Victor Wembanyama Mega-Thread - For all your Wembanyama needs!

[Phreak50]

I’ll continue to get flamed but there is simply no need for a 7’4 guy to dribble drive and shoot low percentage fadeaway. None.

You’d want to use his shot the same way Aldridge did, who is probably one of, if not the very best mid range shooting big men.

You also don’t want him shooting five threes a game, no matter how open he is off screens.

It’s all exciting to see a guy do stuff we've never seen from someone so tall but at the end of the day it’s fundamentals and high percentage plays that will get it done on the offensive end.

If he takes the same shots tonight all season he will shoot 40% from the field and be a waste on offense.

Defensively was the impressive part tonight.

You’re going to see him have no block games and the opposition shooting high 30’s or low 40’s and wonder what happened, only to watch the game and see he scared players off attempting anything near the rim.

[HardenGoat]

This guy is unbelievable. The hype was real

[DwayneSchintzus]

I’ll continue to get flamed but there is simply no need for a 7’4 guy to dribble drive and shoot low percentage fadeaway. None.

You’d want to use his shot the same way Aldridge did, who is probably one of, if not the very best mid range shooting big men.

You also don’t want him shooting five threes a game, no matter how open he is off screens.

It’s all exciting to see a guy do stuff we've never seen from someone so tall but at the end of the day it’s fundamentals and high percentage plays that will get it done on the offensive end.

If he takes the same shots tonight all season he will shoot 40% from the field and be a waste on offense.

Defensively was the impressive part tonight.

You’re going to see him have no block games and the opposition shooting high 30’s or low 40’s and wonder what happened, only to watch the game and see he scared players off attempting anything near the rim.

have you called Pop and offered your suggestions?

[Pachinko_]

I’ll continue to get flamed but there is simply no need for a 7’4 guy to dribble drive and shoot low percentage fadeaway. None.

You’d want to use his shot the same way Aldridge did, who is probably one of, if not the very best mid range shooting big men.

You also don’t want him shooting five threes a game, no matter how open he is off screens.

It’s all exciting to see a guy do stuff we've never seen from someone so tall but at the end of the day it’s fundamentals and high percentage plays that will get it done on the offensive end.

If he takes the same shots tonight all season he will shoot 40% from the field and be a waste on offense.

Defensively was the impressive part tonight.

You’re going to see him have no block games and the opposition shooting high 30’s or low 40’s and wonder what happened, only to watch the game and see he scared players off attempting anything near the rim.

have you called Pop and offered your suggestions?

Ηe is right though. I'd bet my left one that Pop agrees too, there's just not much reason to restrict a young player right now either. Let him do his thing, these games are about getting comfortable (maybe the whole year is for the Spurs)

[BigGargamel]

Read on Twitter

Imagine having someone on your favorite team that can do this and complaining about it LOL

[rapstarter]

I’ll continue to get flamed but there is simply no need for a 7’4 guy to dribble drive and shoot low percentage fadeaway. None.

You’d want to use his shot the same way Aldridge did, who is probably one of, if not the very best mid range shooting big men.

You also don’t want him shooting five threes a game, no matter how open he is off screens.

It’s all exciting to see a guy do stuff we've never seen from someone so tall but at the end of the day it’s fundamentals and high percentage plays that will get it done on the offensive end.

If he takes the same shots tonight all season he will shoot 40% from the field and be a waste on offense.

Defensively was the impressive part tonight.

You’re going to see him have no block games and the opposition shooting high 30’s or low 40’s and wonder what happened, only to watch the game and see he scared players off attempting anything near the rim.

High percentage play doesn't look the same for every player. If he's getting five wide open threes and he's capable of making them at a high rate, why wouldn't you want him to take them? Just because he's 7'4"?

[zimpy27]

I’ll continue to get flamed but there is simply no need for a 7’4 guy to dribble drive and shoot low percentage fadeaway. None.

You’d want to use his shot the same way Aldridge did, who is probably one of, if not the very best mid range shooting big men.

You also don’t want him shooting five threes a game, no matter how open he is off screens.

It’s all exciting to see a guy do stuff we've never seen from someone so tall but at the end of the day it’s fundamentals and high percentage plays that will get it done on the offensive end.

If he takes the same shots tonight all season he will shoot 40% from the field and be a waste on offense.

Defensively was the impressive part tonight.

You’re going to see him have no block games and the opposition shooting high 30’s or low 40’s and wonder what happened, only to watch the game and see he scared players off attempting anything near the rim.

He's showing what he can do and Pop will work with it. This first year will be exploration.

[zimpy27]

[ShaqAttac]

could he be like russ

If you’re referring to Bill Russell, absolutely not (maybe very few shades). Being 7’5 represents a decent amount of lateral quickness , and speed in general , being traded off.

That said, Wemby is very fluid and functionally athletic for his height. Some of his abilities to cover court on either side were on full display tonight. If the handle and passing continue, I think we get an all-star caliber player much sooner than later.

aw

[evilpimp972]

I’ll continue to get flamed but there is simply no need for a 7’4 guy to dribble drive and shoot low percentage fadeaway. None.

You’d want to use his shot the same way Aldridge did, who is probably one of, if not the very best mid range shooting big men.

You also don’t want him shooting five threes a game, no matter how open he is off screens.

It’s all exciting to see a guy do stuff we've never seen from someone so tall but at the end of the day it’s fundamentals and high percentage plays that will get it done on the offensive end.

If he takes the same shots tonight all season he will shoot 40% from the field and be a waste on offense.

Defensively was the impressive part tonight.

You’re going to see him have no block games and the opposition shooting high 30’s or low 40’s and wonder what happened, only to watch the game and see he scared players off attempting anything near the rim.

Have you watched Dirk play? One leg fade away aren't exactly efficient for everyone else. This is what made him special in the playoffs.
If the kid is successfull doing it, you can't restrict him.
Oh and btw, this is a way to keep him healthy not to have to bang down low.

[jehosafats]

Wemby's abilities already looking pretty ridiculous

[Phreak50]

Read on Twitter

Imagine having someone on your favorite team that can do this and complaining about it LOL

There’s lots of guys that can. Not at that height obviously.

They don’t because it’s a ridiculously low percentage shot.

And again, why waste a 7’4 guy who can just stand on the block and shoot Aldridge like jumpers when facing up or develop a couple little hook shots?

If Pop still cares enough to make guys great, Wemby is going to be getting much worse than the rookie Tony Parker treatment. Somehow I don’t think that will happen. You have to coddle young kids and let them do what they want.

Sure it’s just practice and not the real thing. We will see how he goes. I’m predicting he struggles with his fg% in his rookie year.

You guys see a highlight and have already pencilled him in for 25ppg at 70%.

[Pachinko_]

High percentage play doesn't look the same for every player. If he's getting five wide open threes and he's capable of making them at a high rate, why wouldn't you want him to take them? Just because he's 7'4"?

He doesnt make 3s at a high rate.
If/when he starts to then sure why not.

[ForeverTFC]

I’ll continue to get flamed but there is simply no need for a 7’4 guy to dribble drive and shoot low percentage fadeaway. None.

You’d want to use his shot the same way Aldridge did, who is probably one of, if not the very best mid range shooting big men.

You also don’t want him shooting five threes a game, no matter how open he is off screens.

It’s all exciting to see a guy do stuff we've never seen from someone so tall but at the end of the day it’s fundamentals and high percentage plays that will get it done on the offensive end.

If he takes the same shots tonight all season he will shoot 40% from the field and be a waste on offense.

Defensively was the impressive part tonight.

You’re going to see him have no block games and the opposition shooting high 30’s or low 40’s and wonder what happened, only to watch the game and see he scared players off attempting anything near the rim.

You shouldn’t get flamed for this. He definitely needs to dribble less. The shot selection though, I don’t mind. He’s a young kid and the Spurs have nothing to play for this season. Let him explore and see what sticks.

Pop will eventually reign him in but right now, he needs to see for himself what works and what doesn’t. Plus, I think the first order of business for Pop is getting this dude to at least pretend like he’s willing to rebound the ball

[Pachinko_]

Call me weird but you know what impressed me the most about Wemby's dunks? How after the dunk he sprinted every time back to D, during a nothing game.

[WestGOAT]

How has his defensive fundamentels looked like? So basically anything that doesn't make a highlight-reel or show up in the box-score?

How is he impacting opposition shot-selection? How well is his awareness/ and positioning? Does he chance blocks?

[Zombiesonics]

How has his defensive fundamentels looked like? So basically anything that doesn't make a highlight-reel or show up in the box-score?

How is he impacting opposition shot-selection? How well is his awareness/ and positioning? Does he chance blocks?

He will get blown by on switches but the guy has flashed some crazy defensive awareness and skills already in the recent games i've seen. That one block he had tonight where he fell down; that was after he contested another heat players attempt. People are scared to go the rim with him there already. Yeah I can see him being one of the better defensive bigs stats wise his rookie year.

[WillyJakkz]

This guy did an in and out dribble between the legs to the left fadeaway and cashed it.

And is 7'4".

He has realized he can do the same things he does in practice in Europe in SL and now preseason against better competition on each level. It's like he's a create a player in a video game.

People keep saying wait until he plays bigger comp in the regular season.

He will literally do them the same way.

[The Master]

I’ll continue to get flamed but there is simply no need for a 7’4 guy to dribble drive and shoot low percentage fadeaway. None.

You’d want to use his shot the same way Aldridge did, who is probably one of, if not the very best mid range shooting big men.

You also don’t want him shooting five threes a game, no matter how open he is off screens.

It’s all exciting to see a guy do stuff we've never seen from someone so tall but at the end of the day it’s fundamentals and high percentage plays that will get it done on the offensive end.

If he takes the same shots tonight all season he will shoot 40% from the field and be a waste on offense.

Defensively was the impressive part tonight.

You’re going to see him have no block games and the opposition shooting high 30’s or low 40’s and wonder what happened, only to watch the game and see he scared players off attempting anything near the rim.

It's about projection, not about here and now, he's 19yo.

He has massive upside with his shooting:

- his midrange can be lethal with his footwork/handles/separation/mechanics,
- he'll be at least decent 3pt shooter as well.

So naah, he shouldn't limit himself to 'high percentage plays' - he should play in a way that makes conditions of his development the most profitable from long-term perspective.

Kevin Durant was below-40% midrange shooter and below-30% 3pt shooter as a rookie and yet become one of the greatest scorers ever.

Wembanyama will be efficient regardless as a player because he's an elite finisher/elite FT shooter, so to give him more of a carte blanche on offense on this Spurs team is the best what Pop can do. It's not like Spurs will contend for anything next season nor have any legit-legit talent besides Wembanyama.

His mid post game will be probably crucial for him as an offensive facilitator in terms of his face up game/drawing doubles/punishing small defenders - Embiid developed ~50%FG midrange J and is unguardable (at least in RS), Wembanyama can do it even to the bigger degree as his shooting potential is simply bigger. So yeah, sometimes he'll take some ugly fadeaways, but in few years can be lethal in that regard.

[no dice]

Damn he plays bball like how I used to play with the miniature hoop I hung on the door when I was 10.