Victor Wembanyama entered the NBA to a degree of fanfare not seen since LeBron James. The San Antonio Spurs rookie has the expectations of a complete fan base on his shoulders.
At 7-foot-4 with a fringe soar shot and the dribbling abilities of a guard, Wembanyama was anticipated to hit the bottom working. Nonetheless, over the primary quarter of the season, the rookie has had his fair proportion of ups and downs.
Throughout a latest postgame press convention, Los Angeles Lakers champion Anthony Davis was requested about Wembanyama’s season to date. Davis, a former first total decide himself, provided some words of wisdom for the 19-year-old phenom.
“You’ve simply received to go in and simply play, discover your means,” Davis mentioned. “You’re going to have ups and downs within the season. Clearly, he’s an distinctive expertise. However don’t stress your self out over the strain from everybody else…You’ve received to know what your group desires from you. And don’t suppose that you need to flip the franchise round in a single yr.”
Wembanyama has performed 21 video games within the NBA. He is averaging 18.8 factors, 10.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals and a couple of.8 blocks whereas capturing 43.1% from the sphere and 25% from three-point vary. Nonetheless, the rookie large man has been unable to stop a 17-game dropping streak (and counting) because the Spurs proceed to seek for a successful method with their present crop of expertise.
Nonetheless, San Antonio’s shortcomings cannot be held towards Wembanyama. Till this season, he was enjoying basketball within the French skilled leagues. The step up in athleticism, expertise and physicality was all the time going to make sure a steep studying curve for the spectacular rookie.
Wembanyama can be smart to heed Davis’ recommendation. Specializing in the long run whereas incrementally bettering his sport is the perfect path ahead. After all, that is simpler mentioned than achieved. Wembanyama will seemingly really feel the strain and can wish to assist his group snap its wretched run.
Studying to cope with that strain whereas nonetheless specializing in what you may management and how one can enhance shall be one in every of Wembanyama’s greatest classes from his debut season within the NBA.