Last night NBA fans got to witness a match up between two young stars that is likely to be covered intensely throughout the next decade, as Victor Wembenyama and Chet Holmgren faced each other for the first time. The game was largely unexciting due to Oklahoma's dominance throughout the game, but it was interesting to see how the young studs played in their first encounter against one another. A lot has been made of these two in the opening weeks of the season, as both players inherit big reputations and have gotten off to great starts on their respective teams. Wembenyama is currently averaging a team leading 18.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks while Holmgren is scoring 15.7 points per game shooting 52.7% from the field and 46.3% from three. Both players are actively competing for this years rookie of the year award and it is likely they will be competing for a plethora of awards for years to come.
How both players played last night
Victor Wembenyama got off to a decent start. In the first quarter, he had a couple field goals to go along with 2 offensive rebounds. He actually ended the game with a healthy 14 rebounds, which proved to be the most procured by any player in the game. It is no surprise that rebounding is a strength of his. Standing at 7'4 - 7'5+ with shoes on - rebounding will probably be a strength of his for years to come. Defensively he looked solid as well. His activity on the defensive side of the ball is noticeable and it is clear that he will be one of the best weak side defenders in the league once he is better adjusted to the pace of the game. He ended the game with two blocks, the second most on his team. However, it is offensively where he struggled in this game. As previously mentioned, he needs time to become accustomed to NBA life because as of now, his shot selection and decision making on the attack is currently inefficient and fragmented. Wemby only made 4 out of a possible 15 shots and failed to hit a three pointer in the game. He appears to be rushing possessions, shooting only a few seconds after receiving the ball. Perhaps moving forward, he should be looking at letting the game come to him as opposed to hunting aggressively for opportunities.
Chet Holmgren also suffered from the same issues facing his rival, the speed of the game seems to be a problem for both of them. This is to be expected though as they are both only 11 games into their NBA careers. Holmgren only made 30% of his field goal attempts. He did manage to make a three pointer however. Similar to Wemby, Chet did most of his work on the defensive side of the floor, finishing the game with 2 steals and a block. Against the Cavaliers earlier in the season, Holmgren managed to accumulate an absurd 7 blocks which reveals his already solid defensive foundations. At 7'1 with a 7'6 wingspan, the former Gonzaga commit will be a hindrance for NBA team's offence. Furthermore, in 30 minutes of action Chet also had the best +/- on the court, highlighting his overall influence in the game. It is positive to see that even when he struggles shooting the basketball, he is still able to fill up the stat sheet and effect the game positively for his team.
How their teams currently look
OKC were always likely to be the winner in this encounter and that is exactly what happened. Their starting five was very dynamic and played with great pace and intensity throughout the game. The bench unit also contributed well in a victory which proved to be routine. The team managed to accumulate 19 steals and star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander almost had half of these. Heading into half time, OKC had a 10 point lead to protect and after half, not only did they protect it, they built on it as they scored 33 points in the third quarter. It was a great home victory for the Thunder and they will look to carry this momentum into their next game against the Golden State Warriors.
On the other hand, the Spurs are struggling on all fronts. That loss last night was their sixth defeat in a row and seventh of the season. They have only played 11 games. No one expected them to be challenging for a title this year, but I am sure coach Popovich and the Spurs players would have been hoping for a better start to the season. They struggled to find their rhythm last night, as they have done all season. Their shooting woes continue and as a team they struggle to defend the perimeter. Their shooting percentages across the board last night were terrible and they only managed to get to the line 9 times. It is imperative that their free throw attempts per game increase as it will help them build in-game momentum while simultaneously alleviating pressure on their sub par defence.
What to expect from the rookies in the near and distant future
Now, as it pertains to Chet and Wemby, I like them both to continue their positive starts to the season. With their size and skill, their defensive dominance is likely to be prevalent throughout the year and it will probably make up for the slight frailties they have on the offensive side of the floor. Both of them are 1 and 2 in the current Rookie of the Year standings and this is also likely to continue as both of them are clearly the best rookies in this class. Both players have bright futures. Chet is probably going to obtain earlier play-off success as his team is just unequivocally better. Popovich will continue to curate this Spurs team in a way that utilises Wembenyama's extraordinary ability in the most optimal way.