With Victor Wembanyama's debut comes the dawn of a different kind of NBA big man

Sports evolve.

The way a game was played 20 years ago – or in some cases even 3-5 years ago – isn’t the same as it is today. The innovators are scheming and dreaming, jotting and plotting.

The objectives remain the same: score a touchdown or prevent one, put the ball in the net or stop that, touch home plate or keep that from happening. The way to accomplish them changes based on different factors.

Rule changes. Philosophy. Analytics. Style. And above all else, the athletes. The evolution doesn’t exist without them, and their ability. They are stronger, faster, bigger, taller, smarter.

And then, along comes Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the June draft who makes his NBA regular-season debut Wednesday against Dallas (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

It is the most anticipated rookie debut since LeBron James’ first game in 2003.

Height: 7 feet, 3 inches tall. Wing span: 8 feet. Skillset: Elite.

With towering size and length, Wembanyama unlocks secret doors, and none more tantalizing than the ability to play smallball without going to a smaller lineup. He defends inside and on the perimeter, blocks shots, rebounds, handles the basketball, creates shots for himself and teammates, drives to the rim, shoots from outside.

Expectations for Wembanyama are out of proportion, but not surprising given the era of searing hot takes and 24/7 social media posts. Remember, Kobe Bryant started just six games and averaged 7.6 points his rookie season, and James didn’t make the All-Star team in 2003-04 – though he averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds. You knew it was the start of something great.

And Wembanyama brings that same once-in-a-generation potential.

Oklahoma City rookie Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft who missed last season with a foot injury, is 7-1 with a 7-6 wingspan. He also makes his regular-season debut Wednesday when the Thunder play Chicago.

Wembanyama and Holmgren are part of the ever-changing face of the modern-day NBA center. They are a product of the era in which they developed – where big men aren't limited to low-post play.

Size and bulk has been replaced by size, length and versatility. Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid is the closest the NBA has to a throwback center, but even he plays on the perimeter, shoots 3s and defends multiple positions.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra has preached position-less basketball for at least a decade. But it was one thing to take a 6-8 super-skilled player like James and let him run point and defend smaller players. It’s a little different when you’re a 7-footer.

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Even Denver two-time MVP Nikola Jokic has bulk, but he has a gifted skillset that allows him to play all over the court.

There is belief that even long, skilled players like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo would’ve played center instead of forward had they grown up in the same era as Wembanyama and Holmgren. And truth is, there are times – and will be this season – when Durant and Antetokounmpo are at the "center" position.

That size and length with an elite skillset helps on offense. But that will be a work in progress for Wembanyama as he learns how to score in the NBA. Efficiency, especially from the outside, might take time. It will be fun to watch his offense develop.

His size and length is also rewarding for the defense. Wembanyama’s preseason highlights illustrate that. He has blocked shots at the rim, at the 3-point line and in the mid-range. He has swiped at and stolen the basketball with his condor-like wingspan and then taken off for easy fastbreak points. There’s a viral video of him doing footwork drills in preparation of guarding smaller players. If he can defend 6-3 guards and 7-0 centers, the Spurs will have the makings of a great defense.

The next generation of NBA big men has arrived. It's both exhilarating and terrifying, depending on which side you're on.

Follow NBA columnist Jeff Zillgitt on X @JeffZillgitt