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PBKS vs SRH, IPL 2026: Will Shreyas Iyer be banned if Punjab Kings is found guilty of slow over-rate again?  Punjab Kings is in danger of being hauled up for slow over-rate again after Arshdeep Singh delivered a 10-ball long over in its IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Maharaja Yadvindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on April 11.PBKS has been guilty of exceeding the time limit in both of its two completed matches so far, and skipper Shreyas Iyer was fined Rs. 24 lakh after its match against Chennai Super Kings.Will Shreyas Iyer be banned if Punjab Kings is found guilty of slow over-rate again?However, if PBKS is guilty of slow over-rates again, Shreyas will not be facing a ban as he would be according to old regulations.The IPL has quietly rewritten how it polices over-rate offences.In previous seasons, captains faced a one-match ban after three slow over-rate violations. That rule is now gone. Instead, the league has moved towards a system that prioritises financial penalties and in-game disadvantages over outright suspensions.The shift mirrors the International Cricket Council’s approach, with the introduction of demerit points. Every sanction imposed by the match referee adds to a player’s or official’s tally, and those points stay on record for 36 months. The threat, then, is less immediate but more cumulative, a slow burn rather than a sudden hit.It is not just the captain who pays.Under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct:The captain is fined Rs. 24 lakh for a second offenceEvery other member of the playing XI, including the Impact Player, is fined Rs. 6 lakh or 25% of their match fee (whichever is lower)There is also the possibility of in-match fielding restrictions, which can be far more damaging in tight contests than any post-match fine.Published on Apr 11, 2026  #PBKS #SRH #IPL #Shreyas #Iyer #banned #Punjab #Kings #guilty #slow #overrate

PBKS vs SRH, IPL 2026: Will Shreyas Iyer be banned if Punjab Kings is found guilty of slow over-rate again?

Punjab Kings is in danger of being hauled up for slow over-rate again after Arshdeep Singh delivered a 10-ball long over in its IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Maharaja Yadvindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on April 11.

PBKS has been guilty of exceeding the time limit in both of its two completed matches so far, and skipper Shreyas Iyer was fined Rs. 24 lakh after its match against Chennai Super Kings.

Will Shreyas Iyer be banned if Punjab Kings is found guilty of slow over-rate again?

However, if PBKS is guilty of slow over-rates again, Shreyas will not be facing a ban as he would be according to old regulations.

The IPL has quietly rewritten how it polices over-rate offences.

In previous seasons, captains faced a one-match ban after three slow over-rate violations. That rule is now gone. Instead, the league has moved towards a system that prioritises financial penalties and in-game disadvantages over outright suspensions.

The shift mirrors the International Cricket Council’s approach, with the introduction of demerit points. Every sanction imposed by the match referee adds to a player’s or official’s tally, and those points stay on record for 36 months. The threat, then, is less immediate but more cumulative, a slow burn rather than a sudden hit.

It is not just the captain who pays.

Under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct:

The captain is fined Rs. 24 lakh for a second offence

Every other member of the playing XI, including the Impact Player, is fined Rs. 6 lakh or 25% of their match fee (whichever is lower)

There is also the possibility of in-match fielding restrictions, which can be far more damaging in tight contests than any post-match fine.

Published on Apr 11, 2026

#PBKS #SRH #IPL #Shreyas #Iyer #banned #Punjab #Kings #guilty #slow #overrate

Punjab Kings is in danger of being hauled up for slow over-rate again after Arshdeep Singh delivered a 10-ball long over in its IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Maharaja Yadvindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on April 11.

PBKS has been guilty of exceeding the time limit in both of its two completed matches so far, and skipper Shreyas Iyer was fined Rs. 24 lakh after its match against Chennai Super Kings.

Will Shreyas Iyer be banned if Punjab Kings is found guilty of slow over-rate again?

However, if PBKS is guilty of slow over-rates again, Shreyas will not be facing a ban as he would be according to old regulations.

The IPL has quietly rewritten how it polices over-rate offences.

In previous seasons, captains faced a one-match ban after three slow over-rate violations. That rule is now gone. Instead, the league has moved towards a system that prioritises financial penalties and in-game disadvantages over outright suspensions.

The shift mirrors the International Cricket Council’s approach, with the introduction of demerit points. Every sanction imposed by the match referee adds to a player’s or official’s tally, and those points stay on record for 36 months. The threat, then, is less immediate but more cumulative, a slow burn rather than a sudden hit.

It is not just the captain who pays.

Under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct:

The captain is fined Rs. 24 lakh for a second offence

Every other member of the playing XI, including the Impact Player, is fined Rs. 6 lakh or 25% of their match fee (whichever is lower)

There is also the possibility of in-match fielding restrictions, which can be far more damaging in tight contests than any post-match fine.

Published on Apr 11, 2026

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Deadspin | Linus Ullmark, Senators blank sinking Islanders <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28707771.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28707771.jpg" alt="NHL: Ottawa Senators at New York Islanders" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 11, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders center Calum Ritchie (64) stands in front of Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) in the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alexander Wohl-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Ridly Greig scored a short-handed goal in the first period and Jake Sanderson added a power-play goal in the third, lifting the Ottawa Senators to a 3-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday afternoon in Elmont, N.Y.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Michael Amadio added an empty-net goal late in the third and Linus Ullmark stopped all 23 shots he faced for the Senators (43-27-10, 96 points), who won their fourth straight game.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>They can clinch a playoff berth for the second consecutive season if the New Jersey Devils defeat the Detroit Red Wings later on Saturday.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Senators and Boston Bruins (43-27-10, 96 points) are tied atop the wild-card standings. </p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Ilya Sorokin recorded 13 saves for the Islanders (43-32-5, 91 points), who went 0-for-5 on the power play. They fell to 1-1-0 under Peter DeBoer and lost for the fifth time in six games overall.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>New York’s only path to the playoffs is outlasting the Philadelphia Flyers for the third and final postseason spot in the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders entered Saturday one point behind the Flyers (40-27-12, 92 points), who are scheduled to visit the Winnipeg Jets later Saturday.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>The Islanders were in the midst of their first scoreless power play when the Senators notched the only goal they’d need.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Greig pestered Pageau and forced the puck loose in the Ottawa zone, where Amadio got a stick on the puck just before New York defenseman Tony DeAngelo. Amadio chased down the puck and dished a backhanded pass between Lee’s legs to Greig, who managed to flick a shot past Sorokin’s glove with Pageau in pursuit.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Defenseman Carson Soucy and Ryan Pulock were whistled for tripping 34 seconds apart to set up the 5-on-3 that led to the Senators’ second goal with 7:24 left. Dylan Cozens’ shot from the left faceoff circle glanced off Sorokin, who couldn’t smother the puck before Sanderson surged past Matthew Schaefer and buried the rebound.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Sorokin was pulled with more than five minutes left but the Islanders didn’t mount a serious threat before Amadio iced the win with 2:31 remaining.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Linus #Ullmark #Senators #blank #sinking #Islanders

Deadspin | Red Sox chase 10th straight win, aim to hand A’s 10th straight loss  Aug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Raymond Burgos (79) reacts after throwing the final out to beat the Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images   The Boston Red Sox can do no wrong these days. At least that’s the way it seems.  The Red Sox will enter their Saturday matchup against the visiting Athletics on a nine-game winning streak after recording a 13-1 victory on Friday in the opening contest of a three-game series.  Boston has won 11 of its last 12 games, 27 of its past 30 and 32 of its past 37 — the best streak in franchise history. The Friday victory was the Red Sox’s 12th in their past 14 home games and improved the team’s record to 29-29 at Fenway Park.  Boston has scored 25 runs in the past two games.  “It’s absolutely amazing,” left fielder Jarren Duran told WEEI following the latest triumph. “I remember at the beginning of the season the feeling was, ‘I hope we score.’ Now it’s gotten to the point of it’s just a matter of when we score and how much are we going to score.”  Catcher Jake Rogers and reliever Raymond Burgos, two players who may not be with the Red Sox for very long, made significant contributions on Friday.  Boston acquired Rogers when it traded for Adley Rutschman because the Red Sox needed a backup catcher until Rutschman is cleared to play after missing time due to left wrist inflammation. Rogers doubled in each of his first two at-bats on Friday. He also walked once, drove in a run and scored three times.  Rutschman hasn’t played since July 18, but following the Friday game, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the three-time All-Star is scheduled to catch five innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.   Burgos was called up from Worcester on Friday to fortify a depleted bullpen after Boston played a 13-inning game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He made his second major league appearance Friday night and tossed three scoreless innings to earn his first save. He retired each of the nine batters he faced.  The Athletics were limited to two hits in the defeat, which extended their losing streak to nine games. The A’s also parted ways with general manager David Forst on Friday. Forst had been with the organization for 27 seasons.  “For me, (Forst) gave me this opportunity to manage this club,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve faced our certain circumstances, challenges, together. That’s what’s tough about it. Not being able to see it through with him.  “My ask of (the players) is that they go out and win as many games as possible from this point forward.”  The Athletics will be hoping for a repeat performance when they send rookie Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. The left-hander was the winning pitcher when the Athletics beat the Red Sox 4-3 on July 28 — Boston’s last loss. He tossed six scoreless innings and struck out seven in that win, which is his only career appearance against the Red Sox.  Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90) is Boston’s scheduled starter. Bennett was the losing pitcher in that July 28 game against the Athletics, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. That was his only career appearance against the Athletics.  Despite that setback, Bennett is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his past eight starts.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Red #Sox #chase #10th #straight #win #aim #hand #10th #straight #lossAug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Raymond Burgos (79) reacts after throwing the final out to beat the Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox can do no wrong these days. At least that’s the way it seems.

The Red Sox will enter their Saturday matchup against the visiting Athletics on a nine-game winning streak after recording a 13-1 victory on Friday in the opening contest of a three-game series.

Boston has won 11 of its last 12 games, 27 of its past 30 and 32 of its past 37 — the best streak in franchise history. The Friday victory was the Red Sox’s 12th in their past 14 home games and improved the team’s record to 29-29 at Fenway Park.

Boston has scored 25 runs in the past two games.

“It’s absolutely amazing,” left fielder Jarren Duran told WEEI following the latest triumph. “I remember at the beginning of the season the feeling was, ‘I hope we score.’ Now it’s gotten to the point of it’s just a matter of when we score and how much are we going to score.”

Catcher Jake Rogers and reliever Raymond Burgos, two players who may not be with the Red Sox for very long, made significant contributions on Friday.

Boston acquired Rogers when it traded for Adley Rutschman because the Red Sox needed a backup catcher until Rutschman is cleared to play after missing time due to left wrist inflammation. Rogers doubled in each of his first two at-bats on Friday. He also walked once, drove in a run and scored three times.


Rutschman hasn’t played since July 18, but following the Friday game, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the three-time All-Star is scheduled to catch five innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Burgos was called up from Worcester on Friday to fortify a depleted bullpen after Boston played a 13-inning game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He made his second major league appearance Friday night and tossed three scoreless innings to earn his first save. He retired each of the nine batters he faced.

The Athletics were limited to two hits in the defeat, which extended their losing streak to nine games. The A’s also parted ways with general manager David Forst on Friday. Forst had been with the organization for 27 seasons.

“For me, (Forst) gave me this opportunity to manage this club,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve faced our certain circumstances, challenges, together. That’s what’s tough about it. Not being able to see it through with him.

“My ask of (the players) is that they go out and win as many games as possible from this point forward.”

The Athletics will be hoping for a repeat performance when they send rookie Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. The left-hander was the winning pitcher when the Athletics beat the Red Sox 4-3 on July 28 — Boston’s last loss. He tossed six scoreless innings and struck out seven in that win, which is his only career appearance against the Red Sox.

Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90) is Boston’s scheduled starter. Bennett was the losing pitcher in that July 28 game against the Athletics, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. That was his only career appearance against the Athletics.

Despite that setback, Bennett is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his past eight starts.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Red #Sox #chase #10th #straight #win #aim #hand #10th #straight #loss">Deadspin | Red Sox chase 10th straight win, aim to hand A’s 10th straight loss  Aug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Raymond Burgos (79) reacts after throwing the final out to beat the Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images   The Boston Red Sox can do no wrong these days. At least that’s the way it seems.  The Red Sox will enter their Saturday matchup against the visiting Athletics on a nine-game winning streak after recording a 13-1 victory on Friday in the opening contest of a three-game series.  Boston has won 11 of its last 12 games, 27 of its past 30 and 32 of its past 37 — the best streak in franchise history. The Friday victory was the Red Sox’s 12th in their past 14 home games and improved the team’s record to 29-29 at Fenway Park.  Boston has scored 25 runs in the past two games.  “It’s absolutely amazing,” left fielder Jarren Duran told WEEI following the latest triumph. “I remember at the beginning of the season the feeling was, ‘I hope we score.’ Now it’s gotten to the point of it’s just a matter of when we score and how much are we going to score.”  Catcher Jake Rogers and reliever Raymond Burgos, two players who may not be with the Red Sox for very long, made significant contributions on Friday.  Boston acquired Rogers when it traded for Adley Rutschman because the Red Sox needed a backup catcher until Rutschman is cleared to play after missing time due to left wrist inflammation. Rogers doubled in each of his first two at-bats on Friday. He also walked once, drove in a run and scored three times.  Rutschman hasn’t played since July 18, but following the Friday game, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said the three-time All-Star is scheduled to catch five innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.   Burgos was called up from Worcester on Friday to fortify a depleted bullpen after Boston played a 13-inning game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He made his second major league appearance Friday night and tossed three scoreless innings to earn his first save. He retired each of the nine batters he faced.  The Athletics were limited to two hits in the defeat, which extended their losing streak to nine games. The A’s also parted ways with general manager David Forst on Friday. Forst had been with the organization for 27 seasons.  “For me, (Forst) gave me this opportunity to manage this club,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve faced our certain circumstances, challenges, together. That’s what’s tough about it. Not being able to see it through with him.  “My ask of (the players) is that they go out and win as many games as possible from this point forward.”  The Athletics will be hoping for a repeat performance when they send rookie Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. The left-hander was the winning pitcher when the Athletics beat the Red Sox 4-3 on July 28 — Boston’s last loss. He tossed six scoreless innings and struck out seven in that win, which is his only career appearance against the Red Sox.  Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90) is Boston’s scheduled starter. Bennett was the losing pitcher in that July 28 game against the Athletics, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. That was his only career appearance against the Athletics.  Despite that setback, Bennett is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his past eight starts.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Red #Sox #chase #10th #straight #win #aim #hand #10th #straight #loss

Despite a bummer of an ending, it was obviously a wonderful year for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama morphed into arguably the best player in the world, and proved that he could drive winning at the highest levels by leading his team to an upset victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama turns 23 years old in the middle of next season, and he’ll be the presumptive favorite to win his first MVP. Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.

A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.

There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.

Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.

#Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA">Victor Wembanyama is working on Dirk Nowitzki’s fadeaway, and it might be over for the NBA  Despite a bummer of an ending, it was obviously a wonderful year for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama morphed into arguably the best player in the world, and proved that he could drive winning at the highest levels by leading his team to an upset victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama turns 23 years old in the middle of next season, and he’ll be the presumptive favorite to win his first MVP. Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.  #Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA

Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.

A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.

There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.

Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.

#Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA">Victor Wembanyama is working on Dirk Nowitzki’s fadeaway, and it might be over for the NBA

Despite a bummer of an ending, it was obviously a wonderful year for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama morphed into arguably the best player in the world, and proved that he could drive winning at the highest levels by leading his team to an upset victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama turns 23 years old in the middle of next season, and he’ll be the presumptive favorite to win his first MVP. Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.

A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.

There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.

Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.

#Victor #Wembanyama #working #Dirk #Nowitzkis #fadeaway #NBA

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