Victor Wembanyama had a strong start in his first season, almost challenging for the Defensive Player of the Year title. Even though the San Antonio Spurs had a defense ranked in the bottom eight, Wembanyama’s defensive skills were exceptional. Despite winning his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award, Rudy Gobert was followed by Wembanyama as the runner-up, a notable accomplishment for a rookie.
Dominating the Paint
Wembanyama topped the league as a defensive player during his rookie season and was the first rookie to receive All-Defensive First-Team recognition. His skill in changing the trajectory of shots was truly amazing. When facing the 7-foot-4 phenom from the Spurs, opponents only made 46% of their 2-point shots and 33% of their 3-point shots. His existence inside the key created confusion for rival offenses, forcing them to reconsider driving to the basket.
Intimidating Presence
Synergy Sports reported that Wembanyama did not let any player score on him in transition in his first season. Just being on the court caused disruptions to fast breaks, making opponents think twice before shooting. NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan confessed to intentionally avoiding an easy layup because he felt Wembanyama’s presence near the basket.
Spurs’ Defensive Outlook
Having Wembanyama securing the defense brings hope for the future of the Spurs. Adding experienced player Chris Paul is expected to enhance San Antonio’s defense on the outside, as he takes on the role of vocal leader and guides his teammates during games. Nevertheless, anticipating a significant improvement to a top-15 defense could be considered overly ambitious at this stage.
Despite Wembanyama being on the court, the Spurs will have a chance to defend well every game. His first year as a rookie caught the attention of the league—Wembanyama has arrived. He’s already making a difference in the game.
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