Most NBA insiders projected Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to win around 42-44 games this season. In the unforgiving Western Conference, that meant fighting for a play-in tournament spot.
A week into the games, analyst Zach Lowe underlined how experts might have underrated Wembanyama and the Spurs. On his podcast on Monday, Lowe told guest and fellow analyst Kirk Goldsberry what he thought of the Wembanyama-led team:
“Every other team, from Golden State down to the Lakers, Grizzlies, has got to be absolutely crapping their pants because the Spurs are coming for a top 6 seed, at least a fight for it. And the argument for that, as it was before the season, is that this dude is so goddamn good.”
Like most analysts before the season started, Lowe predicted the OKC Thunder and the Denver Nuggets to battle for the top seed in the West. The Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and LA Clippers were favorites to earn an outright playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Lakers, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Spurs were expected to slug it out for play-in tournament spots.
However, the projection around the Spurs improved following Victor Wembanyama’s blistering start to the season. San Antonio is off to a perfect 4-0 slate behind the Frenchman’s stunning play. Wembanyama is averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 6.0 blocks, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
According to Lowe, the 7-foot-5 center has been so “goddamn good” that Wembanyama covers many of the Spurs’ loopholes.
### Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs Sit Atop Western Conference
The San Antonio Spurs remained unbeaten on Monday after whipping the Toronto Raptors 121-103. Victor Wembanyama’s 24 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists pushed the Spurs to their fourth straight win.
San Antonio now sits atop the Western Conference with a 4-0 record. The OKC Thunder, engaged in a seesaw battle with the Dallas Mavericks, are in second place with a 3-0 mark. As of presstime, the Golden State Warriors, LA Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and LA Clippers round off the top six with identical 2-1 records.
The most surprising development has been the Houston Rockets’ initial struggles with a jumbo roster. They own a 1-2 record, the second-worst in their conference.
The season is still early, so anything can happen. However, Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs look ready to challenge for at least a guaranteed spot in the 2026 playoffs.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-absolutely-crapping-pants-zach-lowe-sees-warriors-lakers-growing-uneasy-amid-victor-wembanyama-s-spurs-steep-ascension