Last year, I wrote a story titled “2024 NBA Preview: Passing the NBA Torch.” The article served as a look at what to watch for in the upcoming season while recognizing that some of the game’s greats may be nearing the end of their playing days. After discussing the year’s major storylines and diving into a bit of nostalgia, I highlighted two of the league’s next generation of players poised to “take the torch” from NBA legends: Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama.
And they appear ready to do so.
Edwards and Wembanyama produced two of the greatest individual performances ever in a season debut. Out West in Portland, Ore., Edwards led his Minnesota Timberwolves down a trailblazed path to Rip City for an interconference and interdivisional matchup. After getting off to a slow start, the Timberwolves trailed 61-57 at halftime.
However, Edwards continued to stay in his groove. A breakaway dunk off an outlet pass from teammate Jaden McDaniels brought Edwards to an efficient 25 points with just over 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Yet Minnesota failed to cut into Portland’s lead, trailing 95-88 entering the final 15 minutes of action.
But that’s when the Timberwolves took a stand. Relying on their previously sixth-ranked defense, Minnesota began turning consecutive defensive stops into points on the other end. With the score at 107-103, Edwards drove left toward the basket against two defenders. Stopping near the short corner, he shook one defender with a step-back before nailing a long midrange jumper over the outstretched arm of the other.
Just a two-point game now.
With 1:15 left, Edwards found himself at the top of the key with the shot clock winding down. Again with the ball in his left hand, he took one dribble inside the arc before hopping back behind it on his right foot, dropping the Portland defender to the ground in the process.
Cash.
Edwards’ 3-pointer gave the Timberwolves a 114-112 lead, but he wasn’t done. With nine seconds left and Minnesota still up two at 116-114, Edwards had the ball on the left wing. After a double between-the-legs size-up, he again drove left before hitting another patented midrange step-back.
Ballgame.
Edwards finished with 41 points — the most ever by a Timberwolf in a season debut — along with seven rebounds on 50% shooting from the field and from 3-point range. Edwards told reporters at the Timberwolves’ Oct. 1 media day that an “MVP and championship” are his goals for the year, and he appears to be on the right track.
After missing an extended part of last season because of blood clots, Wembanyama used his prolonged offseason to rehab and return stronger both physically and mentally. His training caught mainstream attention after photos and videos surfaced of Wembanyama working out in the mountains of China. Being regarded as possibly the greatest basketball prospect of all time is not an easy title to live up to, but “Wemby” just might.
And much more.
Entering his third year in the NBA, Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs faced their in-state rival, the Dallas Mavericks, in a primetime matchup. Although the Mavericks were without star point guard Kyrie Irving, Wembanyama still faced All-Defensive big man Anthony Davis and rim protector Dereck Lively II.
The two squads were neck and neck throughout the first quarter, with neither team gaining much of a foothold. Wemby’s two opening dunks helped keep the Spurs within one point at 29-28 entering the short break. Then, the show began.
With 8:30 left in the second quarter, Wembanyama threw down a monstrous reverse slam off a near–midcourt alley-oop from teammate Stephon Castle. Near halftime, Wemby drove down the right baseline past his defender for an up-and-under reverse dunk, picking up the foul in the process. The play helped the Spurs take a 60-51 lead at the half, and they kept building on their momentum.
Out of the break, Wemby volleyball-spiked Lively’s layup attempt into Castle’s hands, who immediately gave it back to Wembanyama to let the 7-foot-4 center bring the ball up the court. At the top of the key, Wembanyama used a right-handed in-and-out crossover to get the defender on his hip. A couple of steps inside the 3-point line with the ball in his left hand, Wemby hit a between-the-legs, behind-the-back dribble combo to set up his step-back 3-pointer. Rising above his defender, his jumper — nearly unblockable — swished cleanly through the net, plus the foul.
Time to stir the pot.
Wembanyama ended the night with 40 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in a Spurs 125-92 blowout victory. If Wemby continues on this trajectory, he may give Edwards — and the rest of the league — a run for their money in the MVP race. Whether it’s Edwards, Wembanyama or another emerging superstar, it will be exciting to see who takes the NBA torch.
