The NBA is buzzing about the threat of Victor Wembanyama after the San Antonio Spurs 120-104 win over the Miami Heat in Friday’s preseason action. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft played only 23 minutes but totaled 23 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.
Wembanyama displayed an impressive ability to play within the flow of the Spurs’ offense, showing a little bit of everything. His involvement ranged from playing out of the corner as the focus of a Zoom action, allowing him to attack downhill in the middle of the floor, to operating as the big out of a dribble handoff action before re-screening to get it back. He even played out of a pick-and-roll as the ball handler, getting into the gap to take a step-back jumper at the nail.
“He’s obviously a gifted player who was very humbly trying to find his place,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Wembanyama. “I called one play for him all night and I think he got over 20. He just did that because he’s a good basketball player and understands how to play, so we have to make sure that we blend that with everything else we have.”
Wembanyama, who the Spurs played at the five more against the Heat than he did in his preseason debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder, did a lot of damage using his physical tools as a cutter, as an interior relief option on dropoff passes, and in transition situations while also having his shooting serve as a threat in pick-and-pop. There were numerous times when Wembanyama’s teammates could throw the ball up to him, and the defense could do nothing to recover.
NBA NEWS & PRESEASON: Victor Wembanyama & San Antonio Spurs Updates
One play stood out, particularly involving Wembanyama, stationed off-ball, staying active out of the dunker spot to make himself available for a pass from Tre Jones, who was actively attacking on the drive. He barely had to jump to dunk the ball in a situation most players wouldn’t think about dunking. He can make remarkable plays at 7-foot-4 with an 8-foot wingspan and quick twitch leaping ability.
“Before we knew it, he was dunking it. With ease, too,” Jones said. “It wasn’t like he was reaching for it. It was crazy.”
“You see how coordinated he is with how long and tall he is,” Jones explained. “You don’t see that very often. You throw it up, he can go get it a lot of times.”
NBA NEWS & PRESEASON: Victor Wembanyama & San Antonio Spurs Updates
The Spurs continue to be amazed by what Wembanyama can do on the court and are looking forward to seeing how he will impress daily as he makes his mark in the NBA.
“He didn’t even dribble,” Spurs forward Devin Vassell said, who finished with 21 points on 6-7 shooting from 3. “He is going to make special plays. I’m going to keep talking about it, he will make a play every game where you just look down like what the heck just happened.”
Wembanyama is already showing greater comfort in attacking defenses as he continues acclimating to the NBA style of play and level of competition. He is noticing the attention he’s commanding from the defense, enabling him to find shooters open on the perimeter. As his threat on the floor grows, more playmaking chances will result.
“What I felt from the previous game, sometimes when I get the ball, I don’t even need to dribble, and I see defenders coming to face me and forgetting about their own guy,” Wembanyama said. “When it’s a shooter like Dev, it’s the easy option to pass it out to him.”
NBA NEWS & PRESEASON: Victor Wembanyama & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Another adjustment the Spurs made against the Heat was to deploy Jeremy Sochan at point guard, leveraging his playmaking talent while maximizing size and length on defense. Wembanyama has a favorable perception of playing next to Sochan in such a configuration.
“He’s comfortable with this position,” Wembanyama said. “Everyone trusts him, and I think he’s got a good future in that position for sure.”
The Spurs have three preseason games before the team’s Oct. 25 regular-season opener against a Dallas Mavericks team featuring Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. San Antonio’s upcoming preseason matches include consecutive home games against the Houston Rockets, followed by a road preseason finale against the Golden State Warriors.
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