Knicks’ Jalen Brunson defends Victor Wembanyama’s NIGHTMARE outing at the Summer League amid fans’ backlash directed towards the rookie
Jalen Brunson defends Victor Wembanyama's underwhelming Summer League debut
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Jalen Brunson (image via Jason Miller/Getty Images) and Victor Wembanyama (image via Lucas Peltier/USA Today Sports/Reuters)
San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama’s highly anticipated NBA debut in the Summer League did not meet the huge expectations of fans. The French talent struggled to find his rhythm on the court, scoring only 9 points from 2-for-13 shooting. Despite this lackluster performance, Wembanyama did manage to contribute with eight rebounds and five blocks, showcasing glimpses of his defensive prowess.
The Summer League serves as a platform for rookies to showcase their potential ahead of the regular season, but it can also be a challenging environment for young players. The pressure and expectations faced by these rookies can sometimes lead to disappointing performances. Jalen Brunson, a player for the New York Knicks, indirectly defended Wembanyama’s performance, highlighting the difficulties he himself faced during his Summer League experience.
In a tweet that seemed to mention to Wembanyama’s performance, Brunson admitted, “Summer league was my worst brand of basketball by far. It was horrendous.”
Brunson’s own record in the Summer League supports his claim, as he averaged just 7 points, three rebounds, and 4.3 assists, with a shooting percentage of only 19 percent. This suggests that early performances in the Summer League may not be an accurate reflection of a player’s potential.
Victor Wembanyama’s determination and potential for improvement
Considering Brunson’s own career trajectory, where he averaged 24 points and 6.2 assists in his first season with the New York Knicks, it is evident that growth and development can occur over time. This offers hope for Wembanyama, who has shown great potential throughout his basketball journey.
Wembanyama himself acknowledged his disappointment with his lackluster performance, admitting that he was unsure of himself on the court but determined to learn from the experience and be ready for the upcoming season. He made significant sacrifices by opting out of France’s FIBA World Cup squad to focus on his preparation for the NBA.
“Honestly, I didn’t really know what I was doing on the court tonight but I’m trying to learn for the next games,” Wembanyama said. “The important thing is to be ready for the season.”
With more Summer League games and the regular season ahead, there is still ample opportunity for Wembanyama to prove his critics wrong and demonstrate the incredible skills that have garnered him so much praise.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)