"A spectre is haunting the NBA the spectre of Victor Wembanyama. All the powers of the old guard have entered into a tenuous alliance to contain this unicorn: rivals Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards, the Oklahoma City radicals, and the one with the most to lose, Nikola Jokic. Everyone senses the shift, from the veterans of past champions to the new faces of the league. The Spurs are a basketball dynasty-in-waiting. The 7ft 4in (at least) forward from France signals an inevitable domination."
"Armed with a guard-like dribble, Defensive Player of the Year-type blocks, and Splash Brother-caliber three-pointers, San Antonio has become ground zero for the next great NBA team. For the second time this century. The MVP leap talk no longer feels premature. Barring injury, the 21-year-old Frenchman will finish top five in voting while earning All-NBA first team and Defensive Player of the Year honors."
"He's tighter with the ball now quicker decisions, zero hesitation, smoother footwork, cleaner finishes through traffic. The neophyte tremble is gone. He catches, drives and dictates a dish or dunk. In the post, you can see the fingerprints of Hakeem Olajuwon's influence: jab steps, drop steps, and pivots with balance. (That's not an accident.) On defense, he's warping possessions with an eight-foot wingspan."
Victor Wembanyama blends extraordinary height (7ft 4in) with guard-like dribbling, three-point shooting, elite shot-blocking, and transition speed. He shows improved decision-making, smoother footwork, and refined post moves influenced by Hakeem Olajuwon. Offense features perimeter attacks, screen rejection while drawing contact, and the ability to finish over other seven-footers. Defense features game-warping rim protection, long wingspan rebounding, and rapid push into transition. Expectations include top-five MVP voting, All-NBA First Team selection, and Defensive Player of the Year honors, barring injury. San Antonio projects as a budding dynasty centered on his rare skill set.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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