“Well, is he any good?” asked my wife to me while Victor Wembanyama was running around getting his second foul of the first half. My answer involved Kristaps Porzingis, and unicorns, and expectations. Wemby represents an evolutionary moment in hoops, but it isn’t as dramatically unusual as it is usually presented. In this game, after all, the Mavericks also boasted a couple of three-point shooting big man.
Still, it was evident that Victor Wembanyama is different and special. He started the night with a block, a reound, an assist (an entry pass to Collins for a turnaround). That was all in the first couple of minutes.
Whereas was called The Unicorn when he entered the league seven years ago, his career has been something of a disappointment. Tonight, he was the lead in for the Wembanyama debut and scored the most points in Celtics debut history with his 30 point, 8 rebound, 4 block night. Porzingis hit two big time threes late to help the team pull away.
In this one, Wembanyama hit two threes to start the first quarter, one from a pick-and-pop set and the other from a catch-and-dribble-and-shoot. He flew around like a puppy, hungrily swatting at shots and calling for lobs.
Wemby ended the first half with 12 minutes played 2/4 shooting, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 6 points.
It was the middle portion of the game that highlighted the experience difference. Veteran Grant Williams pulled some tricks on Victor and that meant the difference-maker had to see how differently he could swing a towel instead of hoop.
If you didn’t see, the game ended with the Spurs up 119-118 before Kyrie scored five straight. On the first, the Spurs lost Kyrie in the corner where he hit a three. Then Keldon Johnson got caught in the paint and Irving got a bucket in transition. After that, Johnson lost the ball again. It was a case of experience vs inexperience.
Wemby got back in the final 7 minutes, and promptly hit a three of a little cooking of Derrick Lively above the break. Then ran the floor and Tre Jones found him for a lob plus the harm (he missed). Then he got a little bucked in the post off a curl. He was up to 15 points and 9 in the quarter. If only he hadn’t had to sit for most of the game.
But that’s the difference. For all that we like about Keldon, Devin, et al, the real addition had to sit a long while. Luka bided his time and broke out some brilliant stuff late with some clever veteran stuff — drawing fouls, drawing doubles, playing the game at his pace. Kyrie Irving was quiet for long stretches but broke out with some good late. He wasn’t taking bad shots or forcing the issue. Meanwhile the Spurs need energy and effort to generate shots.
Whereas Luka and Kyrie created good shots for themselves and each other late, Devin and Keldon struggled to get something good in that final two minutes.
That’s NBA basketball, folks. Those final two minutes make or break teams.
Some observations from this one.
The Mavericks are terrible defensively, so that should color our analysis of the Spurs offense. SAS scored 43 in the first half. The most in two years. The Spurs ended the half with 68 and the third with 96.
Dallas’ Derrick Lively did big man stuff all night vs this squad. He didn’t start, but they quickly realized his value and he flew around for lobs and put-backs. The Spurs don’t have anyone that plays center* that can guard someone like that.
*that means no Wemby, who floats.Devin Vassell 23 — There were times where he looked like he could get an easy 30 points. He hungrily came off screens looking for his shots and even hit a fadeaway from the corner off a pick. It was great stuff, but he struggled to get looks late when it mattered.
Zach Collins 14 — He looked aggressive early vs Lively, and got some tough looks to go in — a push shot here, a scoop there. I wonder how easily he’ll find some looks vs tougher interior defenses but I like what he brought.
Keldon Johnson 17 — The usual aggression and attacking was there, but was cooked by Doncic (not embarrassing but still). Love the energy and stuff, but he lost the ball in the paint twice on the final four possessions that killed the chances.
Jeremy Sochan 13 — He brought the ball up and had good shot aggression. He did a lot of good (7 rebounds, 5 assists, etc) but fouled a lot and didn’t always finish chances around the rim.
Tre Jones 16 — He looked to score off the bench (I like it) and did. He sparked two rallies, and played off the ball a lot as well.
Victor Wembanyama 15 — What to say? He looked the part of the unicorn, freak of nature, game-changer that he is. He also looked like a 19-year old rookie.
Love Cedi Osman’s aggression all over. He had 12 but also get a rebound.