Victor Wembanyama problem the Spurs must fix before the playoffs

In their last 16 games, the San Antonio Spurs hold just an 8-8 record. In that same time frame, Victor Wembanyama has spent a lot of time operating on the perimeter, shooting more three-pointers, not blocking as many shots, and not getting to the foul line as often as he could. This is something the team will need him to correct before they reach the postseason.

The truth is that the Spurs simply have a lower ceiling when Wembanyama plays this style. Yes, he's a versatile enough player to make an impact no matter what role he operates in. But it's also undeniable that San Antonio is a better team when he's using his size to his advantage on the interior.

Getting away from dominating in the post can be an easy temptaton to fall into if you're Victor. He has the ability to make defenses hurt from three-point range without a doubt. But when he falls into a situation where he's drifting out to the perimeter and looking to spot up for jump shots, he's unintentionally taking away some of his own core strengths. It's no surprise that the Spurs have suffered and their win-loss record has slipped as a result of this.

The Spurs need to take full advantage of Victor Wembanyama's size

Think about it. When Wemby focuses on dominating his matchup on the inside, he's going to be naturally amplifying his skillset, whether he's having a great night by his standards or not. Victor will grab boards, block shots, and change opponents' game plans in his sleep, simply by being who he is. Remembering to fully lean into his strengths is just part of the mental game, and it's something he'll need to correct over the course of the next two and a half months.

I'm not asking Wembanyama to go to work in the post like he's Tim Duncan, posting guys up every possession and never once thinking of his ability to stretch the floor. That would be to forget his versatility and the other parts of his game that make him great. But sticking to your bread and butter when things get dicey can often be a smart move.

How well Victor can balance his own approach to the game will determine how far this group can realistically go. If the Spurs' franchise player can re-commit to imposing his will inside while picking his spots more carefully, San Antonio is going to give themselves the best chance to stabilize and finish the regular season strong.