NBA Rookies: Victor Wembanyama's Superiority on Display Again Versus Brooklyn
Victor Wembanyama has already long exceeded his rookie expectations this season.
Coming in and being hailed as potentially one of the next best players in our era, he had a lot to live up to. But he certainly hasn't let that bother him, as it's noticeable how he moves under the limelight while also having one of the best rookie seasons in NBA history.
He's meticulous in his craft and remains unbothered while being a 7-foot-4 two-way impactor whose presence is felt no matter where he is on the floor. It's nothing this league has seen before from a player his size with this refined of a skill set at only 19 years old.
In a less-than-ideal situation, some might say, Wembanyama has made his landing in San Antonio arguably the most advantageous spot. A Hall-of-Fame coach in Gregg Popovich along with several young, budding teammates competing in a small market and developing in each passing game, he's had a great situation carved out for him – which has helped him reach the feats he has this season.
Five-by-five stat lines, reigning as the heavy Rookie of the Year favorite, dropping 30-plus point scoring performances and with some just outright silly plays for a 7-foot-4 point center.
His rookie season is coming to a close, and with San Antonio surely missing out on postseason play sitting dead last in the West, these final 14 games will still be of importance for Wembanyama.
He's not letting the lack of postseason opportunity deter the rest of his season – as no one would expect him to with his high, competitive motor. That was shown on Sunday, where he and the Spurs were able to clinch an overtime victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Scoring 33 points on 14-for-26 from the field with 15 rebounds – four on the offensive – seven assists and an absurd seven blocks, the sheer impact he has on a game is reflected in the stat sheet – but it can also never be a true tangible benchmark, as his presence extends beyond anything that can be recorded.
Within the 14 games left of his rookie campaign, he has to matchup with the Thunder's Chet Holmgren while having the Nuggets' Nikola Jokic and the Suns' Jusuf Nurkic twice to finish out the season.
It'll be another stretch for Wembanyama to improve upon a potentially legendary rookie season, as he sets his focus to next year in hopes to catapult the Spurs to a postseason bid.
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