As the NBA's 2024-25 season gains momentum, all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, a player whose journey in the league continues to be as intriguing as it is unpredictable. The young talent, who led the French national team to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, has shown both flashes of brilliance and areas that require improvement early in the season.
Wembanyama's Shooting Struggles
Wembanyama's shooting performance in the first three games of the season has been underwhelming. He converted only six of his 24 jump shots, and his three-point accuracy is even more concerning, with just four out of 18 successful attempts. Such statistics highlight a rough patch for the Spurs' young star, calling into question his rhythm and confidence on the court.
Reflecting on his struggles, Wembanyama remarked, "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 candid acknowledgment of the importance of rhythm speaks volumes about the mental aspect of shooting in the NBA.
Contrasting Performances and Opportunities
Interestingly, Wembanyama's shooting woes contrast with the performances of other notable players this season. Anthony Edwards, for example, has significantly increased his three-point attempts, raising them from 6.7 to over 13 per game, while maintaining an impressive 41.5% conversion rate. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns continues to demonstrate his expertise from beyond the arc, hitting 66% of his three-point attempts in the season's opening games, which is a remarkable efficiency compared to his career average of 40%.
Wembanyama's previous season stats show a tendency to struggle with shooting consistency. Post All-Star break last year, he made only 31% of his jump shots and 33% of his three-point attempts. These figures suggest a pattern that the Spurs will be keen to address if Wembanyama is to evolve into the prolific scorer he has the potential to become.
The Bigger Picture for the Spurs and Wembanyama
The challenge for Wembanyama isn't merely individual. His adaptation to the rigor of the NBA aligns with broader team dynamics and strategies. Nine NBA teams are consistently attempting over 40 three-pointers per game this season—a testament to the league's evolution toward perimeter-focused offense. The Boston Celtics, for instance, averaged 42.5 three-point attempts last year, signifying a continued trend that pushes players like Wembanyama to expand beyond traditional playing styles.
Adding to the complexity is the limited participation Wembanyama had in two of the Spurs' five preseason games, which could have hampered his preparation and integration into the team's offensive setup. There is an understanding that gaining rhythm and confidence can often emerge with more game time and in-game experiences.
Holistic Development and Team Dynamics
The Spurs will need to build on both the physical and psychological aspects to help Wembanyama achieve his potential. This goes beyond feeding him the ball; Jalen Brunson encapsulated the sentiment of team responsibility when he 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]."
As the season progresses, Wembanyama and the Spurs will look to adapt and improve, navigating the highs and lows of an evolving basketball journey. While the current statistics highlight the challenges he faces, Wembanyama's resolve and the Spurs' strategic approach will be critical in overcoming them, potentially leading to a significant turnaround in his performance.
The ability for Wembanyama to find his stride will be pivotal not just for him personally, but for the wider aspirations of the San Antonio Spurs as they aim to cement their place as formidable competitors in this dynamic NBA era.