Magic Johnson knows a thing or two about NBA Finals matchups. The Lakers legend just raised the one concern about Victor Wembanyama that should make Spurs fans uncomfortable heading into Game 1 against the Knicks.
Johnson, posting on social media, pointed to Wembanyama’s tendency to drift to the perimeter on offense as the single biggest issue San Antonio needs to solve. The 7-foot-4 phenomenon has been incredible all postseason. He has also taken more than five three-point attempts per game across the conference finals against Oklahoma City. Magic thinks that needs to change against New York.
He is right.
The Knicks have center depth that they did not have a year ago. Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the most skilled big men in the league, but his defensive limitations against premier centers are well documented. Mitchell Robinson is a useful rim protector when healthy. Neither one is built to deal with Wembanyama working in the post or operating from the elbow.
When Wembanyama drifts to the three-point line, he removes himself from the matchup advantage the Spurs have built their entire offense around. Towns gets to defend in space, which is where he is best. Robinson gets to roam off and protect the rim. The Knicks defense gets reset.
When Wembanyama operates inside 15 feet, the Knicks have no answer. He shoots over Towns. He goes around Robinson. He draws double teams that open up Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell on the wings.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, in his return to the sideline this season, has spent the playoffs walking the line between letting Wembanyama play freely and structuring the offense to maximize his unique abilities. That balance gets tested against a Knicks team that defends with discipline and physicality, even if their personnel does not match up well one-on-one against Wemby.
Magic’s broader point is about playoff basketball philosophy. The teams that win in June are the ones whose stars take the matchup that is given to them. LeBron lived in the post against smaller defenders. Shaq punished anyone in his vicinity. Tim Duncan made his career off the high block. Wembanyama has every tool to do the same. He just has to actually do it.
The numbers back up the concern. Wembanyama shot 31 percent from three across the conference finals. He shot 64 percent inside 10 feet. Even average basketball players know which one is the better shot. The question is whether the Spurs star wants to embrace the unsexy version of dominance.
San Antonio is the favorite in the series according to most oddsmakers. Wemby is the betting favorite to win Finals MVP. None of that matters if New York’s perimeter defenders get to roam at the three-point line while the Spurs star settles for jumpers.
Magic Johnson watched Kareem do exactly what Wembanyama needs to do for over a decade. When he flags a concern, you listen.
Game 1 tips Wednesday. The Spurs have less than 48 hours to figure out the answer.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
