The landing of French center Victor Wembanyana in the NBA has been as expected… except for the results. The young 2.24 player already had a spectacular performance in the 2023 Draft and the fact that he was going to be placed under the orders of Popovich completed the circle. The beginning of a new Texan dynasty was seen, as they once achieved in two stages with the Robinson Duncans, etc.
His first games confirmed what was expected of him. Wembanyana has alternated good games with others that have not been so good. It is logical given his age and the adaptation period he must go through. He does incredible things for his height and, above all, for his little experience in the NBA. But that also allows rivals to take advantage of him and sometimes they have set up some ‘traps’ that he has not known or has had a hard time getting out of.
The place where Wemby receives.
The place where it ends. pic.twitter.com/5BTEvWtvBh
— NBASpain (@NBAspain) November 24, 2023
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Despite everything, Gregg Popovich looks to the future and continues to give him minutes that other ‘newbie’ players would be denied. It is a medium-term project and, for that reason, it may not worry as much as it should. the 3-12 with which the San Antonio Spurs have started the NBA regular season or the fact that they are the third worst team in the championship, only surpassed by the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons, both from the East. That is, they are bottom of the Western Conference, tied with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Victor Wembanyana’s numbers They are those of a more experienced player. He plays 30.1 minutes per game in which he averages 18.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 blocks… with a maximum limit of the 29 points he scored against the Minnesota Timberwolves – leaders of the West – or the 15 rebounds in his last game against the Clippers.
The NBA makes Chet Holmgren a leader
However, He is not the first in the fight to be Rookie of the Year. He has been surpassed by the other great sensation that debuted this season and whose name was initially eclipsed by the arrival of Wembanyana. Its about Thunder player Chet Holmgren, which he has already faced, in a game that the Spurs lost, but in which neither one nor the other shone.
Chet Holmgren has significantly lower numbers (29.7 minutes, 17.1 points, 8.1 rebounds…), but his performances are being valued more by the NBA, which has placed him at the head of the Rookie of the Year classification in its latest update.
Chet Holmgren takes the top spot in @AschNBA‘s latest NBA App Kia Rookie Ladder!
See the full breakdown on the NBA App!
➡️ pic.twitter.com/mSjNCwRw57
— NBA (@NBA) November 22, 2023
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This is helped by the good start to the campaign he has had. the Oklahoma team, which is second in the West after the Minnesota Timberwolves with a record of 11 wins and four losses. In part, thanks to the contribution of young Holmgren.
Wembayana has his 19 years and experience in Europe in his favor, but the future battle that was expected between him and Holmgren is already here. There is no need to wait a few more years.
2023-11-24 09:34:49
#Victor #Wembanyana #surpassed #NBA
