How the Spurs are setting Victor Wembanyama up for success on offense

The coaching staff is finding better ways to give Wemby the ball in a position to score and the big man is hesitating less before attacking.

Victor Wembanyama didn’t play much in preseason or post eye-popping numbers, but still managed to look unstoppable at times. His performance in the Olympics combined with the flashes he showed in the exhibition games are enough to bring optimism about an incoming leap, especially on offense.

A specific play in the matchup against the Heat that isn’t new but should probably be used more showcased how unstoppable Victor can be when he gets the ball at the right spot and is in attack mode, and resulted in the following conversation between J.R. Wilco and me.

J.R. Wilco: This is the play I was geeking about last night.

Jesus Gomez: Oh, that was filthy. When he catches the ball inside the arc he’s a beast.

Wilco: My point exactly! I say you can center a whole offense around this type of action because by the time he has the ball there, the D is cooked.

That play is something they hardly EVER did last season. Which is exhibit A in the prosecution’s case that San Antonio was playing to lose last season and has a shot at being far better this year than anyone would think if they’re sure last season’s record is actually representative of how good that team was.

The Duncan Robinsons of the league have NO CHANCE of stopping Wemby on that play. And who else will be guarding Champers (Julian Champagnie) when he sets that screen for Vic? Most teams will switch, which is death in this scenario. And if they both stay with Wemby, hit Julian in the corner for an open 3.

Gomez: The two potential issues with trying to get Wemby going from those spots are teams putting their center on Sochan and doubling Wemby before he even gets the ball and Wemby sometimes still holding the ball a second too long and not being the best passer yet. But yeah, sometimes you see flashes of Wemby being unstoppable as an offensive hub in his second year, which is insane.

Wilco: Let say they’re guarding Vic with a more mobile defender with their center on Jeremy. This play still works. If you double him early, Paul has the ball and can finesse a 4-on-3 or a 3-on-2 elsewhere, can’t he?

Gomez: Right. But this play worked so well because Wemby attacked immediately. He needs to do that more often. There was another play from the same game in which he also went right to the bucket which shows how being decisive makes him a lot more dangerous.

Wilco: I’m having a hard time deciding what I like most about this second play. There are so many things to choose from: the way the team is focused on getting Vic the ball, the way Castle doesn’t try to force it as the heat face guard him while the defense recovers, the way Wemby runs to a spot to receive the ball which forces Love to move to stay in contact with him, the quick little fake left before he drives right, and just how easy that finish is, even though the angle of his drive is headed away from the basket. But you’re the one that chose this play— what are you seeing?

Gomez; Patience and decisiveness from the guards and Wemby. The first video shows a bucket coming from a set play but sometimes a second action is needed to get a good look. The pick-and-roll on the secondary break was well-defended but as the Heat players rotate and go back to their men, Wemby sees the opportunity to flash into the paint and does it. And because the Spurs now have more playmakers, he gets rewarded for it. It’s the type of sequence that builds good habits and will hopefully lead to Wemby moving more without the ball attacking with zero hesitation when he does get it in a position to score.

Wilco: That is exactly what I see that’s changed in this preseason from last season. That’s 100% something he’s been coached on over the summer. Gotta go immediately. In both cases, it’s made a lot easier for him because the defense is in the middle of switching and communicating and recovering when the ball is delivered to him — something Paul is an expert at and Tre Jones can do as well.

Gomez: Yeah. If he attacks immediately after catching the ball inside the arc with a little room, even if there are defenders in the paint he’s probably getting fouled.

Wilco: And if it’s immediate, and the defense reacts/overreacts/converges on him, then there will also be plenty of open teammates to pass to — something we know Vic doesn’t shy away from.

Gomez: Yeah. But first, be selfish and look for your shot. No hesitation, no jab steps. Attack mode.

Wilco: Yes, please! From your lips to Pop’s and Wemby’s ears!