Wembanyama could start a shot-blocking revolution if the NBA wises up

Approximately 5,000 people have played in the NBA, and only so many of them have changed the game. Whether it's the implementation of new rules or the development of league-wide trends, great players can leave a lasting impact long after they're gone.

Spurs' superstar, Victor Wembanyama, has the rare ability to be one such player, but the question is, how? What would Wemby changing the game look like?

After rolling a few ideas around in my head, his shot-blocking made its way to the forefront. Simply put: blocked shot control and the impact it has on the transition game could end up being how Wembanyama imprints his name on the game forever.

Wembanyama has turned shot blocking into a possession weapon

As fun as it is to see the ball spiked into the fifth row, it's smarter for guys to keep it in play. Unless the rejecter can ensure that the opponent is the last to touch it, his team gets the honor of playing defense again. This time the offense might score, and that block didn't mean very much.

Wemby is the best in the league at making sure that doesn't happen. His knack for maintaining possession after a thunderous block is special, and sometimes he holds back on the force to ensure the ball doesn't go flying out of reach. This provides additional transition opportunities for San Antonio, creating a greater emphasis on transition defense for anyone playing against the Spurs.

Possessions are currency in the NBA. It's a simple numbers game. The more shot attempts you have, the more chances you have to score, and at the end of the day, basketball has a simple goal: put more points on the board than the other team.

Wemby's habit could spread across the NBA

Teams are always looking for ways to generate easy buckets. The best way to do that is by starting as many fast breaks as possible. Try to score in transition or force mismatches that you can attack easily when the defense scrambles to get back.

It puts a stronger emphasis on the transition game from both sides, and voila, you have the Wembanyama effect. And it all starts with controlling possession after a blocked shot.

Wemby's size and wingspan make much of what makes him special unreplicable. This isn't one of those things. In fact, it would be smart for coaches to start telling their rim protectors to copy the Defensive Player of the Year's strategy. If they do, the snowball effect begins, and the transition game becomes a greater point of emphasis in the sport. All thanks to Victor Wembanyama.

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