Rivalries have the capability of defining an era of basketball. With generational freaks flowing into the NBA on a regular, a clash of two seven-foot disruptors is touted to become a fascinating battle. Appropriately, anticipations began to amplify when the Spurs visited the Thunder. It was time for Victor Wembanyama vs Chet Holmgren, two anomalies in the NBA. However, their maiden clash as sophomores was rather one-sided.

The Thunder dominated and Holmgren curtailed Wemby in a way not many have. The Spurs’ future cornerstone only took five shots the whole night, hitting only one of them. On the other hand, the OKC center flourished with 19 points and 2 blocks. A statement was made. Yet, Draymond Green feels this is only the beginning and offered some advice for the Spurs’ dynamic product.

“When you come back off that first summer, everybody been watching you. Defenses are prepared. It’s not the first time everybody is seeing you. There’s game plans that are built to stop you and so you have to adjust to that. I think Wemby is going through what most of us go through where he has to make those adjustments,” he said on his podcast.

So far, Victor Wembanayama is unable to find the same success he did as a rookie. Defensively, with his size and timing, Wemby was bound to be a terrifying rim protector. He is still averaging over 3 blocks this season. However, as a scorer, his 18 points have come as a disappointment, considering he has a vintage PG in Chris Paul running the show now.

The problem? His excessive use of the three points. Wembanyama can surely shoot the ball. Yet, with the sample so far, he hasn’t converted at a healthy rate. Hence, Green made him aware of the “responsibility” he holds to the team and how he can improve on his shaky start.

“I think what he’ll start to learn is you shoot 22% from three, some of those takes are bad. And so you start picking and choosing your spots so when he takes some of those shots that he’s been taking. Yeah, you’ve got the ultimate green light but there’s still a responsibility that comes with the types of shots that you are getting which will ultimately help him get back to playing like the player that we know he can,” Green noted on The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.

Wemby isn’t one to listen to too much of the outside noise. However, within just one game, the French prospect displayed riveting improvements while claiming some more history along the way.

Victor Wembanyama shows some spark against the Jazz

While Green did relay his advice, he has full trust in Wembanayama’s skill and work ethic to find a way out of his dreadful slump. Against the Jazz, there was a start. The 20-year-old scored 25 points on 9-20 shooting. Additionally, he did something mystical, servicing the Spurs with 5X5 games. It included 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals, and 5 blocks.

That was the start.

However, what is the one thing that’s holding Wembanyama back? Ironically, it might be him not utilizing his 7’4″ lanky frame to its best effect. Against the Jazz, of the 11 shots he did miss, seven of those came from the three-point line. Over five games, teams have essentially allowed Victor Wembanyama to freely those shots. Let’s face it. Blocking them requires a Holmgren, and contesting will barely work.

Here’s an astonishing stat. According to NBA’s stats, every three Wembanyama attempts are either open or wide open. The problem is overreliance. He hasn’t polished his shot so far to become a consistent three-point threat. Rivals recognizing his instincts in space would much rather take a gamble than risk being in foul trouble when defending near the paint.

It’s no surprise since he is shooting at least 50% from any spot within 20 feet from the basket. Rather than defenses adapting, it’s time for Wembanyama to recognize how dangerous he is once he steps inside the arc. Even a step in and defenses have to panic and send pressure toward him.

A simple change in tendencies could hugely benefit Victor Wembanyama? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.