SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama is a dominant lob threat.
In other news, the sun is expected to rise in the east and set in the west. Also, is water wet? The experts have reached a unanimous consensus that will probably not shock you.
No but really though, the Spurs rookie is already one of the best at ooping the alley, and it's not just because he's gigantic.
In his NBA debut, Gregg Popovich ran a play to set Wemby up in the post. A sharp local reporter recognized the set as Milwaukee, an old LaMarcus Aldridge favorite that often resulted in an easy oop. That wise, handsome reporter foretold that very soon the Spurs would nail the timing and exploit the wrinkle for Wembanyama, who is the perfect player to execute it. In my unbiased opinion it was a really cool story and you should go check it out.
The prophecy was fulfilled about a week later against the Phoenix Suns. Wemby handed it off to Tre Jones at the top of the arc, delayed a second, and rolled past a screen by Zach Collins. Jones served it on a platter, and Wemby devoured it. It was easy money, and it will be for as long as he plays basketball.
At 7'4" with an 8-foot wingspan his catch radius is insane and he's a dunking cheat code, but it goes well beyond that. He shows skill and athleticism you don't see from guys his size, and wisdom you don't see from teenagers. He shouldn't be able to dribble into threes like a shifty veteran guard, but here he is doing it. He had 38 points in this road win.
Watch the full film breakdown here.
Wembanyama can run spread pick and roll and launch an unblockable three, or fake the shot, pass back to the guard and point to the sky as he darts to the paint and launches himself rimward. Grayson Allen knew he could only contest the triple by lunging at the ball down low. The instant he did Wemby read it perfectly and initiated a diabolical give and go with Malaki Branham, who lobbed it up immediately.
If Wembanyama can get any sort of size advantage (ha) and positioning within 5 feet of the basket it's generally a good idea to just toss it up to him. To paraphrase Keldon Johnson after he figured it out, 'that mamma jamma's rolling.'
A few possessions later Wemby got positioning on Devin Booker. Jeremy Sochan looked at the post entry pass from the wing, then dished to Jones at the top who lobbed it up to Wembanyma for an easy jam. Except it was actually quite difficult.
The rookie leapt with his whole body facing Jones at the arc. As he caught it high, he tilted his head backward and located the rim, his nose brushing past the net as he gently placed the ball inside.
He demonstrates tremendous control of his tremendous body, and that's what makes him so special at finishing lobs and, well, everything else on a basketball court.