As the 2024-25 NBA season begins to unfold, all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ towering new recruit. While expectations run high, the early games have presented a mixed bag of performances from the French prodigy.
Early Struggles with Shooting
Wembanyama’s introduction to the NBA has been less than stellar in terms of shooting, a critical facet of his game. Over the first three games of the season, he managed to convert only six of his 24 jump shots, raising concerns about his rhythm on the court. Indeed, when assessing his performance behind the three-point arc, his early struggles become more pronounced. Out of 18 attempts, Wembanyama connected on only four.
It appears that the challenge is not entirely new for Wembanyama. Reflecting on last season’s statistics after the All-Star break, he hit just 31% of his jump shots and 33% of his three-point attempts. There seems to be a recurring theme in his three-point shooting performance, a trend that persisted during the Paris Olympics, where he played a pivotal role in leading the French national team to a silver medal. There, his three-point shooting percentage was a modest 28%.
Conditioning or Rhythm?
Despite these challenges, Wembanyama isn’t leaning on conditioning as an alibi. In his own words, "The conditioning is not an excuse. For the missed shots ... it's just taking shots in rhythm. That's the most important for me. I think I'm comfortable in every area of the floor to shoot, but at the same time, if I'm not in rhythm, any area of the floor I'll miss." His assertion underscores the broader narrative of finding harmony within the flow of the game, a lesson he is actively learning in the NBA.
Preceding Success and Future Potential
While examining Wembanyama’s early NBA stumbles, it's crucial to recognize the broader context of today’s game. Across the league, teams are leaning heavily on three-point shooting as a strategic advantage. Nine teams are consistently hoisting over 40 three-point shots per game, reflecting a transformative era in basketball strategy. In comparison, the Boston Celtics epitomized this trend last season, averaging 42.5 attempts from beyond the arc.
Amidst the league-wide shooting surge, other players are adapting quickly and effectively. Anthony Edwards, for example, has increased his three-point attempts from 6.7 to over 13 per game, achieving a stellar conversion rate of 41.5% this season. Similarly, Karl-Anthony Towns, who holds a career three-point success rate of 40%, has remarkably hit 66% of his attempts on six shots in the initial three games this season, even as his overall shot attempts have reduced from 15.3 to 9.3 per game. These examples highlight what's possible with rhythm and confidence in one’s shooting abilities.
The Road Ahead for Wembanyama
Adjustments and adaptations are critical for any player transitioning into the NBA, especially for those shouldering the expectations Victor Wembanyama faces. His limited participation in two of the Spurs' five preseason games might have contributed to his early performance, suggesting that he’s still finding his feet within Gregg Popovich’s system.
The path forward for Wembanyama will likely involve harmonizing his game with the Spurs' dynamics on the court. As Jalen Brunson aptly stated, "It's on me as a teammate to make sure we're all on the same page and that everyone's eating. I've got to be better when it comes to that. I've got to adjust, and I've got to see [Towns]." Transposing Brunson’s sentiment to Wembanyama’s situation underscores the importance of both individual preparedness and cohesive teamwork.
In the glimmering lights and shadows of the NBA’s opening games, Victor Wembanyama stands at a crossroads that will define his career trajectory. While his shooting struggles have cast a shadow on the initial excitement surrounding his entry into the league, the season is still young, and there remains ample time for this promising talent to shine brightly.