Wembanyama. I'm concerned

[The Master]

He's wild, man. He's working on his second season of 10%+ BLK.

In his rookie year, he became the only player to rock 10% BLK over 50+ GP and 29+ mpg. Mourning did it over 20 mpg in 2006. Mutombo never did it (closest was 8.8%). Big Ben never did it, etc.

If you look at estimates for Wilt and Bill Russell, maybe Nate Thurmond, I'm sure some of those guys were in that range. But as far as recorded stats, that's a first, and it was Wemby. And he's in the middle of doing it again this year with a higher MPG average.

So that's actually pretty stunning.

Isn't this stat (BLK%) is a bit useless for comparative measures considering it counts % of 2pt FG blocked? Wemby may be the best shotblocker ever-era adjusted, but this stat isn't that much useful to compare different eras.

[tsherkin]

Isn't this stat (BLK%) is a bit useless for comparative measures considering it counts % of 2pt FG blocked? Wemby may be the best shotblocker ever-era adjusted, but this stat isn't that much useful to compare different eras.

It's worth a mention, sure, but if you look at him, he's rocking his second-straight season of 5.7 BLK100.

So even if you want to look at it that way, Mourning didn't do that until he was 29, in his 7th season (that was a lockout year, but he did it again the year after). Mutombo rocked 5.9 as a league-high in 94. Olajuwon was in his 6th season when he managed it. Etc, etc.

It's still impressive. Yes, we see fewer 2FGA/g overall, so it's relatively easier to block a higher proportion of 2PFGA in a game, but we're looking at rookie and 2nd-year Wemby matching the BEST seasons from some of the best shot blockers we've seen over the past 35-45 years, give or take, you know?

[The Master]

It's worth a mention, sure, but if you look at him, he's rocking his second-straight season of 5.7 BLK100.

So even if you want to look at it that way, Mourning didn't do that until he was 29, in his 7th season (that was a lockout year, but he did it again the year after). Mutombo rocked 5.9 as a league-high in 94. Olajuwon was in his 6th season when he managed it. Etc, etc.

It's still impressive. Yes, we see fewer 2FGA/g overall, so it's relatively easier to block a higher proportion of 2PFGA in a game, but we're looking at rookie and 2nd-year Wemby matching the BEST seasons from some of the best shot blockers we've seen over the past 35-45 years, give or take, you know?

I was referring to the stat on its own, B. Lopez or M. Turner having higher BLK% peak than Hakeem or DRob suggests it doesn't hold that much value in different era comps (with all due respect to Brook).

Wemby being all-time great defensive talent is undeniable at this point.

[tsherkin]

I was referring to the stat on its own, B. Lopez or M. Turner having higher BLK% peak than Hakeem or DRob suggests it doesn't hold that much value in different era comps (with all due respect to Brook).

Sure, but Lopez also misses the MPG threshold for those seasons, right? It isn't quite the same. And he's a specialist, on top of that. He is, however, also a very high-end defender. He was second in the DPOY vote in just 2023, if you recall. And Turner has only one season of 5+ BLK100, and is frequently minutes-blocked as well.

There's a reason I put that filter in place. It isn't a perfect stat, but it is illustrative enough if it isn't the entire crutch of one's argument.

Wemby being all-time great defensive talent is undeniable at this point.

Yes, that much is clear.

[Stan]

OP the type of guy to think his girlfriend is leaving him after not responding to his text for 15 minutes.

To make this thread after 11 career games is just flat out embarrassing, not even all those First Take clone shows are this reactionary.

[hauntedcomputer]

If you look at estimates for Wilt and Bill Russell, maybe Nate Thurmond, I'm sure some of those guys were in that range. But as far as recorded stats, that's a first, and it was Wemby. And he's in the middle of doing it again this year with a higher MPG average.

So that's actually pretty stunning.

Props for acknowledging shots were actually blocked before the counting started. I would put those three up there.

[tsherkin]

If you look at estimates for Wilt and Bill Russell, maybe Nate Thurmond, I'm sure some of those guys were in that range. But as far as recorded stats, that's a first, and it was Wemby. And he's in the middle of doing it again this year with a higher MPG average.

So that's actually pretty stunning.

Props for acknowledging shots were actually blocked before the counting started. I would put those three up there.

Russ was basically the dude who forged the template of the shot-blocking center. Him and Mikan. And Wilt was well known for it, as was Thurmond. Even Kareem was pretty good, though not at their level nor at the upper bound of what we saw in the 90s. All guys who deserve their props. Now, there's something to be said of average shot distance changing things as a result of proliferation in 3pt volume, and all that, so they are not identical circumstances, but still.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

It's not just the blocks, those are crazy but it's also the number of times the offense passes out of drives that would normally be a bucket. I've never seen this many players get into the lane then abruptly pass out of what should be a shot.

[Bornstellar]

OP the type of guy to think his girlfriend is leaving him after not responding to his text for 15 minutes.

To make this thread after 11 career games is just flat out embarrassing, not even all those First Take clone shows are this reactionary.

In his defense, lot of people were bumping this thread after Victor had a slow start to the season and wasn't dropping 30/15/5/5 in the first week. People are fickle nowadays

[tsherkin]

It's not just the blocks, those are crazy but it's also the number of times the offense passes out of drives that would normally be a bucket. I've never seen this many players get into the lane then abruptly pass out of what should be a shot.

It's something to see when a shot blocker gets into a team's head, isn't it?

[The-Power]

It's not just the blocks, those are crazy but it's also the number of times the offense passes out of drives that would normally be a bucket. I've never seen this many players get into the lane then abruptly pass out of what should be a shot.

Yeah, that's the insane part. 10 blocks in a game is fun, but Vic may end up having his greatest defensive impact game when he records 0 blocks. The fear is already real but will only continue to grow. We may not ever see him averaging more blocks than he is now but he will only add to his defensive impact as he matures.

[The-Power]

Those blocks really do look like an adult playing against kids. It boggles the mind. You can also see his high-frequency 3pt shooting paying off. He usually gets or creates a couple field goals these days by defenders closing out to him at the perimeter and him taking the open lane to the rim.

Watch on YouTube

[BigGargamel]

He really is an alien. That height, body length and wingspan should be illegal. What are you supposed to do against that?

[HotRocks34]

Still too many threes.

Stop flopping.

Can't let yourself get beaten for inside position when an opponent is shooting free throws. This looked like it happened twice at the end of the Philly game, and one time it resulted in a Philly hoop.

[badpotato]

Still too many threes.

He converted on 46% of his attempts, if anything he should've let it fly more.

[RRR3]

Guys why won't he take the worst percentage shot in the world?!?!!?!? It was popular during my childhood so he HAS to take them!

[Dr Aki]

Still too many threes.

Stop flopping.

Can't let yourself get beaten for inside position when an opponent is shooting free throws. This looked like it happened twice at the end of the Philly game, and one time it resulted in a Philly hoop.

Looks like the CP3 effect

[BigGargamel]

In the six games since his return from a back injury, Wembanyama has averaged 28.5 points on 48.2 percent shooting, 8.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 5.7 blocks over 32.8 minutes per game.

20 years old.

I am concerned.

For the rest of the NBA.

[HotRocks34]

Much better stuff in the first half against the Knicks IMO. Not only settling for threes but using the threes to set up midrange shots and drive-and-dishes.

Smart basketball.

He looks great in the first half. That's the way to play.

[bledredwine]

OP the type of guy to think his girlfriend is leaving him after not responding to his text for 15 minutes.

To make this thread after 11 career games is just flat out embarrassing, not even all those First Take clone shows are this reactionary.

In his defense, lot of people were bumping this thread after Victor had a slow start to the season and wasn't dropping 30/15/5/5 in the first week. People are fickle nowadays

They always live in the moment, and not in the healthy way. I knew that this thread wouldn’t age well.