NBA Finals: Victor Wembanyama has no more time for calm
Once more, the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama were too calm. Once more, they fell to a vibrant New York Knicks. Emmet Ryan on a need for raw aggression from the Western Conference champions in the NBA Finals.
Here’s the thing about being a Zen master. It’s not about running from emotion, it’s about working with it. Control doesn’t mean containing it in a box. That’s a lesson the San Antonio Spurs have about two days to learn in order to save the NBA Finals.
The New York Knicks have been able to play their basketball without fear because of this excessive calm from their opponents. Now, Victor Wembanyama and company must do something never before done in the NBA Finals if they are to emerge victorious.
Let it out
Across both of the first two games of these NBA Finals, Victor Wembanyama has committed four fouls in total. His two in Game 1 came in the second half and, sure enough, the same was the case in Game 2.
The decision to ease off and contain rather than control his aggression is sorely costing the San Antonio Spurs at both ends. The Knicks have far too much space offensively and their D doesn’t have to take big risks. The Spurs need New York to gamble, to lean into the physicality they so desperately fear unleashing.
There were glimpses of what Wemby can do when he lets loose just a little. Anyone watching could catch the challenge it posed New York at both ends. Yet, far too often, he chose the smoother option. He’d elect for a three rather than barging one-on-one. Even one of his best makes involved going around three defenders when the urge to go through and draw fouls should have been natural.
A source of the over-correction
Here’s the thing, Victor Wembanyama is only slightly below his average for fouls committed in this series. He averaged 2.4 fouls per game in the regular season and 2.5 in the playoffs. While stars tend to get more favourable calls there’s another element worth considering.
When Wemby started his lone season with Metropolitans 92 in France, he had a terrible habit of getting into foul trouble early. This was his first time playing starter minutes in adult basketball. His absence hurt his side so he adjusted to lean less on his physicality and stay in the game.
There has clearly been an excessive move away from his natural raw power. The NBA Finals is, to state the obvious, a stage where Wemby doesn’t want to cost the San Antonio Spurs by sitting with foul issues. The only beneficiary however has been the Knicks.
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The broader impact
We’ll get to the conclusion shortly but, in truth, the game should never have come down to those 10 seconds. The Knicks should have been home and hosed well before then. Playing a style of basketball reminiscent of Olympiacos, their modular play has proven excellent at changing the focal point of attack.
After being up big, the Spurs just wilted when New York went on its charge. There wasn’t the steel required to rein in the big run. The attitude from San Antonio was that they would figure it out. In a way they did but they forgot that the process involves making the opponent work for the surge.
The comeback was very impressive defensively. In the final 6 minutes, the Knicks made just 2 from the field. Where was this intensity before things got truly desperate? That’s the question the Spurs players need to ask themselves.
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About those 10 seconds
They really encapsulated everything that has been wrong with the San Antonio Spurs throughout the opening two games of these NBA Finals. The turnover is attributed to Victor Wembanyama yet the play has more nuance. Stephon Castle was as lax as the Frenchman, turning away at a time when focus was mandatory.
The play to try and win late came down to the lowest percentage shot in the spot. Granted, Jalen Brunson loves a long two but it’s not a good use of Victor Wembanyama. Any play built on a drive would have, you would have thought, been more effective. Yet, the absence of aggression from the Spurs once again bit them.
The Knicks got the win because they did enough over the bulk of the 48 minutes. Crucially, as in Game 1, they were able to play in the approach they best feel works to win. They did so with minimal interruption. That’s far more concerning than a late game failure by Wemby.
Now it’s about history
The San Antonio Spurs must now do something no team has ever done. No, I’m not talking about beating the Danhausen curse. There have been five instances of a team coming back from 2-0 down to win the NBA Finals. Yet all of those did so by starting the series on the road. Nobody has ever done so after losing both at home.
It’s a tall order. It’s also what might be necessary to finally get Victor Wembanyama and those around him to channel their aggression.
They’re like the problem with Superman right now, playing in a world made of cardboard. The Spurs are always taking constant care not to go too far, never allowing themselves to lose control, even for a moment. Well, the Knicks can take it. What Wemby and his buddies have is a rare opportunity to cut loose and show the world just how powerful they really are.
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