What we learned from the Spurs’ win over the Nuggets

Query: Do you assume Victor Wembanyama is already a prime 25 participant within the league? I requested myself this query in latest weeks. Possibly as a result of the fellows from my favorite NBA podcast, “Jeden Tag NBA”, that’s German for “On a regular basis NBA”, have been discussing that query earlier than the beginning of the season.

A listener had requested whether or not Wemby could possibly be a prime 25 participant in his rookie 12 months. The prenseters thought it will be unfair to place such expectations on Wemby, as a result of only a few rookies ever had a legit case of being thought of a prime 25 participant within the league. However they’re as flabbergasted by the event Wemby has taken over his rookie season than everybody else is.

Frankly, I wasn’t completely positive methods to reply the query. “It’s potential,” I assumed. However I’m additionally conscious I’m sporting Silver-and-Black-tinged glasses. So, I requested Google. I typed in: “High 25 NBA gamers 2024”, to verify Wemby was included.

The very first thing that popped up, and, in actual fact, the one listing that made sense from the date of publication was an inventory by sportsnaut.com from 18 March, which has Wemby coming in at No27. Would Wemby rank increased within the listing 4 weeks on? I’m inclined to say: he would.

It was solely a one and a half weeks in the past that Sam Vecenie on his “Sport Idea” podcast had this to say concerning the French Phenom: “For those who informed me he’s the very best participant within the NBA by the point he’s in his third 12 months, I might consider that Victor Wembanyama has identical to damaged basketball in that approach.”

The truth that Victor Wembanyama is ready to break whoever is in his approach was on full show final night time towards the Nuggets.

Takeaways:

• Wemby shall be a High 10 participant subsequent season: In opposition to a full-strength Denver Nuggets, who nonetheless needed to play for the No1 seeding within the West, Wemby triggered a gargantuan comeback win for his Spurs with a ridiculous third-quarter three-peat from deep. He outscored, outrebounded, and, evidently, outblocked his reverse quantity, Nikola Jokic, who’s in all probability the very best participant on the planet proper now. Wemby additionally performed his position in placing 5 fouls to the Joker’s identify, whereas solely amassing one foul himself. Different stuff: Wemby’s playmaking continues to evolve, and, but once more, there have been these moments in which you’ll solely assume: How does he do it? Like when Michael Porter Jr. attacked Wemby’s closeout, however Wemby nonetheless managed to remain in entrance of him. Okay, Porter Jr. made the midi, however who cares? The best way Wemby is placing his stamp on a sport like that, whereas nonetheless scoring moderately inefficiently and shedding the ball seven occasions, actually makes you surprise the place he shall be as soon as he manages to enhance in these departments. High 10 subsequent season looks as if an inexpensive expectation at this stage.
• With Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Keldon Johnson sidelined, different gamers have been utilizing the rubbish time of the season to play themselves into the limelight: Julian Champagnie was given a four-year/12-million contract final low season and performances like final night time’s have me consider the Spurs are having themselves a stable stable backup wing for the long term. We knew he might make threes. What’s new, a minimum of to me, is the ferocity with which he is ready to assault the rim and dunk the ball. Similar identical, however totally different: Sandro Mamukelashvili. The best way the massive fella is ready to dance by way of the opposing protection to assault the rim is a factor of magnificence. Sean Elliot mentioned it through the broadcasts: It’s Mamu, however it appears to be like like Manu.
• 4 years in the past, Devonte’ Graham averaged 35.1 minutes, 18.2 factors, and seven.5 assists on a workforce that completed ninth within the Easter convention. This season with the Spurs, Graham largely needed to sit out. He by no means complained about it, a minimum of not publicly. As a substitute, what went public have been tales about Devonte’ being that sort of teammate you may solely want for. For giant parts of the season, the TV cameras solely obtained him frenetically cheering every time considered one of his teammates did one thing nice. He in all probability would have exploded if he obtained to see himself win the sport for his teammates with two clutch pictures in a row. I couldn’t be happier for Devonte’.