Will Wemby search revenge on TJD for poster in Warriors-Spurs? initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
San Antonio Spurs took Victor Wembanyama No. 1 general within the 2023 NBA draft hoping he would revitalize a once-elite franchise. The rookie supplied dozens of encouraging moments, however one lowlight additionally lives on.
Wembanyama was on the enterprise finish of a dunk by the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis. Not simply any dunk, however one worthy of posterization.
The second-year facilities meet for the primary time for the reason that dunk seen around the globe on Saturday when the Warriors (12-3) face the Spurs (8-8) at Frost Financial institution Heart in San Antonio. Tipoff is scheduled for five:30 p.m. PT, with NBC Sports activities Bay Space televising the sport.
Wembanyama has missed San Antonio’s final three video games with a proper knee contusion, however the 7-foot-4 Frenchman was upgraded from questionable to possible late Saturday morning and is anticipated to play.
Circumstances have modified significantly for Jackson-Davis since final March 11, when he ignored a six-inch top drawback and threw down a depraved left-handed jam over Wemby. TJD had began solely 4 NBA video games at the moment and got here off the bench to provide that spotlight. He’s now a fixture in Golden State’s beginning lineup.
Jackson-Davis has began all 15 video games and is averaging 8.5 factors and 5.3 rebounds whereas enjoying solely 17.3 minutes per sport. The one different Warrior to begin each sport is Draymond Inexperienced, who begins at energy ahead but in addition takes shifts at middle, as does Kevon Looney.
Whereas TJD adjusts to a barely completely different function – extra screening, passing and rim operating – his numbers have climbed over the previous couple of video games, averaging 11.5 factors, 9.5 rebounds and 20.2 minutes.
Wembanyama, who gained the Rookie of the 12 months award with a unanimous vote, additionally has altered his sport. His scoring is barely up (22.7 factors per sport to 21.4) and his assists are down barely (2.8 to three.9), however the largest distinction is his shot choice.
Practically half of Wemby’s pictures are fired from past the arc, as his 8.6 3-point makes an attempt per sport rank thirteenth within the NBA. For comparability’s sake, Stephen Curry is averaging 9.1.
May Wembanyama’s perimeter sport be used to drag Jackson-Davis out of the paint? That might be a ploy utilized by the Spurs, who with legendary coach Gregg Popovich on depart of absence will likely be coached by assistant Mitch Johnson, a former Stanford level guard.
The Warriors, nevertheless, in all probability choose Wemby to launch away. He’s taking pictures 33.9 p.c from distance.
But when Wembanyama is out for revenge towards TJD, he’ll make an exception. He’ll assault the rim in pursuit of his personal poster.
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