Anthony Gharib, ESPNReading: 5 minutes
Victor Wembanyama says he wants to break record
The San Antonio Spurs player scored 38 points in his team’s 132-121 victory over the Suns.
Michael Jordan and LeBron James produced some of the most eye-catching performances by road rookies in their debuts at Madison Square Garden, and Victor Wembunyama could join that list on Wednesday.
able Victor Vunbanyama Join the list of best garden debuts?
For two weeks, pivot san antonio spurs, Victor Vunbanyamalived up to expectations.
wembanyama He averaged 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game (second in the NBA behind Anthony Davis’ 3.3).
The No. 1 pick led the Spurs to a win over the Phoenix Suns last week, scoring a career-high 38 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He became the third player in the past 40 seasons to score at least 35 points and 10 rebounds in his first five career games, according to ESPN Stats & Information. wembanyama He is also the third player to score at least 120 points and 15 blocks in his first six career games.
The 7-foot-4 center will make his first appearance Wednesday, adding another chapter to his strong rookie season. madison square garden (MSG) New York vs. Knicks (ESPN Deportes, 7:30 p.m. ET.).
Preparing for the first game “Winby” inside MSGhere are some of the highlights from a visiting rookie at the Gardens opening in 1968.
Elvin Hayes(1968)
MSG’s second-highest scoring total by a visiting rookie came in 1968 (note the player tied for first).
While playing for the San Diego Rockets, Hayes scored 39 points and 17 rebounds on 48.4% shooting. Surprisingly, Hayes’ 39 points didn’t even come close to his scoring high in 1968-69: he scored 54, 45 and 40 points (five times).
Pete Maravich (1970), Jay Vincent (1982)
Maravich and Vincent tied for the most points scored by a visiting team rookie with 40 points.
When playing for the Atlanta Hawks that year, Maravich scored 40 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists on 58% shooting, but ultimately lost by 9 points. Maravich scored at least 40 points twice in his rookie season and earned 1970-71 NBA All-Rookie Team honors.
In his rookie season in 1981-82, Vincent scored 40 points and 10 rebounds on 77% shooting in his MSG debut. He was also named to the All-Rookie Team.
“His magnanimity” He made a lot of great plays in the game madison square gardenincluding a 55-point performance in the 1994-95 season. Jordan Season average of 31.8 points per game garden In his career, this is the highest of any visiting player (minimum 10 games).
‘s debut Jordan It set the tone for his future performances on New York’s main stages.Chicago Bulls win by 15 points in 33-point win Jordan in 33 minutes of play. He also contributed 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks while shooting 68% from the field, one of his best shooting rates in a single game that season.
David Robinson (1989) and Tim Duncan (1997)
wembanyama He is the first overall pick in this draft Tottenham from tim duncan (1997).Very Duncan like Dfanatical robinson (who was also selected No. 1 overall by the Spurs in 1987) appeared in New York during their respective debuts.
Robinson He scored 27 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks on 60% shooting. Duncan Scored a double-double (shooting 62%, 25 points and 10 rebounds) as well as 2 blocks and 1 steal, ultimately winning by 17 points.
Robinson and Duncan also named Rookie of the Year (Robinson 1989-90; Duncan 1997-98), for “Winby”.
If there is a player who understands what it is to reach the goal NBA expectations similar to wembanyama yes lebron james.
Considered the “Chosen One” james This season he averaged 28 points, 7.5 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game. MSGbut had a rather quiet debut. james He shot 35% from the field and scored 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. The team won by 6 points. Cavaliers. Like everyone else on this list, he was named to the All-Rookie team and earned Rookie of the Year honors.
This article uses data from ESPN Stats & Information.