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SPORTS NOTES - NBA's VICTOR WEMBANYAMA = THE REAL DEAL FOR REAL

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As the votes and attention continue to build in observing how skilled and talented San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is, one thing is certain, we are lucky to see a player that has the potential to be the greatest NBA player ever - THIS DAY IN THE NBA - NBA's ALL TIME BEST PLAYERS 1st and 2nd TEAMS

Tuesday January 30, 2024

VICTOR THE GREAT

Yea, yea, sure, sure every time a player is touted to be the next big thing it takes a little thinking and play… the Missouri game… SHOW ME!

In the past NBA fans have been dosed with overblown credentials of the next great beg man in the league. There was Portland's choice in 2007 of Greg Oden and another poor Portland 1st round choice of Sam Bowie.

Bowie had the best career between the two. Oden may best be recognized as being chosen the 1st overall choice over now recognized all-time NBA super star Kevin Durant.

Well, well finally all of the touting of Frenchman Victor Wembanyama is proving that he, indeed… is worth all of the shouting about how great he is and being a franchise savior man.

He created such a stir that it is believed that teams were intentionally losing games to better their chances of winning the lottery to select him as their franchise savior.

Savior? We'll wait and see about that. For a 19-year-old young man when he entered the NBA to come out of the box firing on all cylinders is nothing less than astonishing. He's creating chatter around the league by scribes that he is the REAL DEAL… OF THE CENTURY WE MIGHT ADD.

Listen up… I'm so old that I've had the pleasure of seeing most of all of the greatest players in NBA history, except one, who was not playing while still in their prime. That exception is George Mikan. I saw him play a few times near the end of his career. Yes… being older than dirt has its rewards, that being experience.

During Mikan's era NBA play was somewhat stilted, not fluid. At time the play was somewhat herkie jerky. As the greatest college coach and pre NBA pro player John Wooden noted in 1990, is that players today are more athletic.

That was then and this is now 34 years later since our Wooden interview, players now have the advantage of using advanced technology, nutrition knowledge and videos from the history of the greatest players of all time to apply, view and learn from.

The talented, lets refer to him as Vic, turned 20 on January 4th. He's still a baby in NBA experience but thus far his numbers equate to a seasoned pro with stats of 20 points and 10 rebounds a game.

Not only being tall at 7'4", he can shoot the lights out of the basketball. He shoots 3's with no effort. He can shoot foul shots unlike the failure of two centers that are recognized by many in their era as being the greatest, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquielle O'Neal. The Frenchman appears to have Superman's nerves of steel.

Vic handles the ball like a guard. He has smooth, fluid motions unlike any big man I've ever see in the league. He has a tremendous wing span, better for blocking shots and can run the floor effortlessly with long strides.

The point being he's on a learning curve and producing numbers against some of the best in the league like Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Hey… these guys have to go street and get some nick names spelling there is a huge challenge. For Giannis I like G or GA or Big G. For Victor we'll stat with Vic or the Big Vic.

TV analysts and former great players say he has the best coach in the league to learn from in Gregg Popovich. The opinion is the Spurs are rebuilding and they're building it around Wembanyama.

The team lacks a true experienced point guard. Having one will take some of the weight off the center. A true point guard can set him up and free him up more which will strengthen the squad.

Pop as they say, is a taskmaster. He's a former Air Force Academy guy that likes order. He has a big bark but the players under him like it and understand his methods. Apparently… he was a way of switching from tough to soft when necessary.

Wembanyama is articulate and mature for his years. When he speaks he reminds me of the then one year out of school, Kevin Garnett. When I interviewed Garnett at the beginning of his second year in the league, and mentioned his maturity he questioned, "You think I'm mature?"

The same applies to Vic as his teammates seem to appreciate his talent and support his contributions and growth potential.

As Wembanyama learns the NBA and the teachings of Pop his body will thicken and add muscle. Currently he's so thin you could drink him through a straw. The same could be said of a young Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone and Dwight Howard. All of whom were extremely thin when they entered the league. I believe Victor is a bit thicker than they were when they started their NBA careers.

As the votes and attention continues to build in observing how skilled and talented this young man is. One thing is certain, we are lucky to see a player that has the potential to be the greatest NBA player ever.

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