Wembanyama and why the new NBA season promises to become one of the best in history

More than 130 days without top-level basketball seems like an eternity. However, there are some performances that seem frozen in time and others that occur at the speed of light. Lebron James remains a phenomenon and prodigy, Stephen Curry continues to be the best shooter in the world, Nikola “this is my job and not a hobby” Jokic dominates the league with great ease and Victor Wembanyama is as good as advertised. This is how the 2023-2024 NBA season raises the curtain and returns with performances so impressive that there are not enough fingers on our hands to count them.

A champion who polishes his title

The Denver Nuggets led by Nikola Jokic, the reigning Finals MVP who averages a double-double of 26 PTS and 12 REB in just 5 games, started their path to the two-time championship on the right foot. Michael Malone’s team looks increasingly solid and has one of the most efficient starting lineups in the NBA. If the rotation players finish joining the orchestra, the Nuggets will definitely be the most powerful team in the league.

The giant of records

Victor Wembanyama has become the young sensation. The 19-year-old French center is responsible for the 5 million followers on Instagram that the Spurs account reached and for the San Antonio team to reach audience peaks never before recorded. In an average of 27 minutes of play he conquered the fans with his blocks, his three-pointers and faced the great stars Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant.

LeBron James, the machine man

At 38 years old, the Los Angeles Lakers forward goes around the world after becoming the first player to reach 35 PTS in a game in his twenty-first season in the league. Is ‘The King’ a phenomenon of nature? James has an enviable physical preparation and a winning mentality only comparable to the legends of Jordan and Kobe. He has a shooting percentage of 63% and 25 PTS per game in a season in which he plays fewer minutes and his appearances on the court are shorter. Which represents extreme care that keeps him away from his decline and reflects that LeBron is there for a while.

Dream debuts

The protagonists of this first week include young people and veterans. Damian Lillard arrived in Milwaukee and debuted scoring 39 PTS, something that not even the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo had achieved at the start of a season. This is a duo to pay attention to. Stephen Curry led the Warriors’ offense with nights above 40 PTS and 46% effectiveness from 3-point range. Tyrese Maxey gives new life to the 76ers by becoming the best player in the Eastern Conference with 30 PTS, 7 REB and 6 AST in just 3 games; while a young Dereck Lively left his partner Doncic speechless.

The best rookie crop since 2003?

There is a universe that goes beyond ‘Wemby’, the rookies of the 2023 class promise to set the bar high for those who come after them. Chet Holmgren, Scoot Henderson, Amen Thompson and Brandon Miller are some of the names who give their best in each of the games from the opening whistle. Although it is still early to evaluate its performance, its high level of competitiveness has caught the attention of experts and analysts. After all, who doesn’t hate an upset in the NBA?