The San Antonio Spurs took Victor Wembanyama n°1 within the common rating within the 2023 NBA Draft, hoping it might revitalize a once-elite franchise. The rookie has offered dozens of encouraging moments, however one weak spot additionally lingers.
Wembanyama was on the enterprise facet after a dunk by the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis. Not simply any dunk, however worthy of posterization.
TJD PUT WEMBY ON A POSTER 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/FOlJAjhD2B
– Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 12, 2024
The sophomore facilities meet for the primary time for the reason that dunk seen all over the world Saturday when the Warriors (12-3) tackle the Spurs (8-8) at Frost Financial institution Middle in San Antonio. Tip-off is scheduled for five:30 p.m. PT, with NBC Sports activities Bay Space televising the sport.
Wembanyama has missed San Antonio’s final three video games with a proper knee contusion, however the 7-foot-4 Frenchman was upgraded from questionable to possible Saturday morning and is anticipated to play.
Circumstances have modified considerably for Jackson-Davis since March 11, when he shrugged off a six-inch peak drawback and threw a nasty left-handed jam on Wemby. TJD had solely began 4 NBA video games on the time and got here off the bench to provide this spotlight. He’s now in Golden State’s beginning lineup.
Jackson-Davis has began all 15 video games and is averaging 8.5 factors and 5.3 rebounds whereas taking part in simply 17.3 minutes per sport. The one different Warrior to start out each sport is Draymond Inexperienced, who begins at energy ahead but in addition takes over at heart, as does Kevon Looney.
As TJD adjusts to a barely totally different position – extra screening, passing and rim operating – his numbers have climbed over the past two video games, averaging 11.5 factors, 9.5 rebounds and 20.2 minutes.
Wembanyama, who unanimously received the Rookie of the Yr award, has additionally modified his sport. His scoring is up barely (22.7 factors per sport to 21.4) and his assists are down barely (2.8 to three.9), however the largest distinction is in his shot choice.
Practically half of Wemby’s pictures are taken from past the arc, together with his 8.6 3-point makes an attempt per sport rating him thirteenth within the NBA. For comparability, Stephen Curry averages 9.1.
May Wembanyama’s perimeter sport be used to get Jackson-Davis out of the paint? This might be a ploy utilized by the Spurs, who, with legendary coach Gregg Popovich on go away, can be coached by assistant Mitch Johnson, a former Stanford level guard.
The Warriors, nonetheless, in all probability desire Wemby to go for it. He is taking pictures 33.9 % from distance.
But when Wembanyama needs revenge in opposition to TJD, he’ll make an exception. He’ll assault the rim in pursuit of his personal poster.
Obtain and observe the Dubs Speak podcast
