Victor Wembanyama has seen a quick rise in attention, emerging as one of the league’s future superstars, reaching the NBA Finals with the San Antonio Spurs in just his third season.
He’s put up impressive numbers in his first postseason run, including a historic performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder to help win Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals in double overtime.
He’s also become somewhat polarizing, with some people suggesting he has a villainous side that’s also surfacing. Several of his aggressive plays during the NBA Playoffs drew harsh criticism, including after his career-first ejection for elbowing the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Naz Reid.
Ahead of the Spurs’ massive Game 5 in San Antonio against the Knicks, NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke with NBA TV about Wemby, praising the former No. 1 pick.
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“I’m amazed at Victor. Not just his play on the floor, but he’s such a curious young man. He’s a pleasure to talk to. He’s very worldly. He’s got amazing interests off the floor, but he’s really dedicated to his craft, and he’s got such a bright future ahead of him,” Silver said on NBA TV.
Silver’s remarks come days after much criticism and debate about the Spurs’ big man and his on-court play. While he’s had some impressive performances, he’s also had several controversial plays, including in the NBA Finals.
On a highly-discussed play, Wemby shoved New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson from near the back of his neck and head. The referees didn’t call a foul after the play, and the league didn’t give him a flagrant after their later review.
Many people believe that the league is giving Wemby “grace” to protect him from being suspended during a wildly popular NBA Finals. That seems to be true, but Silver hasn’t been willing to admit it, and instead decided it was best to continue promoting one of his brightest future stars.
Time will tell if Wemby emerges as a heroic superstar in the league or embraces that villainous side. Either way, it’s undeniable he’s one of the most talented basketball players the NBA and the world have seen since LeBron James’ arrival.
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