In the realm of professional basketball, the union of a seasoned point guard and a promising young center often sparks intrigue. When the player in question is the legendary Chris Paul and the rookie is the phenomenal Victor Wembanyama, that intrigue quickly morphs into captivation. As the 2024-25 NBA season unfolds, all eyes are on this unique pairing as they navigate the challenges of forging a successful partnership.
The Maestro and the Marvel
Chris Paul, a 20-year veteran renowned for his court vision and leadership, has made a career of elevating his teammates. From Tyson Chandler to DeAndre Jordan and Clint Capela, Paul’s alley-oop passes have been the stuff of highlight reels. Enter Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 French phenom whose blend of size, skill, and athleticism has earned him the moniker “alien” from none other than LeBron James.
On paper, the Paul-Wembanyama connection seems like a match made in basketball heaven. Reality, however, has proven more complex. As Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson noted, “It’s hard as a coach because you’re trying to talk to everybody at the same time and the game’s going on. So, to have someone like Chris, who probably has a better solution than I do, can actually be on the court with the ball, help, or affect that in real time is worth its weight in gold.”
Adapting to Uniqueness
The challenges in optimizing the Paul-Wembanyama partnership stem from the young center’s unique skill set. While most traditional big men operate primarily in the paint, Wembanyama’s ability to score from the perimeter adds a new wrinkle. Paul acknowledged the adjustment, stating, “I’ve never played with a center that I’ve set screens for. It’s different.”
Wembanyama, too, is learning to adapt. Opposing teams have resorted to physically defending him near the basket, prompting the rookie to showcase his perimeter game. In a November 13th win over the Washington Wizards, Wembanyama scored a career-high 50 points, with 12 coming off Paul assists – all on three-pointers.
“We want him to shoot those shots,” said teammate Julian Champagnie. “Teams are going to play him differently. Tonight, [it] was the 3. He’s not going to post up [Jonas] Valanciunas the whole game. That’s a big body. We want him to keep shooting [3s]. He’ll get them. He’s 7-5. So, there’s really no closeout that’s going to get to him.”
Julian Champagnie on Victor Wembanyama’s perimeter game
The Evolution Continues
As the season progresses, the Paul-Wembanyama connection continues to evolve. Paul has assisted on 98 of Wembanyama’s 295 points, the most of any passer-scorer combo in the league. Their postgame locker room chats often center on dissecting the game action and identifying areas for improvement.
The diversity in their collaborations is already evident. Of Paul’s 31 assists to Wembanyama, 15 have been on three-pointers, eight on dunks, and four on alley-oops. It’s a testament to Paul’s adaptability and Wembanyama’s unique skill set.
“I wish you guys could see the work that goes in, day in and day out,” Paul said. “You know how talented he is. But his will and want to get better, his will to want to work on things…the more games we play, I think we’ll get more familiar with each other.”
Chris Paul on his partnership with Victor Wembanyama
As the NBA watches this dynamic duo evolve, one thing is clear: the best is yet to come. With Paul’s leadership and Wembanyama’s limitless potential, the Spurs’ future looks bright. The alley-oops will come, but for now, the evolution continues one game at a time.
