Wenban Yama has grown taller again! This may be a gift or a curse for the Spurs

Among the many rumors surrounding the San Antonio Spurs, the recent situation of superstar Victor Vinbanyama has been widely ignored. Since the season reimbursement in February this year, Wenban Yama has basically faded out of the public eye, but recent signs show that the team's core has ushered in an important change. Although there is no official data yet, various signs indicate that since the joint NBA trial two years ago, Wenban Yama's height has continued to grow. At the time, his bare feet were 7 feet 3.5 inches (about 2.22 meters), but recent photos showed he looked taller.

Although the photo may have a perspective error, it can be seen from the photo of his teammate Stephen Castle recently won the Rookie of the Year with Wenban Yama, Spurs legend Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Duncan is officially 6 feet 11 inches (about 2.11 meters) tall, while Robinson is 7 feet 1 inches (about 2.16 meters), but Vinban Yama has not even stood up straight, but it is far beyond the "twin towers". Sorry, I have to describe it as a "tower".

Wenban Yama's continued height: It is not uncommon for the Spurs to grow 1-2 inches (about 2.5-5 cm) after the draft, and many players are still teenagers when they run. But if Vinban Yama's actual height is really 1-2 inches higher than the registered 7-foot-3.5 inches, it would be a double-edged sword for the Spurs.

At present, he is one of the highest players in the NBA. Memphis Grizzlies rookie Zach Eddie is 7 feet 3.75 inches (about 2.23 meters), but when the two are in the same frame, Vinban Yama is obviously at least two inches taller than Eddie. This means that he may be close to 7 feet 5.5 inches (about 2.27 meters), and this will have a profound impact - in history, players of this height rarely gained a foothold in the NBA, let alone a successful career.

Generally speaking, 7 feet 2 inches (about 2.18 meters) is the threshold for a player to have a long and efficient career, only Mark Eaton (7 feet 4 inches/2.24 meters) has played a long and successful career at such a height. Of course, Yao Ming is taller and better, but due to injuries, his career has not lasted.

Advantage: Unstoppable dominance

If Wenban Yama can stay healthy, his height growth will further amplify his dominance:

Offensive end: In the inside, his height will make it difficult for the opponent to defend. When holding the ball at a low post, it may force the opponent to double-team to create space for his teammates; jump shots with high shooting points can almost no one blocks, becoming an unsolvable weapon.

Defensive end: It is known for its top franchise protection ability (leading the league's total blocks and average blocks per game in the first two seasons). His height growth will further expand his deterrence in the penalty area and become a "natural barrier" for opponents to break through, while extending the defensive coverage and interfering with the passing route.

Hidden dangers: Health risks and unknown challenges

However, height surges also have hidden crises:

Injury hidden dangers: Additional height can put greater pressure on the knees and ankles, increasing the risk of chronic injury. Referring to Yao Ming's experience, physical load may shorten occupational life.

Scarcity of samples: NBA history lacks successful templates of similar heights. The Spurs need to explore their own training plans and tactical design to avoid repeating the mistakes of "high and large players who are prone to premature aging."

In any case, signs of continued height growth in Vinban Yama since the draft have attracted attention. If true, this may not only make him a "epoch-making beast with an integrated offense and defense" status, but may also become a potential threat that restricts the length of his career. The Spurs' future may be dependent on these inches of "sweet worries".