Over the last 16 games, the San Antonio Spurs have gone 8-8-a stretch that reflects a team still trying to find its identity, especially when it comes to how Victor Wembanyama is being utilized. The rookie phenom has been spending more time beyond the arc, settling for jumpers, and drifting away from the rim. And while his perimeter skill set is rare for someone his size, it’s also clear: when Wemby isn't asserting himself inside, the Spurs lose a huge part of what makes them dangerous.
Let’s be clear-Wembanyama is the kind of unicorn talent who can impact the game from just about anywhere on the floor. He can stretch defenses with his shooting, handle the ball like a guard, and swat shots into the third row. But even with all that versatility, the Spurs are at their best when he leans into his size and length, especially on the interior.
That’s not a knock on his perimeter game. Wemby can absolutely knock down threes and create mismatches from the outside.
But when he starts relying too heavily on that part of his game-spotting up instead of sealing off defenders, floating instead of finishing through contact-he’s leaving some of his most dominant tools on the table. And the Spurs, as a result, become a more perimeter-heavy, less physically imposing team.
The numbers back it up. During this .500 stretch, Wembanyama hasn’t been getting to the line as often, hasn’t been blocking shots at his usual clip, and hasn’t been crashing the paint with the same force.
That’s not just a dip in production-it’s a shift in identity. And for a Spurs team that’s trying to build momentum toward the postseason, that’s something they’ll need to recalibrate.
When Wemby plays closer to the rim, everything changes. He becomes a gravitational force-drawing double teams, opening up shooters, altering shots, and controlling the glass.
Even on nights when his shot isn’t falling, his presence alone warps opposing game plans. That’s the kind of impact that doesn’t always show up in the box score but completely changes the flow of a game.
And this isn’t about turning Wembanyama into a traditional back-to-the-basket big. No one’s asking him to channel Tim Duncan and live in the low post.
What we’re talking about is balance-knowing when to stretch the floor and when to impose his will inside. Because when he finds that sweet spot, the Spurs start to look like a team that can punch above their weight.
The next couple of months are going to be crucial. San Antonio needs their franchise cornerstone to embrace the full range of his game-but especially the parts that make him such a matchup nightmare down low. If Wembanyama can re-center his focus on dominating the paint and pick his spots from the perimeter more selectively, the Spurs are going to give themselves the best shot at finishing the regular season strong and making some noise when it counts.
This is part of the learning curve for any young star, especially one with a skill set as unique as Wemby’s. But the sooner he leans into what makes him special, the sooner the Spurs can start climbing.