Victor Wembanyama has been a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. Even though the Spurs hold the generational talent, their 2023 No. 1 pick and the performance are nowhere close to premium. They ended the previous campaign with a 22-60 record, and no, we’ve not flipped the figures. Even with Wembanyama’s 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds average stat line, the Spurs collectively did not deliver. What is the primary reason that even though the team has a player of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson’s caliber, they aren’t able to figure it out yet? An ex-NBA star reasons out why.

Andre Roberson stated his thoughts on the Above the Rim podcast, ” You got Wemby on your team which is automatically gonna put a target on their back. But I don’t necessarily think they’re utilizing …I just don’t think they figured it out.” Apparently, the Spurs have got a lot of talented young guys on their roster like Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson. Vassell had signed a $135 million 5-year contract, while Keldon is in the 2nd year of his 4-year $74 million contract. Both of them are coming off a decent season. However, Roberson revealed that it’s all “Wemby show.” 

The Spurs have to weave their strategy around the 7-foot-4-inch giant to get their hands on the championship. Last season, Popovich’s move to bring Tre Jones as a point guard instead of Zach Collins (middling center) was good news for the Spurs. It was a bold move that brought two wins immediately to the Spurs, including the one against the mighty Wolves. With a 50.5% accuracy from the field and 6.2 assists, Jones was a much better playmaker than Collins (48.4% FG, 2.8 assists).

So, it’s not like the potential is missing from the scene. The correct configuration is not there yet. Andre agreed on the same when he predicted Victor Wembanyama’s growth, saying, “He’s cold. He’ll be going to get even better. But they got to get done that chemistry for sure.”

But how are the Spurs going to bring out that aggressive Wembanyama? Well, it seems they’ve checked that box out this offseason!

A veteran guard arrives to guide Victor Wembanyama and his young squad

The 11x All-Star Chris Paul signed an $11 million contract with the Spurs for just a year. This is going to be like a test run for Victor Wembanyama and his young teammates to check if the veteran can get the young bunch together. With 6.8 assists and 44.1% field goal accuracy, the ex-Warrior is just the perfect role player for Victor Wembanyama. Coming to the intangibles, CP3 is an impact player whose maturity on the court will bring an edge to Spurs’ plays.

Even Kevin Garnett agreed on this point, as he stated a week ago, “Last year, he did not get any easy baskets, everything felt hard or challenged, and rightfully so…Playing with Chris Paul, he is going to get easier baskets.” If Wemby gets his role and responsibility aptly, there will be hardly any game far from Coach Pop and Co.’s reach.

In the Olympics, the Frenchman was a lot more focused on being a team player while leading from the front. However, Garnett is waiting for that bold play as he predicted, “Wait till he starts to get a lot more aggressive.” There is no doubt that the reigning ROTY will blast through his potential in the future. For now, he must keep his head low and learn from the mature heads.

Feel that you can do with another update from the sport of basketball? Then do check out this recent interview with the up-and-coming Georgia Lady Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.