Growth in the NBA doesn’t always come with a highlight reel. Sometimes, it happens in the subtle shifts - the footwork, the decision-making, the way a player reads a defense just a split second faster. For the San Antonio Spurs, that kind of growth is happening right in front of us, and it’s centered around Victor Wembanyama.
Sure, Wemby’s new look might have caught social media’s attention recently, but what’s really turning heads around the league is how quickly he’s adjusting to the game - and how much that matters to the Spurs’ future. Former All-Star Gilbert Arenas recently weighed in with a take that cuts right to the core of Wembanyama’s evolution: it’s not about the flash. It’s about the efficiency.
“Wemby is learning in real time, adjusting in real time,” Arenas said. “If he is starting to play the game without putting the ball on the floor, the chances of them getting to the Western Conference Finals is gonna be heightened.
I’m sorry. Defensively, 7-game series, him dominating, controlling the game, that gives them a chance.
If he starts getting buckets without wasting energy, good luck!”
That’s not just talk - the numbers back it up. As of January 18, the Spurs are sitting at 29-13, second in the Western Conference behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Wembanyama is putting up 24.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, while anchoring a defense that’s built around his length, timing, and instincts. And he’s doing it while still learning the NBA on the fly.
This isn’t just rookie-of-the-year buzz anymore. San Antonio’s rise has followed a clear arc, one that mirrors Wembanyama’s own growth.
Early wins - including some big ones over Oklahoma City - raised eyebrows. Later losses reminded everyone that this is still a young team figuring itself out.
But through it all, there’s been a steady progression, especially in how Wemby handles pressure and adapts to NBA defenses that are faster, stronger, and smarter than anything he’s faced before.
What Arenas is pointing out - and what the Spurs are leaning into - is the value of simplifying the game. When Wembanyama scores without over-dribbling, when he finds his spots early and lets his size and touch do the work, he becomes a nightmare to guard.
It reduces turnovers, conserves energy, and makes the Spurs’ offense more fluid. It also gives their defense a chance to get set, which is where Wemby’s presence truly changes games.
You can see the difference in close contests. When things tighten up in the fourth quarter, Wembanyama’s improved positioning and decision-making have given San Antonio a structure they didn’t have earlier in the season. The Spurs don’t just rely on him to block shots or grab boards - they rely on him to stabilize the entire flow of the game on both ends of the floor.
This isn’t about whether Wemby can put up 30-point nights or rack up highlight dunks. It’s about how he’s learning to dominate without needing the ball in his hands every possession. That kind of growth - the kind that happens between the big plays - is what could eventually carry the Spurs deep into the postseason.
San Antonio is still a work in progress, but the blueprint is becoming clearer by the day. And at the center of it all is a 7-foot-4 phenom who’s figuring out how to control games with less flash and more force. If this is what Wembanyama looks like while he's still learning, the rest of the league might want to start paying very close attention.