Victor Wembanyama, a towering 7-foot-4 French phenom, entered the NBA with sky-high expectations. As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs' decision to take him was met with excitement reminiscent of when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James.
Wembanyama's combination of height, skill, and generational potential promised a turning point for a Spurs franchise in the post-Tim Duncan era. However, 88 games into his NBA career, not everyone is convinced that the Spurs are utilizing the 20-year-old in the best possible way.
In his rookie season, Wemby quickly established himself as a superstar-caliber player, finishing the campaign with a remarkable 254 blocks and 128 three-pointers made. Not only did Victor set an NBA record, but he also led the league in blocks, averaging 3.6 per game.
Wemby already has more blocks as a rookie (235) than most NBA players EVER
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 3, 2024
(h/t @StatMamba) pic.twitter.com/2f8BD2qq9N
Despite these impressive numbers, some critics have raised concerns about how the youngster is being used. One of the most notable voices questioning Victor's role is Skip Bayless.
"There are some nights I'll be watching Wemby, and I'll say, 'You know what? They got something cooking here because strategically, they know how to play defense or whatever; I don't see any defensive commitment, and Wemby is still taking way too many threes; he's shooting 23 percent from three, and he's got a beautiful stroke, but he's 7-foot-4, really 7-4. I don't want him just standing out there all the time taking eight threes a game," Bayless said.
While the Frenchman's three-point shooting is indeed impressive for a player of his size—he's converting 33.8 percent of his 9.3 long-range attempts per contest—many believe his towering presence in the paint could be better leveraged.
Vemby's mismatch on the block could open up scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Instead, he often finds himself on the perimeter, taking threes at a rate far higher than many think is necessary.
The Spurs aren't what they used to be, and their decline has been one of the most significant stories of the NBA in the past decade. After a two-decade stretch of dominance led by the legendary Duncan, the franchise has struggled to find its footing.
Once known for their consistent playoff appearances and championships, the Spurs have failed to reach the postseason in the past five seasons. In 2023-24, they finished second-to-last in the Western Conference, a worrisome sign for a franchise that regularly competed for titles under coach Gregg Popovich.
The Spurs have been eliminated from playoff contention.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 8, 2024
Wemby misses the playoffs in Year 1. pic.twitter.com/FdghjteE8d
What's troubling for Spurs fans is that significant reinforcements have not offset the team's struggles. While Wembanyama's arrival has undoubtedly raised hopes, the lack of a strong supporting cast has kept the team from being competitive.
Adding Chris Paul in the summer offers a glimmer of hope, but it's clear that Wemby cannot yet carry the team on his own. Skip also feels that Popovich, the Spurs' long-time coach, may be overthinking things.
"Ever since Timmy walked down that door, I've not seen a lot from him; I've not seen anything special [things]," Bayless said.
While the French phenom has shown flashes of greatness, Skip believes that for the Spurs to succeed in the future, they must find a system that plays to his strengths.
It's clear that the Spurs' No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft has the potential to be one of the most dominant players in the league, but developing a system that allows him to maximize his impact will require a concerted effort from the coaching staff.
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