It's Wemby's World, and We're All Just Living in It.

Dallas Mavericks fans packed the arena Thursday night, eager to witness the dawn of a new era, as No. 1 pick and former Duke sensation Cooper Flagg made his NBA debut against the rival San Antonio Spurs. Many have labeled Flagg the best American prospect since Zion Williamson—or even LeBron James.

But while Flagg’s first game was modest—10 points on 4-of-13 shooting with 10 rebounds—it was Victor Wembanyama who stole the show, putting on a performance that defied human limits.

There aren’t enough adjectives for what Wembanyama did. Dominant. Mind-bending. Unreal. No 7-footer should move with that level of grace and coordination. Against a Dallas frontcourt anchored by Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington, and Dereck Lively—arguably one of the league’s toughest defensive units—he made the game look unfair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzmSytB6WVI

The 21-year-old’s offseason work was evident. After training with legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett and spending time at a monk retreat to refine his body control and focus, Wembanyama appeared to have evolved.

His growth showed early with a pass fake, two giant strides from beyond the arc, and a thunderous dunk while Davis refused to contest. A year ago, he’d have settled for a jumper. Soon after, he twisted midair to execute a reverse slam following a feed from Stephon Castle. His theatrics continued.

Facing Washington in the mid-post, Wembanyama jab-stepped, head-faked, then drove baseline for a reverse double-pump dunk—drawing contact from Davis on a play so absurd it looked like something out of The Matrix, even Mavericks fans couldn’t help but applaud.

The highlights kept coming, including a chasedown block on Lively, followed by a step-back three and a foul. NBA commentator Jay Bilas summed it up perfectly on the broadcast: “It’s like a dad playing against his son in the driveway.”

Later in the game, Wembanyama bullied Davis with a left-handed slam that made the All-Defensive big man look mortal. A vicious slam that showed the improved strength of the NBA's scariest player.

He finished with a ridiculous 40 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks, and zero turnovers—joining Moses Malone, Shaquille O’Neal, and Davis as the only players ever to do so. He also shattered George Gervin’s 48-year-old Spurs record for most points in a season opener (29) with his 40-point explosion.

 “I'm much more in control of myself. The mind, I'm not worried about because I saw what it's like to be confronted with potentially losing a lot, whether it's your career or your health, so I'm not taking this for granted anymore,” said Wembanyama in the postgame conference. “I'm having more fun now that I'm not struggling to move as much, and I know I still need to get better, and I'm still going to get better.”

NBA, take note. It’s officially Wemby's world—and we’re just living in it.

https://youtu.be/Ejq96lrdkI8?si=xw7XJsILt3JnpMSQ