Victor Wembanyama did one thing as a rookie that Kevin Garnett had by no means seen earlier than, and it left him in awe.
Wembanyama was a highly-regarded prospect as a rookie. He’s anticipated to in the future change into a generational expertise with the San Antonio Spurs, and confirmed precisely why in his rookie season.
The Frenchman averaged 3.6 blocks per recreation in his first NBA season, resulting in discussions about whether or not he may win Defensive Participant of the 12 months. But it surely was one thing Wembanyama did on offense that left Garnett in awe.
In his rookie season enjoying towards the Memphis Grizzlies, Wembanyama made a play that amazed the previous MVP, Garnett. Driving on Trey Jemison, he pulled off a Shammgod within the put up, earlier than hitting a spin transfer and ending for a layup.
Afterwards, on KG Licensed’s social media, Garnett stated, “Not solely to Shammgod a n—-a that’s 7’4″ or the identical dimension as you, however to Shammgod a n—a from the put up?
“That was the craziest s–t I’ve ever seen an enormous n—a do, yo. Yo, that the n—a was within the m———g put up and he Shammgoded n—a… This transfer of the yr, y’all.”
The phrase will get thrown across the league, however Wembanyama is a real unicorn. His ball-handling capability, capturing, and defensive prowess are one thing we’ve got by no means seen within the NBA.
Wembanyama impressed individually in his first two NBA seasons, regardless of his second getting lower brief as a result of deep vein thrombosis in his proper shoulder. However his workforce has final season’s Rookie of the 12 months, Stephon Fort, and the quantity two choose, Dylan Harper. It’s time to win some video games for Wembanyama.
Wembanyama is dedicated to self-improvement. He labored with Garnett this offseason so as to be taught from the Boston Celtics legend.
Wembanyama can be taught rather a lot from Garnett, who skilled related struggles as a rookie. He didn’t have the identical expertise as Wembanyama. Nevertheless, Garnett was drafted right into a tough state of affairs and turned his workforce round.
Coming off the bench, Garnett received 26 video games as a rookie, then 40 wins in his second season, making the postseason. The Spurs have been additionally on observe to compete for the play-in earlier than Wembanyama’s damage in his second yr.
In his third season, Garnett made the playoffs with 45 wins within the Western Convention. He averaged 18.5 factors and 9.6 rebounds, and proved he can lead a workforce to a profitable season. He was primarily a defensive participant, however had developed on the opposite finish early in his profession.
Now, it’s time for Wembanyama to do the identical. He’s already proven himself to be a better expertise than Garnett by way of two seasons, however he has rather a lot to show. Can he rank among the many NBA’s elite on offense, and might he lead the Spurs to a profitable yr?
Wembanyama could be hard-pressed to discover a participant who understands his circumstances higher than Garnett. If he can lean on his knowledge, this might be a breakout season.
