his body more naturally, without excesses. He added kilos, yes, he went from 95 to 102 since he arrived at the Spurs, but always gradually and looking not only for strength.

The results were seen on the field from the beginning, going from less to more as was logical. In the first four games, in October, he averaged 16.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks to go, in November, to 20.1, 10.3 and 3.1. Thus he rose until he was named, in the March-April period, the best player in the West, reaching 23.7 points, 12 recoveries and 4.4 blocks, shooting almost 46% from the field.

On Friday night, in a highly anticipated duel against Jokic’s Nuggets, he exploded with 17 points in three minutes as the Spurs turned around a game they lost by 23 and ended up winning agonizingly 121-120. The Frenchman closed with 34, in addition to 12 recoveries, 5 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. Nothing less than in the face of Jokic, the best in the world, and the defending champion of the tournament.

What did happen was that the team led by Gregg Popovich, with too much youth and rebuilding, has not won as expected: just 22 wins in 82 games, although finishing the season with a good appearance and a lot of enthusiasm, after 7 victories in the last 11 games, including this Sunday against the Pistons.

Wemby’s numbers in this first season are even better than LeBron’s

His presence, especially, joins those of Devin Vassell (23 years old), Keldon Johnson (24), Jeremy Sochan (20), Zach Collins (26) and Tre Jones (24), among others, to strengthen the hope of returning to be power, as in the times of Manu. Ginobili could precisely be seen training with Wemby, teaching some tricks and improving the technique of the talented Frenchman. “It’s a pleasure to be with Ginobili, it’s so natural that you don’t realize that he is teaching you a legend,” Wemby admitted.

We are talking about a modern giant, one of those so-called unicorns that do everything, a specimen that has never been seen before and that is why it is very difficult to find any similarity or comparison. This is not one of those towers that existed in the past, generally with some dysfunction such as acromegaly, who had little mobility and could only score or block near the rim. This is a freak of nature with the abilities of someone much shorter. The combination of height, arm length, speed, coordination, technique and character make him perhaps the most special young man in history.

This season we have seen shocking videos and photos, which have gone viral due to that unique combo that their height and talent give them, but no less surprising have been their numbers. Wembanyama achieved more blocks this season than Rudy Gobert in the last two combined: 257 to 251. In addition to having been the leader in this area with 3.6 per game. In total he added 24 games with 5 or more blocks while Gobert, the best defender in recent years (elected the best in three of the last six seasons), only 3. Wemby, being a rookie, has already had 8 games with at least 7 blocks and he already surpasses Gobert, who has 7 but his entire career that includes 756 games…

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama will play in the Olympics with France (EFE/EPA/Adam Davis)

If you are talking about someone unique, you must reaffirm it with data:

-He is the ONLY one to reach at least 1,500 points, 250 blocks and 100 triples in a campaign.

-He is the ONLY one to reach 30 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 blocks and 5 triples in a game.

-He is the ONLY one to average more than 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks playing less than 30 minutes per game.

And we must add more milestones:

-He is the youngest player to score at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game.

-He is the youngest player to score at least 40 and 20 in another.

To put it in context, it must be said that Wemby’s numbers in this first season are even better than those of LeBron, the other gem that has generated the most expectations in history for his arrival in the NBA. He outscores him (21.4 to 20.9), rebounds (10.6 to 5) and blocks (3.6 to 0.6). The King only averaged more assists (6 to 4) and steals (1.6 to 1.2).

Wembanyama is a clear vote for Rookie of the Year, despite the fact that he competes with Chet Holmgren, the other unicorn who has had a great season with Oklahoma City (16.6 points and 7.5 rebounds). However, Victor’s performance has been shocking and he may become the sixth rookie to win the award unanimously, after Ralph Sampson in 1984, David Robinson in 1990, Blake Griffin in 2011, and Damian Lillard in 2013. and Karl Anthony-Towns in 2016.

It looks like just the beginning of a new era.

2024-04-18 06:24:59
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