By two weeks, San Antonio Spurs heart Victor Wembanyama has lived as much as the hype.
Wembanyama is averaging 19.4 factors, 8.4 rebounds and a pair of.6 blocks per recreation (which ranks second within the NBA behind Anthony Davis’ 3.3).
The No. 1 decide led the Spurs to a win in opposition to the Phoenix Suns final week with a career-high 38 factors, plus 10 rebounds. He grew to become the third participant up to now 40 seasons to document at the very least 35 factors and 10 rebounds inside his first 5 profession video games, in accordance with ESPN Stats & Info. Wembanyama can be the third participant to document at the very least 120 factors and 15 blocks in his first six profession video games.
The 7-foot-4 heart can add one other chapter to his robust rookie season on Wednesday when he makes his debut at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York in opposition to the Knicks (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET).
In preparation for Wembanyama’s first recreation at MSG, listed here are some notable performances by a visiting rookie on the Backyard, which opened in 1968.
Elvin Hayes (1968)
The second-highest scoring output by a visiting rookie at MSG got here in 1968 (keep tuned for the gamers who’re tied for No. 1).
Taking part in for the San Diego Rockets, Hayes had 39 factors and 17 rebounds on 48.4% taking pictures. Remarkably, Hayes’ 39 factors wasn’t even near his highest whole through the 1968-69 season: He scored 54 factors, 45 factors and 40 factors (5 occasions).
Pete Maravich (1970), Jay Vincent (1982)
Maravich and Vincent are tied for the highest-scoring video games by a visiting rookie with 40 factors.
Then with the Atlanta Hawks, Maravich had 40 factors on 58% taking pictures with six rebounds and 6 assists in a nine-point loss. Maravich scored at the very least 40 factors two extra occasions as a rookie, and earned 1970-71 NBA All-Rookie Group honors.
Within the midst of a 21-point-per-game rookie season in 1981-82, Vincent had 40 factors on 77% taking pictures in his MSG debut, together with 10 rebounds. He was additionally named to the All-Rookie Group.
Michael Jordan (1985)
“His Airness” had many notable video games at Madison Sq. Backyard, together with a 55-point efficiency through the 1994-95 season. Jordan averaged 31.8 factors per recreation at MSG throughout his profession, the very best of any visiting participant (minimal 10 video games).
Jordan’s debut set the tone for his future performances on the Backyard. The Chicago Bulls’ 15-point win included a 33-point recreation from Jordan in 33 minutes of play. He additionally added eight rebounds, 5 assists, three steals and two blocks whereas taking pictures 68% from the sector, one in all his greatest single-game taking pictures percentages that season.
David Robinson (1989) and Tim Duncan (1997)
Wembanyama is the primary No. 1 total decide by the Spurs since Tim Duncan (1997). Each Duncan and David Robinson (additionally a Spurs No. 1 decide in 1987) confirmed out in New York throughout their respective debuts.
Robinson had 27 factors on 60% taking pictures, with six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Duncan had a patented double-double — 25 factors on 62% taking pictures with 10 rebounds — in addition to two blocks and one steal in a 17-point win.
Robinson and Duncan have been additionally every named Rookie of The Yr (1989-90 for Robinson; 1997-98 for Duncan), setting a excessive bar for Wembanyama.
If there’s one participant who understands what it is wish to enter the NBA with expectations just like Wembanyama’s, it is LeBron James.
Deemed “The Chosen One,” James has a profession common of 28 factors, 7.5 assists and 6.9 rebounds at MSG, however had a fairly quiet debut. James scored 22 factors on 35% taking pictures, including 5 rebounds, three assists and one steal in a six-point win for the Cavaliers. Like others on this checklist, he was named to the All-Rookie Group and in addition gained Rookie of the Yr honors.
Information from ESPN Stats & Info was used on this article.
