The 2023-2024 NBA season saw one of the most eagerly awaited debuts in recent times.?Victor Wembanyama, a towering 7’4″ Frenchman, who was the first round’s #1 pick debuted for the San Antonio Spurs. His entrance has stirred debate over how head coach Gregg Popovich could employ the “next big thing” in basketball. His unusual combination of stature and skill set has even prompted former NBA player Gilbert Arenas to make an unusual analogy.

He, however, claimed that Wemby should not be compared to the likes of the famous Tim Duncan. Not only that, he even stated reasons as to why this comparison does not make sense.

Comparing Victor Wembanyama & Tim Duncan

Victor Wembanyama’s official regular season debut on October 25th, 2023, fell short of expectations. Wemby was, however, fouled out early in the game against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, ending with 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists. This underwhelming performance raised concerns about his approach to basketball and the role he should play on the court.

Gilbert Arenas boldly declared in the early days of Wembanyama’s NBA career that he would not suffer from fouls. However, Wembanyama’s first game, in which he had five personal fouls by the fourth quarter, swiftly proved him incorrect.

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Arenas, known for his firm beliefs, feels that Wemby is not suitable in the same way that Tim Duncan was. His reason was that Duncan was a post-up specialist and a dominant player at the low post throughout his career. Arenas stated, “He?s not Tim Duncan. So, you can?t put him in that spot, because he?s not Tim Duncan”.

He continues to add, “We already know it?s going to be a fail because he?s never been a post player. Tim Duncan was a post-player. That was his bread and butter. So, that?s just like saying, ‘When Tim comes in the league, play him like this! So, right now, he?s more guard-like. I would try to play him like AI!'”

Wembanyama, in Arenas’ opinion, is more equivalent to a guard because of his ability to cut to the basket and his quickness for a player of his stature. Arenas believes that comparing Wembanyama to Tim Duncan, a classic post-player, is a mistake. Instead, he opines that Wembanyama acts as a guard, similar to the legendary Allen Iverson, to highlight his special skills.

Can Wemby be a basketball great?

Victor Wembanyama’s game defies classification entirely. He is 7’4″ and has the quickness and ball-handling abilities of a guard, making him a unique challenge for both his teammates and opponents. While his debut was unimpressive in some ways, it’s crucial to remember that he’s just 19 years old. The young prodigy, however, has lots of time to improve his game.

Wembanyama’s dedication and drive to growth imply that when he grows in the league, we may witness a completely different player.

The comparison between Victor and Tim is unusual, but it emphasizes the distinctiveness of his game. As he begins his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs, the controversy surrounding his playing style will keep continuing to flare. Whether he develops into Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, or something altogether else, one thing is certain: the basketball world is anxious to watch how this unique talent will leave his imprint on the game.

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