After his first 100 games in the NBA (35+18 in the last one, a 110-113 win against the Nuggets), it can be said that Victor Wembanyama is what he was expected to be: a prodigy like never seen before and who came to change basketball. An alien who is precisely 21 years old on Saturday and who at 2.24 meters is able to handle the ball like a point guard, who has an extraordinary ability to understand everything that happens on the court, with ease to score three-pointers and, of course, with his 2.44 meters wingspan, to block.
Here are some figures to try to understand the impact of the Spurs star. In his first 100 games, his statistics say he averages 22.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.7 blocks and 2.2 three-pointers. Compared to the first hundred games of some NBA stars, this means a better average of points than LeBron James (21.8), a rebounding average close to that of Dwight Howard (10.6), an assist average higher than that of Steve Nash (2.5), a blocking average higher than that of Hakeem Olajuwon (2.6) and more three-pointers per game than Stephen Curry (2.0). Given the names, each statistic is more beastly than the last.
Anthony Davis throws major shade at his Lakers teammate LeBron James for surpassing Michael Jordan
If the numbers are not enough to realise his dimension, here are some of James Harden’s words after Wembanyama destroyed his Clippers: “He’s a beast on both sides of the court. He’s doing it all. He’s confident and his shot looks a lot more secure. Defensively, he’s active, blocking shots. Players like us leave and players like him come along. We thought we’d never see anything like that and he’s here”.
There are some simple things that I still don’t master and that I need to master. I’m trying to find new ways to improve my game. I don’t want to be pigeonholed
After that game, the last one he played in 2024, Wembanyama closed out a December for the NBA history books. Never before had a player accumulated in a single month of competition more than 300 points, more than 100 rebounds, more than 50 blocks, more than 50 assists and more than 40 three-pointers. So yes, literally, he does it all on the court.
He is already one of the greatest intimidators of all time
However, his great impact is on defense. He has an ability to change shots comparable to the greatest intimidators of all time, which he already is. His average of 3.70 blocks throughout his career is the highest in NBA history, ahead of specialists such as Mark Eaton (3.50) or Manute Bol (3.34). In the last 10 games, his average has skyrocketed to 4.90 blocks per game.
I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve played with some great defenders. I’ve got to the point where I take it for granted that he’s going to make the block. He’s got a gift
“I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve played with some great defenders,” says teammate Chris Paul, who is in his 20th NBA season. “He always finds a way to make up for it even when he gets a really good move. I’ve gotten to a point where I take it for granted that he’s going to get the block. He’s got a gift,” explains the veteran point guard about Wembanyama’s incredible reaction ability, who doesn’t seem to mind double efforts and acts as a contortionist to try to intimidate his opponents with his endless arms.
The worst thing for his rivals is that, halfway through his second season in La Liga, the monster still seems to have room for improvement. This laboratory creation has not yet finished its evolution. “Great players are great because of their fundamentals. There are some simple things that I still don’t master and that I need to master. I’m trying to find new ways to improve my game,” says the prodigy, who has always said: “I don’t want to be pigeonholed”. He can rest assured. It is impossible to do so.
A sponge in learning
His normality is also part of the extraordinary. Wembanyama is easily coachable, never tires of learning and is like a sponge. “Things that took me years to learn, he picked up in minutes,” said Jamal Crawford, one of the NBA’s best-known ankle-breakers, with whom he was training. “His ability to digest information, retain the things we’re trying to help him with and at the same time put his own creativity and discipline into practice is special,” says his coach Mitch Johnson.
At 38 years old, he took on the enormous responsibility of filling Gregg Popovich’s shoes on the Spurs’ bench when the legendary coach suffered a minor stroke in early November. Johnson is getting the best out of Wembanyama. “I have no idea what the expectations were, but obviously he’s special,” said the coach, who has the team with a 17-16 record when they came off last season’s 22-60 campaign. It may not be the year that San Antonio returns to the playoffs, but riding on Wemby’s shoulders, they can dream big.
I have no idea what the expectations were, but obviously he is special. He just needs to not skip steps and stick with the process
A recent article in ‘Bleacher Report’ placed the Frenchman at the top of a list of the best 25 sportsmen for the next 25 years. No one would think it is far-fetched. The former number one draft pick and rookie of the year, in the short term, will be heading to the All-Star Game. He is also favourite to be the best defender – of this season and the next 15 – and a strong candidate to be part of the ideal quintet. Not bad for only 100 games in the NBA. In the long term, he is aiming for MVP, rings, to dominate the competition and world basketball. That is, if he is not called back to his home planet first.
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