The Wemby effect, when space and time distort in defense

The offensive performance of Victor Wembanyama against the Thunder, during Game 1 of the Western Conference final, obviously made an impression. With his 41 points and 24 rebounds, the Frenchman struck a big blow, on the floor of the double reigning MVP, who had just received his Michael Jordan trophy from the hands of Adam Silver…

“Wemby” showed that he was the “best player in the world”as Stephon Castle trumpeted at a press conference? The person concerned intelligently avoided the question. In any case, he clearly showed that he was the best “two-way player” in the world because his defensive impact was as enormous as his offensive impact.

However, the 3rd in votes for the MVP only finished with 3 counters… except that the “blocks” are only the visible part of the iceberg. With Victor Wembanyama, the most spectacular effect is in fact sometimes the one which does not fit into any classic statistical column: the moment when the attacker sees the circle, the Frenchman’s arms, then gives up.

Accelerated decision-making

“Someone told me, I think it was Joel Embiid, that he won’t break the record for blocks because players will be too afraid to shoot against him.” explained Nicolas Batum recently. The formula is almost paradoxical: Victor Wembanyama could be too dissuasive… and therefore reduce his own total of counterattacks.

This is what the “Wemby effect” is all about. It not only protects the circle, it completely modifies the mental geography of the field. Drives become shorter, floaters leave earlier, layups become disaster passes. Cooper Flagg summed it up after crossing paths with the Frenchman: “You have to mount your shot, and quickly, because he counters it every time. HAS” Faced with Victor Wembanyama, the decision time is compressed.

The data provided by BBall-Index makes it possible to visualize this phenomenon. When Victor Wembanyama is on the field, opponents have an eFG% of 49.8%, compared to 50.8% with Chet Holmgren and 51.4% with Rudy Gobertarguably the other two best rim protectors in today’s NBA.

The gap can be read geographically. Below the circle, the opponents are at 54.2% against Victor Wembanyama, 52.4% with Chet Holmgren and 55.6% with Rudy Gobert. But with the Spurs player, the blue invades the entire racket and intermediate zones, as if the attack lost its bearings as it approached the circle. As if Wemby, with his exceptional size and mobility, controlled everything inside the 3-point line…

A huge range of action

Chet Holmgren contests very loudly, Rudy Gobert organizes an entire defense with his presence, but Victor Wembanyama adds an additional layer: his range of action is enormous. He can be several meters from the action, then return to the field of fire. And even counter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s mid-range shots!

“It’s unique. He and Steph are probably the only ones with that type of gravitas.” detailed De’Aaron Fox. Stephen Curry stretches defenses as soon as he crosses midfield. Victor Wembanyama contracts attacks as soon as they approach the racket. One creates space through fear of shooting, the other removes space through fear of counterattack.

The Wall Street Journal even gave a name to these disappearing possessions: “nopes”, these actions where the attacker refuses to shoot simply because Victor Wembanyama is there. During the series against Portland, the site counted 56, or 14 per game. These are not counterattacks… because they are not even shots.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also recognized it after Game 1 of the conference final: facing Victor Wembanyama, it is not enough to attack, you also have to recalibrate each decision.

“It’s very big, very long, and it deters a lot of things near the circle,” explained MVP. “You have to be intelligent when you attack. Be patient, but also aggressive, and not be too shy. HAS” This is perhaps the best definition of the Wemby effect: a defender who not only blocks shots, but who forces attackers to think differently, faster, earlier, and often further from the rim than they would have liked.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = decisive passes; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.