Spurs must unleash massive fix for Victor Wembanyama flaw to crush Knicks

The Spurs are down 0-2 against the New York Knicks and have seen Wembanyama's inability to set screens come back to bite them. He simply doesn't set good screens, with even his best picks looking more like he's trying to slip them.

In fact, in Game 2, he rightfully got called for an offensive foul in the fourth quarter for shoving Jalen Brunson while attempting to set a pick. He does that often, extending his arms and pushing opponents out of position rather than standing firm and using his body.

It's a simple but distinct difference that's costing San Antonio dearly against the Knicks.

Victor Wembanyama is hurting the Spurs with bad screen setting

If Wembanyama were to simply set better screens on Brunson, San Antonio could exploit him time and time again. Instead, De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper are essentially left to create separation for themselves.

Fox has struggled this series partly as a result of him being unable to get separation when defended by Mikal Bridges. Unfortunately, San Antonio doesn't have many alternatives.

Ironically, San Antonio's best screen setter, Luke Kornet, has been a negative when he's been on the court.

Through the first two games of the series, he has a negative 14 plus/minus, with the margin of those losses being just 11 points. Not only is a lack of good screen setting affecting San Antonio's guard play, but it's affecting Wembanyama's offense too.

Victor Wembanyama must become a better screen setter overnight

Wembanyama setting better screens would make him far more effective rolling to the rim. In his defense, the Knicks have taken away his rolls to the rim.

Even so, setting better picks would force either Karl-Anthony Towns or Mitchell Robinson to slide off him to contain the drive, leaving a path for Wembanyama to roll. The last play of Game 2 was a perfect example.

Had Wembanyama set a harder pick, he would have forced Robinson to slide over to contain Fox. In turn, it would have allowed Wemby to get closer to the basket before receiving the ball.

Ironically, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and Julian Champagnie are probably better at setting screens. At least they make contact with a Knicks player, helping their teammates create separation.

The fact that it's been three years and Wembanyama is no better at setting picks than when he was drafted is a major concern. If he were simply better in that area, it could make him a more potent pick-and-pop threat as well as a lethal roll man.

Let's hope that screen setting improves. Otherwise, it could be a short series for the Spurs against the Knicks.

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