Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Doesn't Need Blocks to Showcase Defensive Prowess

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs bested the Detroit Pistons and did so in a new fashion.

It was only a matter of time before Victor Wembanyama recorded his first triple-double, and he did so in only 21 minutes against the Detroit Pistons. Fans of the San Antonio Spurs might have been surprised to find out that Wembanyama recorded his first in the traditional sense: points, rebounds, and assists.

Ten assists, not ten blocks? Wemby didn’t even record one.

It’s hard to continue to build an All-Defensive case the day after Wembanyama posted a dud in the paint, despite his offensive contribution, but if anything, his lack of blocks is a credit to his defensive prowess.

Dec 28, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot during the first half against Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) at Moda Center / © Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

The Pistons score the fifth-fewest points in the NBA and are near the bottom in shots attempted, but they are eighth in the NBA in shots within ten feet of the basket, with 41.3 attempts per night. Against Wembanyama, the Pistons were terrified to do the only thing they do well: score near the basket.

When Wembanyama was on the floor, the Pistons shot 55 percent on only 18 attempts from within ten feet of the basket. When he was off, they shot 65 percent on 31 attempts, for a game total of 30-for-49 from inside ten feet, or 61 percent. On average, the Pistons scored 48 points from that range per game on 58 percent shooting.

If we take Wembanyama’s 21-minute performance and average it out over 48 minutes, the Pistons would have shot a measly 23-for-41 from ten feet, which is about as efficient as the Memphis Grizzlies, who are 29th in the league in that category.

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It’s safe to say that the Pistons were scared to take the ball to the hoop. Who else totally shuts down a region of the court in today’s NBA? Rudy Gobert, maybe Anthony Davis? Victor Wembanyama’s presence alone took Detroit–who is decent near the basket–and turned the Pistons into a league-worst team. DPOY material.