The 2024-25 NBA season is underway, and all eyes are on the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, a promising talent aiming to make his mark in the league. Wembanyama's performance has been closely watched, especially considering his recent track record on the court.
A Shaky Start for Wembanyama
In the early days of the season, Wembanyama has struggled to find his shooting rhythm. He successfully converted only six of his 24 jump shots in the first three games, while his three-point shooting has been similarly challenging; he missed 14 of 18 attempts. Reflecting on his shooting woes, Wembanyama stated, "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."
Comparing his current performance to the previous season, Wembanyama had earlier displayed a slightly better shooting percentage post-All-Star break, making 31% of his jump shots and 33% of his three-point attempts. This indicates his potential, though it also underscores the need for improvement and consistency in his game.
Preseason and International Highlights
Wembanyama also had limited involvement in two of the Spurs' five preseason games, a factor that might have influenced his initial season form. However, his international exploits offer a glimpse of his capabilities. Leading the French national team to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Wembanyama’s three-point shooting was at 28% during this period. While not outstanding, these experiences add value to his developmental journey as a player.
The NBA's Emphasis on the Three-Point Game
This season, the NBA has seen a noticeable increase in three-point shooting across the board. Nine teams are averaging over 40 long-distance shots per game. The Boston Celtics epitomized this trend last season, averaging 42.5 three-point attempts per game, demonstrating the growing reliance on perimeter shooting in modern basketball.
Edwards and Towns Thriving Behind the Arc
Amidst the league-wide three-point revolution, players like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are setting benchmarks. Edwards has rocketed his three-point attempts from 6.7 last season to over 13 per game, converting 41.5% of those attempts, showcasing his growth as a shooter. Meanwhile, Towns has been nothing short of efficient this season, hitting 66% of his three-point attempts on six attempts in three games, building on his career 40% success rate from beyond the arc. "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]," remarked Jalen Brunson, acknowledging the importance of teamwork in maximizing such sharpshooting talents.
Despite these individual successes, Towns' overall shot attempts have seen a decline from an average of 15.3 to 9.3 per game, indicating a more selective and perhaps strategic approach to his offense. This shift may reflect a broader team strategy or an adaptation to the evolving dynamics of their gameplay.
As the season progresses, how players like Wembanyama, Edwards, and Towns continue to adjust and evolve will be critical in shaping their teams' trajectories. The emphasis on rhythm, precision, and teamwork remains a defining theme in the NBA landscape, as players strive to adapt to the ever-increasing demands of modern basketball.