In this season's NBA data statistics, you will find that many amazing data have been produced! In this era of small ball with a data explosion, star players can easily create NBA historical records, and teams have also set many historical records! This season, the Celtics set an NBA record, averaging 91.5 shots per game in 32 games played so far, including an astonishing average of 50.7 three-point attempts, accounting for 55.4% of all shots! They are the only team in NBA history to average over 50 three-point attempts per game and the only team with a three-point attempt ratio exceeding 50%! They are a true three-point powerhouse, with their five players on the court shooting crazy threes from the outside against any opponent, a true "five-out" approach! This differs from the Warriors' cut-and-pass system, where their style relies more on positioning and cuts to create open shots! The Celtics, on the other hand, stand behind the three-point line and shoot directly, making it difficult to win if their shooting touch isn't good!
The exaggerated stats put up by the players are even more numerous, with typical representatives like Jokic, Antetokounmpo, Wembanyama, Doncic, Trae Young, Towns, and others who have all put up single-game stats not seen before in NBA history this season! And today, we're talking about the main character, Wembanyama! So far this season, Wembanyama has played 27 games for the Spurs, averaging 33.1 minutes per game, scoring 25.5 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing out 3.8 assists, blocking 4 shots, and hitting 3.4 three-pointers per game, with shooting percentages of 47/35/88%! Just looking at these averages, Wembanyama has created several unique NBA records:
He is the first player in NBA history to average 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 3.5+ assists, and 4+ blocks per game, and he is also the first player in NBA history to average 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 4+ blocks, and hit 3+ three-pointers per game! And in today's game between the Spurs and the Timberwolves, he went 13-for-30 from the field, 4-for-12 from three-point range, scoring 34 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists, and blocking 2 shots, creating another NBA record that belongs solely to him: he has now had both three-pointers and blocks in 23 consecutive games, making him the first player in NBA history to achieve this feat! Before him, the most was Porzingis with 20 consecutive games! What's scary is that, according to Wembanyama's playing style, as long as he takes the court, there is a high probability that he will continue this record! In the future, Wembanyama is bound to continue to create many super-godlike NBA records for us!
Wembanyama is too special; he can hit super-long threes from the outside like Curry and use his physical gifts to overpower opponents inside like O'Neal! Standing at 2.24 meters tall, with a wingspan of 2.44 meters and a running jump ability of 1.1 meters, he can easily break above the rim, performing non-human basketball moves multiple times on the court, with rim protection, dunks, and layups! What's remarkable is that he is also a clutch player, unlike other young players, he has a great mentality in key moments and has made many crucial shots! With top-level physical talent in history, coupled with psychological quality far beyond his peers, and a unique playing style with dribbling, three-point shooting, and the ability to play inside, perhaps we are witnessing the growth of a supergiant of a new era in the NBA! With the addition of veterans Paul and Barnes during the offseason, this team quickly found its winning ways after the adjustment period, and now has a record of 16 wins and 16 losses, ranking tenth in the West, not without a chance to make the playoffs or even the playoffs!
The Paul Effect is coming again!
After being cut by the Warriors, Paul did not choose to lower his status and join a championship-contending team with a veteran minimum contract; instead, he chose to join the Spurs with a one-year, $11 million contract. In his twentieth year in the league, he is still earning millions, which only the greatest stars in NBA history have achieved! The Spurs were willing to offer him a multi-million dollar contract because they recognized Paul's leadership abilities. With a roster full of rookies, they needed a veteran to lead them to quick growth, and Paul was clearly the right choice. Another reason is that Popovich is nearing retirement age, and the Spurs need to find a suitable replacement for the head coaching position. Paul joined the Spurs as a player, and his career is nearing its end. He is considered the player with the most coaching potential among active players, which should also be within the Spurs' considerations! To some extent, the Spurs see him as Popovich's successor!
From a player's perspective, since entering the league, every team that first acquired Paul saw a significant increase in their win rate in the new season! After being selected by the Hornets, the team's win rate was only 22% the previous season, but after selecting Paul, it jumped to 46.3%. In his first season with the Clippers after leaving the Hornets, the Clippers' win rate soared to 60.6% from 39% the previous season. When he joined the Rockets from the Clippers, he also raised the team's win rate from 67.1% to 79.3%. After moving from the Rockets to the Thunder, the team's win rate increased from 59.8% to 61.1%, leading the originally intended-to-tank Thunder into the playoffs. When he joined the Suns from the Thunder, it was even more dramatic, directly raising the win rate from 46.6% to 70.8% and leading the team to the Finals! When he joined the Warriors from the Suns, the team's win rate also increased from 53.7% to 56.1%! And this season, after joining the Spurs, the team's win rate has gone from 26.8% last season to 50% now! This is the Paul Effect, where every team that acquires him sees a tangible increase in their win rate! And this season, it's happening again with the Spurs, it's too invincible!
It's worth noting that Paul not only leads teams to victory and into the playoffs, but he can also create the best record in team history! The Hornets (Pelicans)' 56-26, the Clippers' 57-25, the Rockets' 65-17, and the Suns' 64-18, the best records in the history of these four teams were all achieved under Paul's leadership! This proves his outstanding leadership abilities, and we have every reason to believe that this young Spurs team can grow rapidly under Paul's leadership and may even surprise us this season! So, finally, here's the question: throughout Paul's entire career, not winning a championship is his biggest regret. Do you think Paul can win a championship in the remaining time of his career? Welcome to discuss and exchange ideas!