Victor Wembanyama's Shooting Struggles in Early 2024-25 NBA Season
As the 2024-25 NBA season commences, all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama, the towering young talent for the San Antonio Spurs. Despite high expectations, Wembanyama's offensive performance in the initial games has not met his lofty potential. In the first three matchups, he converted only six of his 24 jump shots, casting a shadow on what promises to be a crucial season for the aspiring basketball star.
The shooting woes extend beyond the arc, where Wembanyama missed 14 of his 18 three-point attempts. This early season slump is reminiscent of his struggles post-All-Star break last season, during which he managed to hit just 31% of his jump shots and 33% of his three-point attempts. It appears his search for rhythm in the new campaign is ongoing.
Despite the challenges, Wembanyama remains unfazed. "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 shared with reporters, addressing his shooting form and confidence on the court.
Wembanyama's Olympic Journey and Preseason Participation
The offseason offered significant international experience for Wembanyama, who led the French national team to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. However, his three-point shooting there reflected similar inconsistencies, landing at 28%. Furthermore, his limited participation in the Spurs' preseason games – featuring in only two out of five – likely impacted his integration and form as he entered the season.
League-Wide Trends in Three-Point Shooting
As Wembanyama works through his shooting challenges, the NBA at large edges further into the era of the three-point revolution. This season, nine teams are regularly launching more than 40 three-point attempts per game. Last year, the Boston Celtics set a high bar with an average of 42.5 three-point attempts per contest. These figures underscore a league increasingly reliant on long-range accuracy, highlighting areas of potential growth for Wembanyama.
Anthony Edwards is a compelling example of this trend. Elevating his average from 6.7 three-point attempts per game to over 13 this season, Edwards has emerged as a perimeter threat, converting at a robust 41.5% rate. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns continues to bolster his reputation, with a career success rate of 40% from beyond the arc. This season, he's notably efficient, making 66% of his three-point attempts on six shots over three games, even as his overall shot attempts decrease from 15.3 to 9.3 per game.
A Call for Team Cohesion
The Spurs’ player dynamics hold potential for growth, as highlighted by Jalen Brunson, who emphasized the importance of team cohesion. "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 commented, stressing the need for collective focus and collaboration among teammates as key to overcoming individual setbacks.
Amidst the early season fluctuations, Wembanyama's journey epitomizes the challenges and opportunities facing young players in integrating their skill set into the high-caliber competitive landscape of the NBA. His performance thus far may not fully reflect his potential, but the blend of raw talent, international experience, and a burgeoning understanding of team dynamics lays a foundation for growth.
The early struggles serve as a reminder of the NBA's exacting nature and the vital role of adaptation and perseverance. With the season in its nascency and ample time for adjustments, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs have an ongoing opportunity to recalibrate, with aspirations that glimpses of form will soon turn into consistent production, fitting of his remarkable capabilities.