As the 2024-25 NBA season takes off, all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs' remarkable talent. Standing out not just for his towering height, Wembanyama is stepping into the challenging world of professional basketball with the promise of becoming one of its brightest stars. However, his early season shooting performance suggests there’s still a mountain to climb.
Challenging Start for Wembanyama
In his first three games, Wembanyama’s shooting statistics reveal a struggle to find his rhythm. Converting only six of his 24 jump shots, and missing 14 out of 18 three-point attempts, his start has been shaky at best. This performance can be contrasted with his post-All-Star break statistics from last season, where he improved, making 31% of his jump shots and 33% of his three-point attempts. Despite this modest improvement towards the end of last season, the current numbers suggest more work needs to be done.
Addressing his performance, Wembanyama stated, "The conditioning is not an excuse. For the missed shots ... it's just taking shots in rhythm. That's the most important for me. I think I'm comfortable in every area of the floor to shoot, but at the same time, if I'm not in rhythm, any area of the floor I'll miss." His words reflect a self-awareness and a determination to enhance his game, underscoring the mental aspect of shooting in professional basketball.
Preseason and International Experience
The young Frenchman had limited participation in two of the Spurs’ five preseason games, which might have contributed to his slow start. Moreover, his international experience, leading the French national team to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, offers a glimpse of his potential under pressure, though his three-point shooting percentage was 28% during the event.
Victor Wembanyama's journey presents a fascinating narrative within the dynamic framework of the NBA—where talent often meets the crucible of adaptation.
Three-Point Trends Across the League
This season, the league has seen an uptick in three-point attempts, with nine teams consistently firing over 40 shots per game from beyond the arc. Last season, the Boston Celtics set a benchmark with an average of 42.5 three-point attempts per game, illustrating the evolving nature of the sport where long-distance shooting is becoming increasingly significant.
Players like Anthony Edwards exemplify this trend. He has notably doubled his three-point attempts from 6.7 to over 13 per game this season, while maintaining a remarkable 41.5% conversion rate. This shift highlights Edwards' adaptability and underlines the league's broader trend towards a more perimeter-oriented style.
Consistency in Veterans: Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns, a seasoned pro known for his proficiency from beyond the arc, continues to maintain consistency even as his overall shot attempts have decreased from 15.3 to 9.3 per game this season. Impressively, Towns has hit 66% of his three-point attempts across six shots in three games, remaining a crucial weapon for his team. His career 40% success rate from the three-point line speaks volumes about his role as a reliable shooter in the league.
Jalen Brunson’s quote resonates within this context: "It's on me as a teammate to make sure we're all on the same page and that everyone's eating. I've got to be better when it comes to that. I've got to adjust, and I've got to see [Towns]." The quote emphasizes the importance of team dynamics and adjustment to support standout shooters like Towns.
The NBA is a league of ebbs and flows, a constantly shifting landscape as players adapt, evolve, and redefine the boundaries of possibility. With Victor Wembanyama working through early challenges and veterans like Towns showcasing steady excellence, the narrative of the season promises to captivate fans and analysts alike.