Latest Wemby feat establishes new NBA record as Spurs wrangle Nets in Brooklyn

The Spurs got themselves back in the win column, shaking off the stench of two disappointing losses to the Knicks and 76ers. The Silver and Black bounced back from an egregiously slow start that saw them finish the first quarter with 11 points—their lowest scoring total in any quarter this season—and beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-87.

It was a weird night to start. San Antonio's energy was poor, and it led to an early 11-point deficit. After they righted the ship and took the lead, the Spurs never relinquished it. Victor Wembanyama led the team with 19 points, and though his scoring was lower than it had been during his recent hot-shooting stretch, he was 50% from the field and set another record in the process.

Breaking records has become common for Wembanyama

It seems like every other night, Vic is forcing statisticians to work hard and dig deep. Tracking what he's doing in comparison to what has happened throughout the history of the league is hard work, but somebody has to do it. That's why there is always something to talk about with the Alien, and it's why nobody was overselling his ability before he joined the NBA.

His ability to touch every aspect of the game is uncanny and should be celebrated every chance we get. His existence is the culmination of an ever-evolving league. Wembamyama is the living version of the NBA2K-created player you or your child has been making for years—a ridiculously tall hooper with unparalleled athleticism who can shoot, dribble, guard the perimeter, and block shots.

An athlete like this should not exist, yet here we are. He plays basketball for the San Antonio Spurs—the perfect franchise for such a player. His expectations coming in were through the roof, so he needed to be in a place that would help him keep his goals in perspective. He wants everything the game has to offer, and his work ethic suggests that he deserves it, but it will take time.

While the organization builds up the roster around him, they're enabling him to be himself despite the constant calls to pigeonhole him into a playstyle he doesn't need to acquiesce to. Some fans and analysts are so conditioned to the old ways that they believe they know how everyone should play based on their measurables. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Michael Jordan was criticized as a "gunner" in his early years, Kobe Bryant was labeled as selfish, while LeBron James was told he wasn't selfish enough. Dirk Nowitzki was labeled as soft, and Steph Curry was told he couldn't win by shooting threes. Here's the secret that nobody wants to admit: all-time great players can do whatever they want because they're great enough to make it work. Period.

Imagine someone as talented as Victor Wembanyama trying to play like Luis Scola. There's nothing special about that. There is everything special about the Alien, and he continues to show that every time he steps on the court.