100 games of Wembanyama in the NBA: the monster who came to change basketball

If the numbers are not enough to realise his dimension, here are some of James Harden’s words after Wembanyama destroyed his Clippers: “He’s a beast on both sides of the court. He’s doing it all. He’s confident and his shot looks a lot more secure. Defensively, he’s active, blocking shots. Players like us leave and players like him come along. We thought we’d never see anything like that and he’s here”.

I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve played with some great defenders. I’ve got to the point where I take it for granted that he’s going to make the block. He’s got a gift

A sponge in learning

His normality is also part of the extraordinary. Wembanyama is easily coachable, never tires of learning and is like a sponge. “Things that took me years to learn, he picked up in minutes,” said Jamal Crawford, one of the NBA’s best-known ankle-breakers, with whom he was training. “His ability to digest information, retain the things we’re trying to help him with and at the same time put his own creativity and discipline into practice is special,” says his coach Mitch Johnson.

Victor Wembanyama, pívot de los Spurs

After that game, the last one he played in 2024, Wembanyama closed out a December for the NBA history books. Never before had a player accumulated in a single month of competition more than 300 points, more than 100 rebounds, more than 50 blocks, more than 50 assists and more than 40 three-pointers. So yes, literally, he does it all on the court.

Mitch Johnson, entrenador interino de los Spurs

A recent article in ‘Bleacher Report’ placed the Frenchman at the top of a list of the best 25 sportsmen for the next 25 years. No one would think it is far-fetched. The former number one draft pick and rookie of the year, in the short term, will be heading to the All-Star Game. He is also favourite to be the best defender – of this season and the next 15 – and a strong candidate to be part of the ideal quintet. Not bad for only 100 games in the NBA. In the long term, he is aiming for MVP, rings, to dominate the competition and world basketball. That is, if he is not called back to his home planet first.

Here are some figures to try to understand the impact of the Spurs star. In his first 100 games, his statistics say he averages 22.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.7 blocks and 2.2 three-pointers. Compared to the first hundred games of some NBA stars, this means a better average of points than LeBron James (21.8), a rebounding average close to that of Dwight Howard (10.6), an assist average higher than that of Steve Nash (2.5), a blocking average higher than that of Hakeem Olajuwon (2.6) and more three-pointers per game than Stephen Curry (2.0). Given the names, each statistic is more beastly than the last.

At 38 years old, he took on the enormous responsibility of filling Gregg Popovich’s shoes on the Spurs’ bench when the legendary coach suffered a minor stroke in early November. Johnson is getting the best out of Wembanyama. “I have no idea what the expectations were, but obviously he’s special,” said the coach, who has the team with a 17-16 record when they came off last season’s 22-60 campaign. It may not be the year that San Antonio returns to the playoffs, but riding on Wemby’s shoulders, they can dream big.

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