Alexander Gaitan 09/07/2023 NBA
Victor Wembanyama’s second game in the Summer League was very different from his debut with San Antonio. After a first encounter with lights and shadows, with details in defense and generation for his teammates, but with a horrible shooting card, he took revenge on all evils in the second. He showed his best version, the one he has dominated in France despite not being even close to the level expected of him: 27 points (9/14 shooting, 2/4 three-pointers), 12 rebounds and three blocks in the defeat at San Antonio against the Blazers without Scoot Henderson. And despite the good game, despite the feeling of dominance at times, the numbers cannot illustrate the Victor Wembanyama effect.
Victor Wembanyama displays his tantalizing skillset in his 2nd #NBA2KSummerLeague outing!
27 PTS, 12 REB, 3 BLK pic.twitter.com/Nqw23FEFbL
— NBA (@NBA) July 10, 2023
The #1 pick from the last draft left highlights to enjoy. An exhibition in the shot, at medium distance, leaving flashes of Kevin Durant, after offensive rebounding in a sample of size, breadth and power, or even from the triple. Because Wembanyama’s range is limitless. And all while being able to drop 12 rebounds, most of them over his defenders, and put three blocks in his own basket. All while still getting used to the rhythm of the NBA and with the added bonus of having a full season on his shoulders, one that ended less than a month ago, unlike his teammates or most of his rivals, who have been on vacation for months.
With the Frenchman, the illusion goes beyond what is seen on the track with the naked eye. He is able to hit a triple with San Antonio down four to leave the game in possession with a minute and a half to go after having closed his own ring with a stopper and doing it calmly knowing that it is his duty. These are the sensations that the Frenchman leaves, like when he turns his 226-centimeter body to the rhythm of a point guard, with the ball handling worthy of any outsider. He has a capacity for surprise that hasn’t been seen since names like LeBron James or Zion Williamson, because he can do things with his body that defy logic.
Just because of the size he presents, the teams are going to have to consider a type of offensive strategy with the aim of trying to separate the Frenchman from the paint. In addition to his physique, Wembanyama’s ability to react gives him the potential to be a generational defender, a commanding interior presence at still 19 years old and room to adapt physically to the NBA. He has the timing to defend on the outside and the arms to do it on the inside, despite the fact that at times he will suffer against big insiders. As he happened to Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki, with whom he shares a coach, or to Giannis Antetokounmpo in his early years. History put them in their place.
But it is also the Frenchman’s head that sends messages of hope. In the last few hours it was known that Victor Wembanyama had decided not to attend the players’ party in Las Vegas, organized by Michael Rubin (CEO of Fanatics) and the NBPA, NBA Players Association. There were stars like Jayson Tatum, James Harden, Joel Embiid, Trae Young, singers like Meek Mill and Lil Baby and most of the NBA rookies. Wembanyama politely declined the invitation to an event that serves as an introduction to the NBA environment for rookies. For the player, what happens on the track is the priority and several interviews have already been seen where he does not seem like a 19-year-old player due to his maturity and statements. Yesterday, after the loss, he said that the best thing for the fans would have been a win for San Antonio.
When it comes to drawing conclusions, it’s time to go carefully. Neither is Kwame Brown after the first game of the Summer League, nor will he be fighting for the MVP after the second. It’s a summer league, surrounded by sophomores, rookies, or even some undrafted names dreaming of stealing an NBA contract. His first litmus test will be in October, when the regular season begins. Until then, everything is relative.
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2023-07-10 06:46:03
#Victor #Wembanyama #numbers #shows #potential
