San Antonio Spurs’ rookie Victor Wembanyama is living up to the hype, and the 7-foot-4 player has been drawing attention.
(Photo : Christian Petersen/Getty Images) PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Kevin Durant (#35) of the Phoenix Suns talks with Victor Wembanyama (#1) of the San Antonio Spurs following the NBA game at Footprint Center on November 02, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.
One of them is former Los Angeles Lakers defensive specialist Michael Cooper, who gave an intriguing comparison between the French beanpole and the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Lakers legend Michael Cooper on Victor Wembanyama 🗣
"He would be a player that I could not guard… Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] was always gonna get that shot off if he wanted to. But if you double and triple team, Kareem was always looking for that open player. [Wemby] for me is in… pic.twitter.com/RETqFPvBvn
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 7, 2023
“He would be a player that I could not guard… Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] was always gonna get that shot off if he wanted to. But if you double and triple team, Kareem was always looking for that open player. [Wemby] for me is in that category… The young man has a jump shot. Who’s gonna get up there and block his jumper? Nobody.”
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There is no doubt that once Victor Wembanyama finds his offensive groove, he is hard to stop. Also, the top pick of the 2023 NBA Draft is doing his share on the defensive side.
With Wembanyama’s height, opposing players struggle to get their normal shots up. Most need to adjust to get their shots up each time Wemby is on the floor.
Cooper was not the first to compare Wembanyama to Jabbar.
“Imagine if someone Abdul-Jabbar’s size could handle the ball like a guard, attack off the dribble and shoot fadeaway threes at will. This is what Wembanyama could be now,” the scribe pointed out.
Wembanyama is still human
Although he appears to be someone who would be a gem for any team, Wembanyama is still rough around the edges. That showed in the Spurs’ 111-152 loss to the Indiana Pacers, where he wound up with only 13 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and a block in 21 minutes of action, SI.com reported.
Capping off the lackadaisical showing of Wembanyama was this block from Pacers big man Isaiah Jackson in the second quarter.
Wemby gets DENIED at the rim 😳 pic.twitter.com/UmIXrF0eJ7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 7, 2023
It may be just one game, and Wemby is just in his rookie year. Once he figures out how to play consistently in the NBA, there is no doubt that he will be tough to stop.
In the seven games he has played this season, Wembanyama is averaging 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals in 28.9 minutes of action per Basketball-Reference.
