Ever since San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama's dominant season-opening performance against the Dallas Mavericks, he has been the talk of the NBA. The Ringers' Bill Simmons has often showered Wembanyama with praise.
Even so, [he couldn't find the words](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Q4nJZVfF5YU) after Wembanyama's 40-point and 15-rebound demolition of the Mavs.
It's been fascinating to watch NBA analysts' reactions, with many praising Wembanyama for being more assertive in the paint. To their point, his 40-point performance was easily the best game of his career.
Even more impressive than his 44-point Christmas Day outburst against the New York Knicks and him dropping 52 points against the Washington Wizards. The Mavs have plenty of length and size, in theory making them a team that could have given him trouble. Not this version of Wembanyama, however.
Victor Wembanyama's offensive transformation draws praise
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Wembanyama has made a concerted effort to get easier shots in the paint, and it worked like a charm. He got Derek Lively III in foul trouble early, taking the 7'3" center out of the game. He also thoroughly cooked Anthony Davis, who, as Simmons points out, is one of the best defenders of his era.
Against the New Orleans Pelicans, he passed up threes he would have taken last season to drive and got himself a couple of easy dunks. Trading shots that he knocked down at a 35% clip for basically gimme's at the rim is an absolute nightmare for the rest of the league.
After all, despite not being seen as much of a threat inside the paint last season, he shot an incredible 58.6% on 9.9 attempts per game. Compare that to him shooting a shocking 69.2% on 19.5 2-point attempts per game in the team's first two regular season games.
Victor Wembanyama is finally living up to his full offensive potential
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That is Giannis Antetokounmpo-level efficiency inside the arc. What sets Wembanyama apart is his ability to knock down threes and hit free throws.
He already proved that he can shoot last season, and he is clearly trying to establish himself inside before mixing more threes into his shot diet. Fortunately, he's averaging 7.5 free throw attempts and is shooting 80% from the line.
If Wembanyama can continue to score at will in the paint, get to the line, and hit threes, it means that he could finally be putting it all together. That is a terrifying thought for the league.