Wembanyama's special night frustratingly ruined by his own hand

Victor Wembanyama has taken the NBA by storm with his remarkable potential and jaw-dropping highlights. His versatility, length, and skillset make him a force on both ends of the court, and when you watch him, it feels like the possibilities are endless.

However, his decision-making on offense, particularly his preference for three-pointers, is a growing concern in the fan base. In last night's game against the LA Clippers, where he delivered an otherwise impressive stat line, his shot selection ultimately hindered his own standout performance.

It's just way too many threes

Wembanyama is averaging seven three-point attempts per game, yet he’s hitting only 22% of them. To put it in nice, round numbers, he's connected on just 11 of his 50 attempts, ranking him 164th out of 167 eligible shooters from deep. That’s tough to overlook, especially when the shots are hurting the team’s offense.

In the Clippers game, he went 2/9 from three, leading to an overall 9/22 from the field. If he eliminated all of those 3-point attempts, he's 7/13. The Alien is generally an over 50% shooter inside the arc, but he lives outside of it too often.

While the NBA has embraced the three-point revolution, taking shots from beyond the half-circle isn’t necessarily effective if they’re not going in. For Wembanyama, finding a balance between outside shooting and exploiting his other strengths is crucial.

At the free-throw line, Wembanyama is shining. After going 4/4 in his latest game, he’s shooting an impressive 93% from the line this season. This kind of efficiency suggests that he could benefit from getting to the line more frequently.

Driving to the basket and drawing fouls could not only boost his scoring but also put pressure on opposing defenses and create better offensive flow for his teammates. Altering his game, at least while his three-point shot isn’t falling, would likely lead to improved outcomes for the team.

After the game, when asked about his mindset when he misses a few 3s early, Wemby said, "It's just to keep playing my game, and my game consists of shooting 3s too. So, if I'm open, I'm just going to keep shooting them, and I'm going to make them."

3-pointers are necessary but variety will help Wembanyama

While it’s essential to encourage players to shoot their way through slumps, there's also value in adapting to circumstances. Wembanyama has all the tools to dominate at the rim, and he can easily exploit mismatches in the paint.

Too often, he’s passing the rock when he has smaller defenders on him, expecting a double-team that doesn’t come. Instead of giving up the ball, these are moments where he could attack and either get a high-percentage look or draw a foul.

Of course, Wembanyama is still only 20, and growing pains are natural. He’s a generational talent still refining his game, and fans need to keep in mind that development takes time. That said, we’re already seeing strides in other aspects of his play. He’s clearly getting stronger, his handle has improved, and he’s added a few new moves to his arsenal.

In just his second season, Wembanyama already posted his second 5x5 game of his career and came close to a 10-block triple-double last night with 24 points, 13 rebounds, nine blocks, three assists, and three steals. It’s abundantly clear he has the potential to redefine what’s possible for a big man in the NBA. When he fully unlocks his capabilities, he’ll be a terrifyingly, unstoppable force.

For now, however, refining his shot selection could make a significant difference in his efficiency and the Spurs’ overall success. His immense skill and desire to improve are there; now, it’s about fine-tuning his approach to maximize his impact. The league isn’t ready for what he’ll eventually become—but a small adjustment here and there could help him get there even faster.