Photo set comparing Wembanyama and Chet Holmgrem, two 3m tall ‘unicorns’ who forced the “era” of basketball to change..
The presence of the French player has caused teams to vary their way of working to adapt to the dimensions of the number 1 in the draft.
Chet Holmgrem advances against Victor Wembanyama. Reuters
It is the proper name of this start of the season. Although the Spurs have started with a record of only three victories in the first 11 games of the season, all eyes are focused on the Texan team and Victor Wembanyama. The latest number 1 in the draft is meeting expectations and already leads the race for Rookie of the Year with 19.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
His numbers already speak of a differential player, although his contribution has not yet translated into victories. In just 11 games he has become the second player in Spurs history to record a game with more than 20 points and 5 blocks in his rookie season. The first, a certain Tim Duncan. He is also the third first-year player with a game with more than 35 points and more than 50% shooting from the field. The other two? Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant. Almost nothing.
But to understand the Wembanyama phenomenon, numbers are not enough. We have to look at how the mere presence of the French interior influences the rival’s game. Before the first game of the season, a video of the Dallas Mavericks training sessions was already seen in which one of the Texan team’s assistants, God Shammgod, appeared defending Kyrie Irving and more players with artificial arms of the same length as that of the French prodigy, while he shouted ‘Wemby, Wemby’ at the Mavs point guard.
It’s official: Mavs are prepping for the Spurs, specifically 7-4 rookie Victor Wembanyama, with God Shammgod playing the role of Wemby. “Wemby! Wemby” he hollered while going out to defend Irving with his artificial Wemby length. pic.twitter.com/cKmgnP0M1n
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) October 21, 2023
The influence of the Frenchman is not limited only to the vicinity of the hoop. His size (he reaches 2.43 and 3 meters with his arms raised) not only influences when protecting his basket within the zone. It also allows him to be a threat on the outside with the ease he has to move from the paint to the line of three, as players like Andrew Wiggins have already seen, whom the Frenchman blocked with some ease when it seemed impossible to reach that shot. And it is not the only example.
Precioso e imparable esto de Wembanyama. Lo tengo en bucle👇pic.twitter.com/k5ln1Xto1x
— NBA – Jordi de Mas (@demas6Basket) November 15, 2023
Wembanyama’s size and agility are not only seen on defense. He is also in attack with his ability to, despite his 2.24 height, put the ball on the ground a short distance from the hardwood. The length of his arms allows him to dribble very low, which makes it very difficult for the defender to steal the ball. And if you also add his dribble capacity, the mission becomes nothing short of impossible.
Then there is his shooting range and the height he holds the ball which makes it difficult to defend when he gets up to shoot. Something that also happens with his ability to play above the rim thanks to his jumping ability, together with his size. “We are trying to understand what it is because we have never seen anything like this before,” Durant said after facing the French phenomenon.
Wembanyama vs. Holmgrem. Getty Images
But the Frenchman is not the only ‘game changer’ who has debuted this season in the NBA. This past morning Wemby has been the protagonist of an image that defines what the league will be in the coming seasons. A duel against Chet Holmgren, another of those recognized worldwide as a unicorn.
That is, that player who has a presumably incompatible physique and playing style. 2.13 in height, 2.28 in wingspan… and only 89 kilos! That was his welcome letter to the NBA. Almost absurd measures, which have never been seen before. Like those of Wembanyama, although smaller in size. The lack of strength in the paint seasoned the interior in severe training. His coach Larry Suggs was determined to turn him into a star, but his physique was not good for him.
The young player was unable to gain muscle, so he forged a strange skill based on dribbling, speed and shooting range. At Gonzaga, he turned it into numbers: 41% from three-point range and 73% from two-point range. Unicorn Stats. Upon his arrival to the NBA, he gathered a collection of doomsayers around him: “he’s going to break” and so it was. Now, fully recovered and while gaining weight as Jokic recommended, the Minnesota player already knows what the duel that will mark the future of basketball in the coming decades will be like. Confrontations in which he will be the protagonist.
It is also relevant…
