Inside Victor Wembanyama’s unprecedented start to his NBA career

Victor Wembanyama lurks in thepaint, just beside the dunker spot, waiting for the drive. TheSpurs rookie has done this all season long, gobbling up shots likeno one else, using his seemingly alien-like wingspan and hugehands. Just when Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thought hehad a clear lane to the basket, Wemby comes along and swats it withtwo hands. On the other end of the floor, Wembanyama receives apass from Tre Jones and casually pulls up from 34 feet, whichsplashes through.

On the next possession,Wembanyama works his way into another three-pointer off apick-and-pop action from Devin Vassell and finds nothing but thebottom of the net. Following the made basket, OKC turned to ChetHolmgren – Wembanyama’s rival and Rookie-of-the-Year competition.Holmgren goes through a series of dribbles trying to get by thefreakish 7-foot-4 frame, but Wembanyama stays with him and blocksthe shot.

Those back-to-back possessionspretty much sum up the kind of rookie season Wembanyama ishaving.

The French phenom is in themidst of one of the best rookie seasons of all time, averaging 20.4points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.3 blocks per game. What’s evenmore impressive is that he’s doing this while playing just 28.8minutes a night.

“Night in and night out, thestuff that he does, the impact that he has on both ends of thefloor. Big shot after big block after whatever the case may be – hedoesn’t even act like a rookie," Vassell said in disbelief. “Imean, the shots that he shoots, the confidence that he has in hisgame – he’s second to none, truthfully.”

In that win over the Thunder,Wembanyama’s numbers were out of this world: 28 points, 13rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks, 5 threes and 2 steals. It was thefirst time in NBA history that a player recorded this stat line.Wemby has caught the eye of LeBron James, a fellowgenerational player who lived up to the insane hype from his rookieyear and ultimately exceeded the wild expectations.

“I have said it from thebeginning, he’s special,” James said, smiling. “He has anunbelievable coach that’s gonna make sure that he does things theright way, play the game the right way and he’s gonna continue todevelop… He’s already special and he’s going to continue to getbetter and better and better each and every game, each and everyyear that he steps on this floor.

Head coach Gregg Popovich hasbeen blessed with Hall-of-Fame big men like Tim Duncan and DavidRobinson throughout his tenure with the Spurs, but he has taken amore cautious and developmental approach with the 20-year-oldWembanyama. While Robinson and Duncan came into the league as grownmen with a lot of basketball experience, Wembanyama stepped intothe NBA as a teenager with areas to improve (such as his strengthand filling out his body).

As the season progresses,Popovich has been satisfied with Wemby’s development, citing hisimprovement in different aspects of the game.

“He’s gotten more and morephysical as games go along, understanding how many games it is,”Popovich shared. "Now he knows what the rodeo road trip is like soyou know, it’s solid education for him. And he obviously did a goodjob [against OKC].”

In the very next game againstthe Indiana Pacers, Wembanyama poured in 31 points, 12 rebounds, 6assists and 6 blocks in the win to join Robinson and Duncan as theonly rookies in NBA history to post these stats. Wemby and reigningMVP Joel Embiid are the only players to tally such numbers thisseason. Popovich lauded Wembanyama’s composure, especially inclutch moments – a rare sight for a rookie.

“We all see the skills, whetherit's blocking shots or making an important three, making a steal,whatever it might be. But the most, not surprising, but uniquequality he has at his age is the composure," Pop said.

The Spurs recently had anine-game road trip, their longest stretch of the season. Despitelosing all but one game, Wembanyama saw his usage and minutessteadily increase. This has allowed him to be unleashed for longerstretches and deliver outputs like we saw against the Thunder andPacers.

When the Spurs returned home,Wembanyama addressed the San Antonio crowd and expressed hisexcitement about playing in front of his home crowdagain.

“I missed this sh–,” Wembanyamasaid with a huge grin on his face, as Robinson watched and noddedalong like a proud father. “I love it, I missed it. Enjoying thegame, and we coming back from a long road trip with more than16,000 people that I love – the best feeling. Go Spursgo!”

Wembanyama has all of the tools— physically and mentally — to do big things for the Spurs, a proudorganization that once had 20-straight playoffappearances.WithWembanyama in the fold, it looks like all the losing was worthit.