Jeff Garcia here, the host of the daily Locked On Spurs podcast, with your daily Locked On Spurs newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Spurs and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Victor Wembanyama’s 50-point game & its impact
Mar 29, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after scoring a three point basket in overtime against the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports|Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Wembanyama’s Breakout Performance: A Glimpse into the Future
Victor Wembanyama’s recent performance against the Washington Wizards was nothing short of spectacular. Scoring 50 points, he not only set a career-high but also joined the exclusive 50-point club. This achievement is a testament to his growing prowess on the court and his potential to become a dominant force in the NBA. Wembanyama expressed his honor in reaching this milestone, emphasizing his desire to enjoy such moments with wins and progress, showcasing a maturity beyond his years.
However, it’s essential to consider the context of this performance. The Wizards, currently struggling with a 2-8 record, may not have posed the toughest challenge. Wembanyama’s ability to hit threes, going 8 for 16, and his overall offensive versatility were on full display. Yet, the question remains: can he maintain this level of play consistently? We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from him before, such as his standout game against the Phoenix Suns last season, followed by quieter performances. Consistency will be key for Wembanyama as he continues to develop and adapt to the NBA’s demands.
The Road Ahead: Consistency and Growth
Wembanyama’s recent shooting performance, with impressive percentages from beyond the arc, suggests he may have found his stroke. While it’s unrealistic to expect him to shoot 50% from three-point range every game, maintaining a high percentage could make him nearly unguardable. His ability to shoot lights out consistently would be a significant concern for the rest of the league.
The Spurs’ coaching staff seems to have recognized Wembanyama’s comfort on the perimeter, allowing him to play to his strengths. This approach not only benefits Wembanyama but also enhances the team’s overall performance. As he continues to develop his post game and off-the-ball play, his offensive arsenal will only become more formidable.
Wembanyama’s potential is undeniable, and his recent performance is a promising sign of what’s to come. However, the true test will be his ability to replicate such performances against tougher competition, like the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. If he can rise to the occasion against these teams, it will solidify his status as a future star in the league.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Wembanyama’s journey and the Spurs’ season, tune into the Locked On Spurs podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Spurs Podcast:
- Analysis of the Spurs’ upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers
- Discussion on the impact of the Spurs’ defense and its role in recent games
- Insights into the Spurs’ offensive strategies and areas for improvement
- Updates on the Spurs’ roster and player performances
I held off on writing about the apparent rash, or rise, of early-season athlete injuries because there’s always some recency bias involved when the subject comes up. Are there really more injuries this year than any other? Do we have the data to support it? Is there a new, underlying cause? Or are injuries due to the same compounding mix of bad luck and the NBA’s 82-game schedule running into a long postseason, running into the offseason, running back into a brand new long regular season and the erosion of bodies this eventually leads to?
A report early this week showed early-season injuries were up 35%, and indeed ESPN’s list of injuries, at a glance, looks like a ferocious Christmas tree, lit up in blazing reds and yellows. A handful of teams (the Grizzlies, Pelicans, Raptors) are cobbling together rosters game-to-game depending on who’s still healthy. TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott ran a draft of the injured list this week and each team reads like an All-Star squad on steroids, and when Abbott printed out the league’s official injury report it was 10 pages long.
Injuries are definitely up — but why?
The Paris Olympics proved extra playing time for a few top-tier stars, but most of them remain healthy. The early season schedule hasn’t served up any more back-to-backs to longer road game stretches, which tend to be more gruelling on athletes, than usual. However, when everything appears to be normal and the bodily price is anything but, perhaps it’s time to examine that “normal”.
The NBA’s current schedule of 82 games was adopted in 1967. Already, I’m sure your brain is picturing black and white basketball, that’s good. When you picture that grainy, glitchy footage, how fast is it going? The reality is that the game used to be a lot slower. Not just in its mechanics (think of an offensive passing sequence, the ball flipping from set of hands to hands at a speed that can be hard to follow), but the athleticism too. Bodies were moving slower. The game was still physical — the trope of players from the 80s and 90s complaining about the “softness” of current athletes is a trope for a reason — but full tilt sprinting, cutting, complex rotations, these weren’t the norm. Given that, the bodily mechanics were different. Guys weren’t stopping on a dime, pivoting hard, having to force their ligaments and muscles and bones into exacting motions with all sorts of volatile force behind them.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Analysis A few weeks into the season, and there have been some surprises. The Athletic looks at eight players to get to know better. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Honor Ty Lue showers Victor Wembanyama with praise, calling the Spurs rookie a game-changer. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Spurs host the Lakers in the group stage of the NBA Cup. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Replay: Navigating the injury bug
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
This week in the fantasy basketball world has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. A major talking point has been Chet Holmgren’s unfortunate injury, which has fantasy managers scrambling for replacements as the Oklahoma City Thunder adjust with potential lineup changes. Keep an eye on players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace — who might see increased minutes — and consider them as temporary pickups in deeper leagues.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Spurs podcasts.
Spotlight: San Antonio Spurs’ interim head coach Mitch Johnson The San Antonio Spurs are navigating a pivotal moment with Mitch Johnson at the helm as interim head coach in Gregg Popovich’s absence.
With a .500 record under his belt, Johnson’s calm demeanor and strong player relationships, especially with veterans like Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, are making waves.
San Antonio Spurs early surprises + Wizards game preview The San Antonio Spurs are turning heads this season with unexpected performances from players like Julian Champagnie and Chris Paul. Are the Spurs poised for a standout year in the NBA?
Stephon Castle is exceeding San Antonio Spurs’ expectations The San Antonio Spurs are witnessing a promising start from rookie Steph Castle, whose scoring and defensive prowess turn heads in the NBA. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama faces early offensive hurdles, grappling with shooting challenges and adapting to NBA defenses.
