The Pistons lost an intense game Monday night against the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama's defensive presence made all the difference. With his unbelievable length and agility, Wemby was able to alter all the Pistons' shots in the paint and force them to rely on their outside shooting. His impact and Detroit's loss has reignited doubts about the Pistons' playoff potential.
Wembanyama's defensive impact is one of a kind
It's no surprise that Wembanyama had an outsized impact against a team that loves to score in the paint. He's officially listed at 7'4", but many fans think his true height is closer to 7'6". And he combines his height with an 8' wingspan and impeccable timing. This unique combination was always going to be a huge test for the Pistons offense.
Although the Pistons have seen a revival lately shooting the ball, especially star Cade Cunningham, it's still not their preferred method of attack. But Wembanyama can force an opposing offense to become overly reliant on their three-point shooting. Against the Pistons, he was able to effectively contest seemingly every shot taken in the paint when he was on the court.
It led to a particularly terrible shooting night for Cunningham, who finished 5-of-26 from the field. But the impact was felt across the entire Pistons roster. As a team, Detroit shot just 38% from the field - their worst mark of the entire season. Many shots that would usually be layups turned into tougher floaters with Wemby lurking, and the Pistons weren't able to hit them reliably.
The only times when the Pistons got easier looks at the rim seemed to be when Wemby was on the bench or during a fastbreak opportunity. But relying on intermittent spurts is not a sustainable offensive strategy. The Spurs also did a relatively good job taking care of the ball for most of the game, which limited the Pistons' runout opportunities.
The Pistons also did a good job battling on the boards for more easy looks. They had 20 total offensive rebounds and 22 second chance points as a result. But even on those plays, Wemby's length altered some shots and left the Pistons short of additional putbacks.
When the Pistons turned to their outside shooting instead, it wasn't pretty. They finished 7-of-36 from deep, just 19%. Obviously, that number will need to be higher against a top-tier opponent like the Spurs. This weakness could come back to haunt the Pistons against other playoff opponents as well. But it's important to remember that no one else impacts the game like Wembanyama does. Even the longest defenders in the East don't rival his shot-blocking presence.
Victor Wembanyama proved his unique impact against the Pistons and effectively shut down their offense. Next time they see him, the Pistons will need better ways to attack his enormous defensive reach.