NBA Standings by team blocks per game: Wemby propelling the Spurs alone

The old-school NBA fan clamors for the type of game that harkens back to their heydays when they were younger—more defense, physicality, and bad blood. The current NBA game has obviously evolved from the days of the nineties, but there are still some elements of that era that remain.

One of those elements is blocked shots, and the Spurs have a player who is single-handedly making blocks an exciting aspect of the game once again. 'What’s old is new again' is how the saying goes.

As of December 2, the Silver and Black, as a team, are tied for third in the NBA in blocks per game at 6.6. The Grizzlies lead at 7.2. Victor Wembanyama averages 3.5 blocks per game, nearly half the team's average.

Wemby nearly averages more blocks per game than Miami's entire team

The Miami Heat are last in the NBA in this stat. They only average 3.7 blocks per game, making Vic's numbers even more impressive. He probably exceeds a few teams' block totals if he doesn't miss a few games due to the knee contusion he suffered against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wembanyama is blocking shots at a rate that harkens back to the mid-nineties NBA. Players like Dikembe Mutombo, Patrick Ewing, and Shaquille O’Neal come to mind when talking about numbers. We won’t mention that guy in Houston who was pretty good in the nineties himself.

The French phenom is only getting better too. He still doesn’t entirely understand positioning and angles on the defensive end, but it's clear other teams fear him. When he starts to completely understand those aspects, as well as harnessing his nearly 7’5” frame, opposing teams won’t have opportunities in the paint. That’ll lead to more chances for the Spurs to impose their will.

The core of the Spurs has an opportunity over the next several years to establish themselves as the premier defensive team in the league; maybe they'll even compete with some legendary all-time defensive teams.

They have the rim protector in Wembanyama, who will average four blocks per game soon, and likely five blocks per game shortly after that. They’ve got the perimeter defender in Stephon Castle, the rookie from UConn who is quickly establishing himself in the NBA on defense. They’ve got a wing defender in Julian Champagnie who can guard multiple positions.

If team numbers like blocks per game are any indication, the Spurs' defense as a unit will be a force to be reckoned with both now and in the future.