Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2023-24 participant evaluations! The sequence will take a look at the 15 gamers who completed the season with the San Antonio Spurs on assured contracts (so no two-way gamers as a result of we noticed so little of them this 12 months, and no Doug McDermott). Take pleasure in!
Victor Wembanyama
2023-24 stats: 71 video games, 21.4 factors, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks 46.5 FG%
Contract Standing: 3 years, $43 million remaining
Age: 20
What extra might be mentioned about Victor Wembanyama? In his first NBA season, the first-overall-pick established himself as a famous person. Listed here are just some accomplishments from Wembanyama’s rookie season:
Unanimous Rookie of The Yr (seventh participant to ever try this)
All-Defensive First Workforce (first rookie to ever make the workforce, additionally completed second for defensive participant of the 12 months)
Youngest participant to document a 5×5 sport
tenth participant in NBA historical past to common 20 factors, 10 rebounds and three blocks
4th participant to document 1,500 factors, 250 assists and 250 blocks
Wembanyama’s first 12 months was historic, and instantly places him within the dialog with Tim Duncan and David Robinson as the very best San Antonio Spurs rookie of all time. He lived as much as the hype after which some. Not solely did he dominate on the courtroom, however he was energetic in the neighborhood off it. There was no controversy or drama with Wemby. Simply hoops and the occasional nerdy quote about science-fiction. In only one season he utterly received over this fan base and has so many excited for the longer term.
What ought to scare the remainder of the NBA is he solely obtained higher because the season went on. As soon as he moved to middle full-time, it opened up a lot of his offensive sport. He was capable of play extra within the decide and roll, and function as an offensive hub on the prime of the important thing and within the low block. He has official upside as a passing large man, even displaying the flexibility to deal with the ball within the decide and roll. He can area the ground, take gamers off the dribble and rating on the low block. Defensively, he can swap onto faster ball-handlers and is certainly one of, if not the very best rim protector within the league. The sky is the restrict for Wembanyama.
Trying Forward
Wembanyama will look to proceed to construct his legacy this summer season within the Paris olympics. An olympic medal can be the cherry on prime of an elite rookie season. France ought to have an actual alternative to take action with one of many higher rosters within the discipline.
Rumors are that Wembanyama is already doing two-a-day exercises in San Antonio in preparation for subsequent season. It’s clear he has a very good work ethic, which ought to bode properly for him enhancing right into a participant that may lead the Spurs again to the playoffs.
He has loads to work on. Wembanyama was on a minutes restriction for a lot of the season, however nonetheless seemed drained late in video games. He might by no means be jacked, however getting stronger and being in peak bodily form will assist him deal with the heavy minutes the Spurs will want him to play. He was a bit turnover susceptible in his rookie season, averaging 3.7 giveaways a sport. Tightening his deal with and reducing down on sloppy passes ought to assist that quantity go down. Wembanyama shot simply 32.5% from deep this season, however led the NBA in step-back three-point taking pictures (46.2%). He clearly has contact, however simply must hone in his catch and shoot stroke.
We probably simply witnessed the worst season Wembanyama may have within the NBA. That’s a tantalizing thought for Spurs followers. As he improves and the entrance workplace continues to construct a profitable roster round him, we could possibly be a multiple-time MVP. The expectations on Wembanyama subsequent 12 months shall be to win video games. One other 20 win season received’t fly. Fortunately for the Spurs, when you have been to guess on any younger participant within the NBA to influence profitable, it might be Wembanyama.
High Efficiency
February 23 vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 27 factors, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 blocks and 5 steals
Remaining Grade: A+
Earlier Evaluations:
Sidy Cissoko
Charles Bassey
Devonte’ Graham
Dominick Barlow
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Blake Wesley
Cedi Osman
Julian Champagnie
Zach Collins
Malaki Branham
Keldon Johnson
Tre Jones
Jeremy Sochan
Devin Vassell
