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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The San Antonio Spurs consistency from the early 2000s to late 2010s has made them one of the most successful franchises in the NBA. However, the last four years haven’t been so kind to the Spurs faithful. They have amassed a dismal record of 172 wins and 230 defeats. They have started the 2023-24 season in a similar manner, having amassed 3 wins and 10 defeats. Despite initial optimism, the Spurs find themselves rooted at the bottom of the table.

But there isn’t a sense of panic that comes with a poor start. In fact, the Spurs’ fans and hierarchy are bullish about their future, and the reason is Victor Wembanyama. Despite Victor’s undeniable generational talent, he has been surpassed by five emerging young NBA stars in the latest global rankings.

Wembanyama pipped by Holmgren and Sengun in Global rankings

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The 2022-23 season saw unprecedented tanking because of Wembanyama. The Spurs won the Wembanyama sweepstakes, when they were awarded the No.1 pick in the 2023 Draft. In his first thirteen games, Victor has shown his transcendent talent on multiple occasions. However, fellow young big-men, Chet Holmgren and Alperen Sengun have pipped him in the latest global rankings by HoopsHype.

USA Today via Reuters

HoopsHype describes the metric as “it combines players’ and teams’ statistics to rank players according to their productivity on the court”. Among players under the age of 22, Victor holds the sixth position in the rankings. Players like Sengun, Banchero, Green, Holmgren, and Jalen Johnson, all rank ahead of him. Wembanyama ranks 77th in the entire league, with a rating of 12.15. In fact, Wembanyama tops the ranking in players born after 2003. The closest teenager to Victor’s rating is Dereck Lively II, with a rating of 10.15.

Wembanyama has shown immense promise in his limited time in the league. But now, he must show his character and determination to lift the Spurs out of their four-year slump.

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A dark period for the San Antonio Spurs

Since 2019, the San Antonio Spurs have struggled to maintain their previous level of success. They have experienced a prolonged period of poor form. Over the course of the last four years, the team has faced challenges in achieving consistent victories and has found themselves outside the upper echelons of the NBA standings.

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This decline has raised concerns among fans and observers, as the Spurs, once synonymous with success, have grappled with rebuilding and performance issues. Overcoming this slump will require strategic moves, player development, and a concerted effort to return to their status as a formidable force in the league.

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