Victor Wembanyama has the physical measurements and the skills to become one of the best players in the NBA. Many are already predicting him to stake a claim in the NBA MVP race soon. The San Antonio Spurs star will be in year two and with better players around him to help him become elite. But legend of the game Shaquille O’Neal feels something might work against him.
The Big Aristotle was speaking with The Pat McAfee Show crew today. When asked about the possibility of Wembanyama dominating in the NBA in the coming years, O’Neal opined on the same.
Wemby is a great player. But I don’t really think you can be dominant when you shoot jumpers a lot. I think if he was an inside player at 7-foot-5, the answer would be yes. But when you shoot jumpers, you’re always going to go up and down.
Shaquille O’Neal said
For Shaquille O’Neal, the definition of dominance itself means he cannot put the Frenchman in that category. He feels if Wembanyama has to be dominant, he has to singularly affect one aspect of the game.
That means the opposition team will be forced to send help defenders when he is focusing on one area of scoring. But as he has a very wide array of shots, teams will never likely send over a help defender. That is what the 4-time NBA champion feels differentiates domination from an elite player.
O’Neal would prefer if Victor Wembanyama would focus on scoring on the inside. His jump shots stretch the floor which will never make an opposition defense fear him. They will scheme to counter his production, but not fear him as the NBA did during Shaquille O’Neal’s time.
Victor Wembanyama sent a warning sign to basketball world
Victor Wembanyama might have something to say about O’Neal’s analogy when the next NBA season starts. After missing out on gold at the Paris Olympics, he said this to Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express:
I’m learning, and I’m worried for the opponents in a couple of years.
Victor Wembanyama told Mike Finger
To that Finger asked if he meant the FIBA or NBA.
Everywhere.
Victor Wembanyama replied
That should be the warning the rest of the NBA needs to pay attention to. With that motivation, he could transcend new heights in basketball.
Victor Wembanyama, with a silver medal around his neck:
“I’m learning, and I’m worried for the opponents in a couple of years.”
In FIBA or the NBA?
“Everywhere.”
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) August 10, 2024
If he combines his basketball skills with his athletic ability and this level of motivation, the basketball world might as be worried. This year he has better teammates around him. That said, players heading into year 2 take a few steps further.
But a player with a fire inside might take a leap. If that leap comes about in year 2, he might be sitting alongside others not just in the DPOY race, but also the MVP and All-NBA teams. In due course, he might prove Shaquille O’Neal wrong.
