LATEST: Fearsome Rookie Wall and Victor Wembanyama

Everyone in the Spurs organization has suffered as a result of the rodeo road trip, including rookie star Victor Wembanyama. His play has declined in February after dominating in January with game averages of 24 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks. He now leads the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks per game with 17.8. Regrettably, the group is also battling a seven-game losing run. Recently, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express News wrote an engaging piece delving into these challenges.

It’s a brilliant analogy to draw a comparison between Wemby and the main character in the most recent Stephen King book that the rookie is reading. The analogy is appropriate as both people are completing difficult missions. But it was a specific statistic in Orsborn’s article that drew my eye.

After grabbing only one rebound in a 127-111 loss at Orlando last Thursday, Wembanyama concluded last Saturday’s 123-103 loss at Brooklyn with just four. He was shut out in every category for the first time in a half against the Nets in the first half, failing to grab a rebound, dish out an assist, steal a basket, or block a shot.

Wemby is a brilliant player, and we have seen it both with and without the ball. His influence extends beyond only making baskets. But at halftime of his most recent game, played in Brooklyn, he had zeros in every categories—rebounds, assists, thefts, and blocks.

This could mean that Victor is approaching the dreaded rookie wall. His performance may be suffering as a result of the demanding road trip and his excessive workload during the season. The hectic schedule of the road trip, together with difficulties recuperating and sleeping, can be a factor in this depression.

The 20-year-old may be carrying a heavy load from the Spurs, which would make him the most productive rookie in history. However, he has generally risen to the challenge. The team’s next game, a Monday night matchup against the Toronto Raptors, is a prime opportunity for the rookie to get better and find his groove again as the road trip heads north.

The rookie has improved his three-point shooting significantly while going through a difficult time. The remainder of the league may be seriously threatened if he can continue to smash the deep ball at a rate in the mid-30s.

His willingness to try shots like these shows how confident he is becoming outside of the arc:

Watching films of the Frenchman warming up is always a joy; his handles are amazing for a player of his height.

Finding out that Wemby enjoys playing chess wouldn’t be shocking given his skill set.