Victor Wembanyama is confident through shooting struggles — like going 2/15 from 3 in the first two games of this series — because he relies on his excellent habits to build confidence and find his rhythm on a daily basis
This footage is from pregame ahead of Game 2 of this series against the Timberwolves
Tonight the French phenom put up a playoffs career-high 39 points on a ridiculously efficient 13/19 FG (3/5 3s, 10/12 FT) to go with 15 boards, 5 blocks, joining Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq as the only other players in postseason history to do so
“I really been waiting since I been in the league to live those moments, those high stakes games. That’s what I love,” Wembanyama said during postgame
And that’s true. Wemby constantly played his best when it mattered during his final season overseas in France as an 18-year-old
Still just 22-years-old, Victor is truly just scratching the surface of his never-ending potential
Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best shooters to ever touch a basketball. His understanding of shooting mechanics is about as high-level as it gets, so thank you to @nbaonprime for sharing this segment featuring Dirk’s detailed advice for OG Anunoby this past offseason with the basketball community
“The pointer and the middle finger were the last two to touch the ball. That way you almost build like train tracks and the ball should always go straight. You should never miss left or right. If you shoot over one finger the ball can go left or right… Good shooters should only miss short or long not left and right…”
By the looks of things during the playoffs — and especially tonight with 26 points to lead the Knicks to a historic 83-36 halftime lead over Atlanta — OG appears to have taken Dirk’s words to heart. He’s made a scorching 56.7% 3PT% (17/30) in 4.5 playoff games during the best stretch of his career so far
Payton Pritchard was on fire from the start as he went for 32 points on 12/21 shooting (6/12 3s) in 35 minutes and was a major reason the Celtics dismantled the Sixers in Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead
Before every game Pritchard begins his workout with close range form shooting. The 6-foot-2 guard has turned himself into one of the most reliable and consistent bench players in the NBA thanks in large part to his relentless dedication and attention to the minor details that add up into epic performances
Despite seeing uneven playing time during his first three seasons the former first round pick out of Oregon kept working and stayed confident. In the process he has helped to pave the way for other undersized but skilled players to find their niche in the league
Ayo Dosunmu just became the third player in Minnesota franchise history to score 40+ in the playoffs. He exploded for a career-high 43 points on 13/17 shooting (5/5 3s, 12/12 FTs) off the bench as he willed the short handed T-Wolves past the Nuggets for a commanding 3-1 first round series lead as the action swings back to Denver for Game 5
Above is a reminder that young players like 26-year-old Ayo are constantly getting reps in behind the scenes. Dosunmu was focused on close range form shooting to begin his pregame workout routine early in his career with the Bulls
Great shooters don’t skip steps. They concentrate on the fundamentals and build off of them over time — just like Ayo Dosunmu
Wake up with Wemby hitting 24/25 3s from all around the arc during his pregame workout routine in Philadelphia earlier this season
Last night the 22-year-old phenom set San Antonio postseason debut records for 3s made (5) and points scored (35) as he led the Spurs to a Game 1 win over the Blazers
Victor has been working towards that kind of shooting night on the NBA’s playoffs stage for years, dating back to his time growing up in France
Wemby is, of course, blessed out his size, but he has been relentless at tweaking his shot to become as consistent as he could possibly be over the years. All of the attention he has paid to the minor details is adding up into the player he always wanted to be — and he’s just getting started
Victor Wembanyama just set San Antonio franchise playoffs debut high-water marks for scoring and 3s made with 35 points and 5 trays, respectively, as he led the Spurs past the Blazers for a Game 1 win over the Blazers
When you see Wemby go off just remember: For all of the highlights he generates his game is predicated on the fundamentals
Before every single game Wemby dials in with close range form shooting. He has done this since he was a teenage pro in France and has continued to do so the entire time he’s been in the NBA
If a generational player like Victor is willing to focus on the basics then why wouldn’t you if you’re serious about improving your game?
The reason Victor Wembanyama is so confident taking such a tough shot where he’s got to gather, set himself and rise on balance with almost no space in the corner is because he has practiced them for years
Regardless, his absurdly high skill level is an anomaly that we’ve never seen before from a player of his size
And considering he’s just 22-years-old and physically maturing before our eyes, the league is in serious trouble (as I’ve said for years)
Enjoy the ride 👽🛸
Victor Wembanyama altered the shot with his outrageous length, grabbed the board, pushed up court in transition, went behind his back, slowed down, gathered himself, went in-and-out, drove right, spun back to the middle and waltzed down the lane for an uncontested gentle lay-in
Just your averaged 7-foot-5 and 22-year-old in the first quarter of NBA postseason debut
Playoff Wemby is here and that’s a problem for the rest of the league
Jayson Tatum was patient, poised, smart, efficient and unselfish on his way to 12 points, 7 boards and 4 assists as he played all 12 minutes in his first playoff game since tearing his achilles last year in the second round at Madison Square Garden
Incredible resilience to even be out there, let alone dominating, less than a year after a devastating injury
The last play above — a look ahead transition pass with the clock winding down in the period — was most impressive. Some players would have missed that look and taken a heat check. Not Tatum
Luke Kennard led the NBA in 3-point percentage at 47.8% during the regular season. He went 5/5 from 3 and 9//13 overall from the field for a game-high 27 points and was a major factor in the Lakers beating the Rockets in Game 1 of their first round match up
It’s not a coincidence that one of the most consistent catch-and-shoot players in the league begins each and every workout with close and mid range form shooting. Kennard is dialed in in his balance, getting his feet square and finding his rhythm
No matter who you are there are no shortcuts to becoming an elite shooter
🎥 @lakers
