The 2024-25 NBA season has begun with a spotlight on Victor Wembanyama, the towering young star of the San Antonio Spurs, whose performance has already ignited discussions among basketball enthusiasts and analysts. The French phenom's early-season shooting struggles have drawn attention, especially given his pivotal role in leading France to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics—a showcase of his immense potential but also a stage where he faced shooting challenges.
Early Struggles and Adjustments
In the first three games of the current season, Wembanyama's statistics have been a mixed bag. He's managed to convert just six out of 24 jump shots, raising questions about his shooting consistency. Additionally, his three-point attempts tell a similar story, with 14 misses out of 18 attempts. These numbers starkly contrast with his post-All-Star break performance last season, where he made 31% of his jump shots and 33% of his three-point attempts. The decline has sparked conversations about the pressures and expectations that come with his burgeoning profile in the NBA.
Wembanyama, who had limited participation in two of the Spurs' five preseason games, has acknowledged the challenges he's facing. "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," he reflected, pointing to rhythm as a critical factor in his shooting performance.
Expanding the Scope: Shooting Trends Across the League
Wembanyama's early challenges are reflective of a broader narrative in the league, where three-point shooting continues to be a focal point for many teams. This season, nine NBA squads are consistently attempting over 40 three-point shots per game, underlining a strategic emphasis on long-range shooting. The Boston Celtics, for example, led the previous season with an average of 42.5 three-point attempts per game, a testament to the league’s evolving style of play.
Individual players have also embraced the three-point revolution. Anthony Edwards' current numbers are a perfect illustration; he's increased his attempts from 6.7 to over 13 per game this season, while remarkably converting 41.5% of those tries. In contrast, Karl-Anthony Towns, revered for a career 40% three-point success rate, has hit a staggering 66% of his long-range shots on an average of six attempts per game this season. Yet, Towns’ overall shot attempts have seen a reduction from 15.3 to 9.3 per game, suggesting a strategic emphasis on shot selection rather than volume.
Team Dynamics and Leadership
Amid these personal performances, the team dynamics in the NBA continue to thrive. Players are not only expected to perform individually but to contribute to the team’s overall success. Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks shared insights on the importance of team synergy. “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],” Brunson remarked, emphasizing the role of leadership and collaboration in the fast-paced environment of the league.
As the season progresses, all eyes will remain not only on individual performances but also on how these athletes integrate into broader team strategies. For rising stars like Wembanyama, the journey is as much about adapting to personal challenges as it is about fitting into the evolving frameworks of their teams. The early part of the season is just the beginning, and while Wembanyama's numbers suggest there's work to be done, his talent and determination could well script an inspiring turnaround story. As always, the NBA promises a season filled with compelling narratives, where the personal and the collective collide in pursuit of triumph on the court.