The OKC Thunder are 8-4 and fighting to stay in the top half of the playoff picture despite suffering numerous long-term injuries.
One of the main reasons they have been able to stay afloat has been rookie 7-footer Aday Mara. The Michigan product has impressed thus far, averaging 1.8 blocks and posting the league's lowest defensive field-goal percentage.
Drafted as a "Wemby Stopper" of sorts after OKC's devastating loss in last year's Western Conference Finals, he is living up to expectations. It also helps that he contributed to one of Victor Wembanyama's worst offensive performances in the season opener.
However, the Thunder aren't the only team that has learned from previous attempts to stop the Alien.
The Lakers shockingly sit atop the Western Conference at 11-2. Superstar Luka Doncic is having yet another all-world season, but it might be newly acquired Walker Kessler who has had the biggest impact.
After an offseason trade with the Utah Jazz, Kessler was brought in to shore up the defensive interior in Los Angeles, and he is doing so admirably.
The move came after the Lakers were dominated by Wemby and the Spurs last year, much like Oklahoma City.
Victor Wembanyama forces NBA-wide adjustments from Thunder, others
Los Angeles was 1-2 against San Antonio when Wemby played, averaging just 105.6 points on offense. Wemby also dominated, averaging 25 points and 11.3 rebounds, while getting to the free-throw line a combined 27 times.
In short, the Lakers had no answer for the Frenchman.
It's no secret as to why both Los Angeles and Oklahoma City invested in skyscraper defenders over the offseason.
At age 22, he is already the best player in the NBA in the eyes of many, and he looks like he's only getting better. This season, he has paired his impenetrable defense with a terrifying 30.3 points per game on the offensive end.
Fortunately, the roster adjustments by both of the aforementioned teams appear to be working.
Los Angeles looks improved defensively despite running the backcourt tandem of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves (both widely known defensive liabilities), and the Thunder, even without three of their starters, are constantly revolving in and out of a top-three record in the West.
Wemby might have changed the game, but the game is responding accordingly. Teams are getting bigger, and because of this, the Spurs might not have a straight shot back to the NBA Finals.
The Thunder, as well as others, now boast formidable Wemby stoppers down low, and the Spurs will assuredly be forced to make the necessary adjustments.
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