The 2024-25 NBA season is just beginning, and all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama, the towering prodigy of the San Antonio Spurs. As he navigates the early games of the season, Wembanyama's performance comes under a microscope, providing insights into the challenges and expectations facing this next-gen basketball star.
The Learning Curve for Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama's transition from a promising prospect to a key player for the Spurs has been watched with keen interest. In the first three games, Wembanyama’s shooting has been less than stellar, converting only six out of 24 jump shots. Even more striking is his struggle from beyond the arc, making just four of 18 attempts. These statistics signal a player still finding his rhythm in the NBA's high-pressure environment.
Reflecting on his performance, Wembanyama openly addressed his shooting hurdles, stating, "The conditioning is not an excuse. For the missed shots ... it's just taking shots in rhythm. That's the most important for me. I think I'm comfortable in every area of the floor to shoot, but at the same time, if I'm not in rhythm, any area of the floor I'll miss."
Wembanyama's struggles are not entirely unexpected, considering his limited role in two of the Spurs' five preseason matchups. Adjusting from international play, where he led the French national team to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Wembanyama has encountered growing pains. His three-point shooting percentage was a respectable 28% at the Olympics, but the NBA, with its differently paced game and defensive schemes, presents a new level of adjustment.
The Rise of Three-Point Shooting
A trend sweeping through the NBA this season is the remarkable rise in three-point attempts. Nine NBA teams are consistently launching over 40 three-point shots per game. For context, the Boston Celtics, a team notoriously reliant on the deep ball, averaged 42.5 attempts per game last season. This evolution underscores not only a strategic shift league-wide but also places additional pressure on players like Wembanyama to hone their outside shooting skills.
Players Emerging as Three-Point Threats
Contrasting Wembanyama's early struggle, other players have embraced a more aggressive approach from the perimeter. Notably, Anthony Edwards, who has backed his increase from 6.7 to over 13 three-point attempts per game with a 41.5% conversion rate, highlights the league's growing emphasis on the three-pointer. Edwards exemplifies how players wielding a high-volume shooting strategy can reconfigure their roles and impact within their teams.
Another significant development is the refined shooting efficiency of a seasoned name like Karl-Anthony Towns. Known for his career 40% success rate from the three-point line, Towns has been on an impressive streak this season, sinking 66% of his attempts across six tries in as many games. However, this efficiency has accompanied a reduced overall volume, from 15.3 to 9.3 shot attempts per game, indicating a more judicious selection process under the basket and beyond.
This focus on team dynamics and individual player adjustments shines through in comments from players like Jalen Brunson, who emphasized the collective aspect of gameplay with, "It's on me as a teammate to make sure we're all on the same page and that everyone's eating. I've got to be better when it comes to that. I've got to adjust, and I've got to see [Towns]."
Future Prospects
As the season progresses, the narrative around these players will undoubtedly evolve. For Wembanyama, the challenge lies in finding his shooting rhythm and contributing more consistently to the Spurs' offensive system. His post-break performance last season, registering 31% on jump shots and 33% from three-point land, suggests that adjustments and adaptations are well within his reach.
The broader question for the league will be how effectively teams can balance the high-stakes three-point game with varying individual performances. As the sport continues to evolve, players who adjust swiftly and teams that foster environments of collective growth and responsibility will likely thrive.
Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, and Karl-Anthony Towns exemplify the spectrum of adaptation strategies, with each highlighting different facets of the modern NBA game.