Could it be that the NBA is finally getting San Antonio Spurs' star Victor Wembanyama's number? Is it possible he just played two sub-par games and will continue to get better and stronger as the season goes forward? Either way, Wembanyama does not appear to be worried. He is ready to call next.
Statistically speaking, Victor Wembanyama had a game that many professionals would like to have Wednesday night. He had 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists before fouling out in the fourth quarter of the Spurs' loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
It was the second consecutive game that Wembanyama had a non-Wembanyama like performance. In a loss to the Phoenix Suns Sunday, the Frenchman was limited to nine points, nine rebounds and two assists. He had four blocks.
"It feels like teams are very prepared to defend us," Wembanyama said. "We prepare as well, but we need to face this kind of defense and figure it out. This will make us much better in the long run."
After committing zero offensive fouls during the Spurs’ first four games, Wembanyama has been called for six in the past three. Half of them came in Wednesday’s game alone. Thus, Wembanyama was in foul trouble and could not do his usual antics.
Teams are noticing that the Spurs started the season 5-0, before dropping their last two games to the Suns and the Lakers. They are paying particular attention to Wembanyama and looking to see how they could tame the beast.
“Right now, it feels like the game is going fast, somehow,” Wembanyama said to reporters Wednesday night. “As we get better as a team, and as we got better individually, it feels like the opponents have stepped up in some ways defensively.”
Wembanyama has ripped through NBA defenses through the first five games of the season, all Spurs victories. He averaged 30.2 points, 14.6 rebounds and 4.8 blocks. The winning makeup has clearly been missing over the last two games.
“There’s no worry, really. It’s just trying to figure out what’s best,” Wembanyama said Wednesday night. “There are obviously things we can correct right away. It is like the game is going faster. We’re going to catch up on it, of course, but it’s on us to see how quick.”
Wembanyama said in moments like this players can either learn from it and get better, or accept it and stay stagnant. He prefers to get better.
"In these moments you have to give the best face for your teammates and see what really matters. We have no time to worry about it," Wembanyama said. "I need to watch film and study the game and it is easier said than done, but it comes with maturity and experience.
"Personally, I haven't seen this type of defense from teams. We have to adapt and play better."