The Victor Wembanyama hype practice has struck the basketball world foolish. There simply appears to be no correct method to predict the outcomes of a 7-foot-4 phenom like him. You’ll see takes starting from he’s a top-30 participant for a playoff group, to he’ll get dominated by the celebs of the league because the Spurs head again to the lottery.
What we discovered within the San Antonio Spurs common season opener is that we most likely simply want extra time to see how that is all going to play out. Positive, Wembanyama didn’t play a ton towards Dallas (simply 25 minutes) as a consequence of foul hassle. However within the fourth quarter, he acquired the gang rocking with a couple of baskets that made all the hype appear value it. Regardless of the restricted taking part in time he completed with 15 factors on 6-9 taking pictures.
Do you wish to guess who else posted an identical stat line of their NBA debut? That’s proper. Tim Duncan additionally scored 15 factors on 6-9 taking pictures in 1997.
Spurs followers rapidly discovered that preseason success doesn’t alway correlate with common season wins. The distinction between a Dru Smith and Jamal Cain led assault is vastly totally different than Luka Doncic coming at you within the choose and roll. These defensive leaps the Spurs appeared to make have been there in spurts, however couldn’t final your entire recreation. Particularly within the third quarter when the Mavericks seemingly acquired into the paint on each possession, and made Derrick Full of life II seem like prime-DeAndre Jordan.
Offensively it was a equally uneven story. They moved the ball sufficient to get 33 assists, however turned it over 18 instances. With out Zach Collins, Keldon Johnson or Tre Jones on the ground, who’s placing strain on the rim constantly sufficient to make the offense work? Perhaps the story is totally different with Wemby taking part in the total recreation, permitting Pop to stagger his offensive weapons extra.
It wasn’t all unhealthy. They have been good in transition and Vassell appeared like a go-to scorer at instances. There are causes to be optimistic about each ends of the ground within the loss.
On the finish of the day it is a younger roster nonetheless creating into no matter group they’re going to be at their peak. It’s straightforward (and enjoyable) to get caught up within the hype. I do know folks hate this phrase… nevertheless it’s going to be a course of. I’m simply excited to see what the squad appears to be like like after they determine all of it out.
Takeaways
Vassell appeared superior on the market on Wednesday. He had 23 factors on 9-17 taking pictures, with 5 rebounds and three assists. He was attending to his spots within the mid-range and hitting constantly. Vassell shot simply 1-6 from the three-point line, which gave the impression to be a results of the Mavs being bodily with him past the arc. He’s going to need to make groups pay for taking away his three level shot, and he did so towards Dallas. It was a very spectacular scoring efficiency.
The defensive rotations have been irritating towards Dallas. Luka goes to do Luka issues, and it appeared like Jeremy Sochan was doing a fairly good job making him work for his pictures within the first half. As quickly because the Mavericks began getting lesser perimeter defenders switched onto him, it created a nightmare for the Spurs. Too typically a San Antonio defender would depart his man one-pass-away to assist on Luka, which led to an open three for a Maverick. That’s how Kyrie Irving acquired his go-ahead three within the clutch. It’s one thing the Spurs should tighten up when the play different dominant stars.
Jones was important to retaining San Antonio within the recreation when it appeared just like the Mavs may pull forward within the second half. He was the one participant off the bench who had a constructive plus-minus (+1.) He had 16 factors and 6 assists in 25 minutes. They wanted somebody in that second unit to get downhill and create some offense. He pushed the tempo in transition when it was applicable, and was good at navigating the choose and roll. The Sochan/Jones debate goes to maintain raging as this season continues, particularly after Jones efficiency on Wednesday.
