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Of all 30 teams in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs have the most defined culture. “The Spurs’ Way” has won five titles, making the playoffs 22 years in a row. Most of that culture can be attributed to continuity. Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and David Robinson fully bought into a team-first mentality, instilled it in San Antonio, and have passed it down for decades. As Victor Wembanyama enjoys the most dominant individual start in franchise history, the Spurs remain undefeated. For the first time in his career, he has fully embraced the Spurs’ Way of doing things. Wemby Embraces San Antonio Spurs’ Style The Spurs have long been a pass-first team, preaching the values of moving the ball and the evils of isolation scoring, even as it sweeps the league. Wembanyama is far from a pass-first center like Nikola Jokic or Domantas Sabonis, although he can be a serviceable passing hub. In the Spurs’ first four games, he is taking fewer 3-pointers than ever before. Instead, he is looking to find the open man or drive to the hoop. As a result, the Spurs shoot 39.3% from deep, one of the best marks in the league. “Sometimes it’s easy to underestimate the value of turning down shots,” he explained on October 27th. “I’ve done a lot of work this summer to recognize the situation, and when to take a shot, when to not, and take the highest quality shots possible.” Of course, Wembanyama could easily shoot over anyone in the league. With two defenders in his face, however, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, or Julian Champagnie are almost always open. The Spurs have been preaching “finding the open man” for as long as Popovich was at the helm, and their style was dubbed “The Beautiful Game” as they chased their fifth title. “San Antonio is great about, ‘I have a shot, but you have a better shot,'” said Jalen Rose in 2014. “They break you down with their passes.” San Antonio Spurs Designed Wembanyama’s Style Last season, Wembanyama took 8.8 3-pointers per game, good for ninth in the league. However, he was only a league-average shooter. What he proved, last season, is that he has to be respected on the perimeter. He may not be a sniper, but if you leave him open, he will pay. As a result, teams are guarding him closer, which opens up space for him to drive. When he barrels towards the rim, at least two defenders rush to meet him. He’s proven that he can finish through or over anyone in the league, but it’s not the best shot. Instead, he can kick it out to a shooter. Three is more than two, after all.
