How Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is making progress after five weeks

Welcome to Victor Wembanyama Experience. Come one, come all, because there’s a 7-foot-4 Frenchman who can knock your socks off, Block your 3-pointers, Step back from 3, resetting his own regression in two steps And Dive into yourself from a standstill outside the restricted area. Check out the human cheat code.

Here we track the San Antonio Spurs rookie’s weekly progress compared to the most anticipated prospects of the last 50 years Yahoo Sports’ own default fantasy basketball settings to evaluate their production.

But first a few words…

It was around this time of the season that many of the most hyped talents began to break into the NBA. They had played 15 to 20 games, the equivalent of half a college or European season. They began to discover how their talents translated at the highest levels, and their teammates learned how to amplify those talents, as long as each organization invested in fostering a successful environment.

It’s just that the San Antonio Spurs’ approach brings an interesting NBA development into focus. Only five of these rookie teams have won fewer than seven games so far, and four of them are among the six most recent draft picks. Teams have hit such a low ebb that it takes years to rebuild, and front offices are coping well with that. Add more high-end draft picks as you build and develop them all on the same schedule.

This makes sense since newcomers need so much seasoning in the one-and-done era. Why speed up the process?

The fan base has been primed to accept this practice as the best way to build a competitor, and it can be successful. The Oklahoma City Thunder signed Russell Westbrook and James Harden in the years after they selected Kevin Durant, and in their second season together as a trio, they laid the foundation for a 55-win conference finalist. After three more lottery appearances, OKC is currently following the same plan.

However, not everyone can identify talent as well as Thunder general manager Sam Presti. The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Dajuan Wagner and Luke Jackson in the years before and after signing LeBron James, so instead they cobbled together enough veterans to meet James on his rise to superstardom, and they have an NBA star in his fourth season. Finalists with 50 wins forged. The Los Angeles Clippers selected Eric Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu – two bona fide NBA players – in the years before and after signing Blake Griffin, and it wasn’t until they traded both for the prime Chris Paul that they turned into a 50 -Win contender.

It can work either way, but we should ask ourselves which path Spurs will take in Wembanyama’s rise. Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan have all emerged as potential building blocks, but are we sure they will be on the roster when (if?) Wembanyama poses a serious playoff threat?

Wembanyama is 19 years old and (in 17 games) the same player he was last season in Europe, where he had as many memorable as standout performances and inefficiently posted some impressive averages. Look at where he sits on this list and we can’t be worried long-term.

Still, the expanded statistics are alarming. Some of the worst of these phenomena include his player efficiency rating, his win shares per 48 minutes, and his box plus/minus, and that too could be a product of his environment. The 1.90 meter tall Sochan’s much-discussed transition from power forward to point guard was undoubtedly an obstacle to victory. The latest numbers: The Spurs are +6.7 points per 100 significant possessions when Tre Jones is Wembanyama’s point guard and -23.4 when he is not. according to cleaning the glass.

San Antonio is more than comfortable associating Wembanyama’s first-year progress with Sochan. The good news for Spurs fans is that any path to progress – collective development or switching to experienced reinforcements – can lead to conflict within a few years. On the other hand, if Sochan doesn’t develop into a winning primary playmaker, will Wembanyama’s influence on victory wait until that position is resolved?

We’ll find out if everything comes out when washed. That’s what the tracker is for. Before we begin, a key:

• Season averages: Points (FG%/3P%/FT%), rebounds, assists (turnovers), steals, blocks

• Progressive: Rating of player efficiency, hit rate, win shares per 48, box plus-minus

• By X Games (Record): Total PTS-REB-AST-STL-BLK, TO (FGA-FGM, 3PA-3PM, FTA-FTM)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week X): Default seasonal settings

Without further ado, the Victor Vector rankings: Week 1 (16th) • Week 2 (6th) • Week 3 (6th) • Week 4 (5th) • Week 5…

• 2002-03: 13.5 PTS (50/50/81), 8.2 REB, 1.8 BLK, 1.7 AST (2.1 TO), 0.4 STL

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 20.6 PER, 57.0 TS%, .176 WS/48, 2.2 BPM

• In 17 games (10-7): 176-99-18-4-24, 28 TO (68-105 FG, 0-0 3P, 40-57 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 318.5

19. Kevin Durant, Seattle SuperSonics

• 2007–08: 20.3 PTS (43/29/87), 4.4 REB, 2.4 AST (2.9 TO), 1.0 STL, 0.9 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 15.8 PER, 51.9 TS%, 0.040 WS/48, -0.1 BPM

• In 17 games (3-14): 347-74-36-19-18, 58 TO (122-300 FG, 23-77 3P, 80-98 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 414

• 1985-86: 20 PTS (47/0/74), 9 REB, 2.1 BLK, 2.0 AST (3.4 TO), 1.1 STL

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 17.4 PER, 52.6 TS%, 0.084 WS/48, 1.1 BPM

• In 17 games (4-13): 314-137-28-15-28, 47 TO (118-254 FG, 0-1 3P, 78-99 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 460.95

• 1981-82: 17 PTS (42/29/70), 7.8 AST (4.2 TO), 2.9 REB, 2.1 STL, 0.2 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 14.5 PER, 48.7 TS%, 0.046 WS/48, -0.8 BPM

• In 17 games (8-9): 358-51-134-36*-3*, 71* TO (128-283 FG, 2-14* 3P, 100-145 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 496.4

(*Some game-by-game statistics are not available. Estimates are based on season averages.)

16. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

• 2010-11: 22.5 PTS (51/29/64), 12.1 REB, 3.8 AST (2.7 TO), 0.8 STL, 0.5 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 21.9 PER, 54.9 TS%, .152 WS/48, 2.6 BPM

• In 17 games (3-14): 328-194-40-12-9, 43 TO (127-248 FG, 0-1 3P, 74-130 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 503.9

• 1996–97: 23.5 PTS (42/34/70), 7.5 AST (4.4 TO), 4.1 REB, 2.1 STL, 0.3 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 18 PER, 51.3 TS%, 0.065 WS/48, 0.9 BPM

• In 17 games (7-10): 323-70-99-34-7, 76 TO (107-257 FG, 30-77 3P, 79-119 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 506.6

14. Grant Hill, Detroit Pistons

• 1994-95: 19.9 PTS (48/15/73), 6.4 REB, 5 AST (2.9 TO), 1.8 STL, 0.9 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 19 PER, 54.1 TS%, 0.097 WS/48, 2.0 BPM

• In 17 games (8-9): 313-87-67-30-18, 40 TO (112-227 FG, 3-12 3P, 86-106 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 510.35

13. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

• 1997-98: 21.1 PTS (55/0/66), 11.9 REB, 2.7 AST (3.4 TO), 2.5 B LK, 0.7 STL

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 22.6 PER, 57.7 TS%, .192 WS/48, 4.6 BPM

• In 17 games (10-7): 266-191-32-10-41, 55 TO (115-202 FG, 0-2 3P, 36-77 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 528.85

12. Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets

• 1984-85: 20.6 PTS (54/0/61), 11.9 REB, 2.7 BLK, 1.4 AST (2.9 TO), 1.2 STL

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 21.1 PER, 56.4 TS%, .168 WS/48, 2.1 BPM

• In 17 games (12-5): 298-188-22-16-38, 51 TO (122-244 FG, 0-0 3P, 54-96 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 529.2

• 2018-19: 21.2 PTS (43/33/71), 7.8 REB, 6 AST (3.4 TO), 1.1 STL, 0.3 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 19.6 PER, 54.5 TS%, .101 WS/48, 3.9 BPM

• In 17 games (8-9): 328-118-70-15-5, 65 TO (116-256 FG, 41-107 3P, 55-71 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 536.55

10. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2003–04: 20.9 PTS (42/29/75), 5.9 AST (3.5 TO), 5.5 REB, 1.6 STL, 0.7 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 18.3 PER, 48.8 TS%, 0.078 WS/48, 1.7 BPM

• In 17 games (4-13): 298-119-109-20-12, 64 TO (116-277 FG, 15-46 3P, 51-73 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 546.1

• 1979-80: 18 PTS (53/23/81), 7.7 REB, 7.3 AST, 2.4 STL (4.0 TO), 0.5 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 20.6 PER, 60.2 TS%, .180 WS/48, 4.8 BPM

• In 17 games (12-5): 275-103-102-33-8, 43 TO (102-184 FG, 0-1 3P, 71-90 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 555.7

• 2005–06: 16.1 PTS (43/28/85), 7.8 AST (2.3 TO), 5.1 REB, 2.2 STL, 0.1 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 22.1 PER, 54.6 TS%, .178 WS/48, 5.2 BPM

• In 17 games (8-9): 272-95-113-34-1, 43 TO (92-215 FG, 12-48 3P, 76-92 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 561.75

7. Ralph Sampson, Houston Rockets

• 1983-84: 21 PTS (52/25/66), 11.1 REB, 2.4 BLK, 2 AST (3.6 TO), 0.9 STL

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 20.1 PER, 55.1 TS%, .108 WS/48, 0.9 BPM

• In 17 games (7-10): 361-204-36-10-41, 56 TO (150-280 FG, 0-1 3P, 61-89 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 617.75

• 1979-80: 21.3 PTS (47/41/84), 10.4 REB, 4.5 AST (3.2 TO), 1.7 STL, 0.6 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 20.5 PER, 53.8 TS%, .182 WS/48, 4.5 BPM

• In 17 games (13-4): 322-173-79-33-15, 62 TO (129-271 FG, 6-17 3P, 58-68 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 630.55

5. Dikembe Mutombo, Denver Nuggets

• 1991-92: 16.6 PTS (49/0/64), 12.3 REB, 3 BLK, 2 AST (3.5 TO), 0.6 STL

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 16.5 PER, 54.0 TS%, 0.086 WS/48, 0.0 BPM

• In 17 games (8-9): 324-239-36-14-48, 70 TO (118-254 FG, 0-0 3P, 88-128 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 634.2

• 1984-85: 28.2 PTS (52/17/85), 6.5 REB, 5.9 AST (3.5 TO), 2.4 STL, 0.8 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 25.8 PER, 59.2 TS%, .213 WS/48, 7.3 BPM

• In 17 games (8-9): 446-95-72-48-29, 64 TO (164-332 FG, 2-7 3P, 116-136 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 647.1

3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

• 2023-24: 19.2 PTS (43/28/82), 9.5 REB, 2.6 AST (3.6 TO), 1.3 STL, 2.6 BLK

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 17.3 PER, 52.3 TS%, -.0008 WS/48, -1.6 BPM

• In 17 games (3-14): 326-162-44-22-45, 61 TO (120-279 FG, 25-91 3P, 61-74 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 647.95

2. David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs

• 1989-90: 24.3 PTS (53/0/73), 12 REB, 3.9 BLK, 2.0 AST (3.1 TO), 1.7 STL

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 26.3 PER, 59.7 TS%, .241 WS/48, 6.9 BPM

• In 17 games (12-5): 387-218-27-29-44, 58 TO (128-232 FG, 0-0 3P, 131-185 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 693.35

• 1992-93: 23.4 PTS (56/0/59), 13.9 REB, 3.5 BLK, 1.9 AST (3.8 TO), 0.7 STL

• Advanced Rookie Stats: 22.9 PER, 58.4 TS%, .163 WS/48, 3.5 BPM

• In 17 games (8-9): 381-252-23-17-63, 70 TO (112-210 FG, 0-0 3P, 71-129 FT)

• Victor Vector Yahoo Fantasy Points (through Week 5): 706.25