Talk about impressive. 50 points in 27 minutes. This is the FASTEST 50-point performance in any NBA history.
Victor Wembanyama took 29 shots and made 18. Yes, it may have come against a lottery-bound team, but this is the third consecutive game from him which has caught my eye, especially in terms of his shot diet and overall offensive profile.
However, one key aspect stood out - Victor Wembanyama shooting 8 of 16 from 3 showcases true stretch-five potential. He has been on a tear lately, making 20 threes over the course of the past three games. He is shooting 40% from three this month so far as a 7'4" center. Although the percentages may not indicate nor highlight it, based on what he shot last year in San Antonio as a rookie and in the Olympics playing for France, Victor Wembanyama is a true two-way stretch-five. He should continue playing center (that is his natural position), but he is a perimeter big who ultimately maneuvers the threat of his jumpshot to bend defenses and also get to the rim whenever possible when defenses fall for his pump fakes and over-commit on him. He plays outside-in, rather than inside-out, if you watch him.
The combination of his finishing and three-point shooting is integral for who he is as a player. One cannot exist without the other to maximize Victor Wembanyama. Both aspects are integral to get the unlock him in any given game, such as his performance tonight. He has a natural shooting stroke:
San Antonio should be cooking with gas this offseason. Following the 2025 NBA Draft, if he continues playing like he has with performances such as these, the Spurs are well-served pursuing a high-impact player and/or acquiring a star for Victor Wembanyama to pair up with.
With all of this said, seeing his shot diet, offensive profile, and the overall type of player that he is from a playstyle standpoint, which high impact player or superstar/star best suits Victor Wembanyama?