If you ask around right now, a handful of people will tell you that Karl-Anthony Towns has Victor Wembanyama's number this series on both sides of the floor. I wouldn't completely disagree with that, but the second half of Game 2 showed us that the tide may start turning in favor of the Frenchman.
His underwhelming performance in the first 24 minutes of that matchup sent him into the locker room with a realization: he had no choice but to turn things up if the Spurs even wanted a chance to win. Now, they didn't come out victorious, but Wemby's strong second-half scoring onslaught showed Knicks fans that he's starting to wake up.
I don't want to downplay what Towns is doing. He's been amazing all-around with efficient scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. But the seven-footer on the other side is about to show that there are levels to this.
Wemby has an amazing ability to read and react to defensive challenges
Anyone who doubts Victor's ability to adjust to the Knicks' defensive attack confuses me. He's been navigating unfamiliarity for the entire postseason, responding well to the vast array of looks that opposing coaches threw at him. Just ask the Timberwolves and the Thunder. Both saw their game plans get leveled by Wemby's scoring attack.
Don't be surprised if we see a similar development here against the Knicks. Victor has a unique ability to take his punches early in a playoff series, analyze where he needs to improve, and apply said improvements in subsequent matchups.
It feels like just yesterday, NBA social media was piling on him for struggling against OKC's physicality. Remember, Isaiah Hartenstein had him figured out, right? Then he turned around and led the series in scoring while winning the Western Conference Finals MVP award.
We're about to get a heavy dosage of classic Wemby. Friday's game was the blueprint, as he attacked the Knicks' defense in a variety of ways. He found his footing in the paint and blended that with a pair of good-looking long-range shots. He's really starting to find his groove.
Let's be clear, Victor hasn't been that bad offensively this series
Wemby's blunders at the end of Game 2 were disappointing for Spurs fans; I get it. But we mustn't walk around with this notion that he has been a bad player during this series. Underwhelming? Sure. But is this the smoking gun proving the hype around him is undeserved? Absolutely not.
The man is leading the series in scoring, averaging 27.5 points per game. Now, are points the only thing that matters? No, especially if it comes with questionable efficiency and losing two games at home. And that number doesn't hit the same when the seven-footer opposite him is playing a better brand of hoops.
But the point I'm trying to make is simple: if this is the worst we see of Victor Wembanyama, that says a lot. His floor is the ceiling for a handful of players in the NBA. We've seen countless MVPs who haven't even been able to get to this stage to put their skill sets on display.
In a world full of hyperbolic opinions that shift with each game, we must get some perspective. Yes, it's fair to criticize Wemby for some of his early struggles. But I think it would be foolish to walk away from these first two games and believe that the lights are too bright for him.
