The San Antonio Spurs found themselves winning big in the 2023 lottery when they secured the top pick to draft Victor Wembanyama, a player many believe could define their franchise for the next decade. While expectations are high, the path to championships isn’t guaranteed, and questions surrounding Wembanyama’s development have emerged.
Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas has raised concerns about Wembanyama’s ability to capitalize on mismatches against smaller defenders. On his show “Gil’s Arena,” Arenas pointed out that it seems illogical for teams to match a guard against a 7’6″ player like Wembanyama, suggesting that it indicates a lack of awareness from the rookie. According to Arenas, Wembanyama should instinctively recognize and exploit such disparities instead of overthinking his approach.
Despite the excitement surrounding Wembanyama’s talent, statistics indicate he has room for growth when it comes to post-up situations. Currently, he ranks in the 30.2 percentile for post-ups with a shooting percentage of 43.5%. Additionally, Wembanyama posts up only 12% of the time during games, while other tall players like Giannis Antetokounmpo average double that frequency. There’s also room for improvement in his points per possession (PPP) on post-ups, which stands at 0.89.
Interestingly, these struggles aren’t unique to Wembanyama. Kristaps Porziņģis faced similar challenges early in his career, failing to make the most of mismatches. However, as Porziņģis matured, he learned to utilize his unique physical attributes effectively, becoming a potent offensive threat, particularly during his time with the Washington Wizards. His growth proves that with experience and the right coaching, players can enhance their skills to maximize their potential.
For Wembanyama, who is still early in his NBA journey, adapting his game will be essential for both his development and the Spurs’ success. Encouragingly, it’s common for rookies to face challenges as they adjust to the professional game. With time, Wembanyama has the potential to become the dominant player his supporters anticipate. The Spurs, with their rich history of nurturing talent, will likely provide the necessary environment for him to grow into a formidable force in the league.