Victor Wembanyama came close to achieving another triple-double with blocks in a game against the Clippers, scoring 24 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking nine shots. Despite his impressive stats, the Spurs lost 113-104.
Performance Analysis
If you only look at the numbers, Wembanyama had a great game. However, watching him play tells a different story. He often took risky long-range shots instead of driving to the basket. This was especially true during crucial moments in the fourth quarter.
Wemby attempted nine three-pointers on Monday night but only made two. Just days earlier against Minnesota, he went 1-for-7 from beyond the arc. So far this season, he’s hitting just 22% of his threes.
Shooting Choices
His frequent three-point attempts are surprising given his low success rate. He shoots more threes than well-known shooters like Donte DiVincenzo and Bradley Beal. But it’s not just about threes; he’s also struggling with mid-range shots.
When Wemby takes shots closer to the basket, he’s much more accurate—over 70% from less than eight feet away! So why isn’t he focusing on these high-percentage areas?
Fans think he should stick closer to the hoop where he’s most effective.
Room for Improvement
Wemby’s current strategy isn’t smart basketball. If he focused on dominating near the rim, he’d be unstoppable and could help win tight games for the Spurs. For instance, during Monday’s loss, instead of taking an awkward long shot guarded by James Harden late in the game, he could have driven through an open lane.
Analytics suggest playing to your strengths is key; it’s puzzling why no one has advised him to shoot fewer threes. Last week on ESPN, Richard Jefferson shared similar thoughts about Wemby’s love for jump shots.
Jefferson said: “Get him in that free throw line… His advantage is not out there [on the perimeter].”
Through seven games this season, Wemby averages 18.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game with nearly four blocks per game while playing for a team that’s currently sitting at a record of 3-4 so far this year.
