Reminiscing Own Rookie Struggles, Jason Kidd Hails ?Unicorn? Victor Wembanyama

We are barely a month into the new NBA season and Victor Wembanyama has already given fans and the world numerous highlights. After having a slow start in the preseason, Wembanyama has really taken a huge leap, doing things on the court that fans have not been privy to seeing before. With his slender 7’4 frame and awe-inspiring 8-foot wingspan, Wemby has treated fans to a highlight reel that even NBA veterans will be jealous of.

So, it is natural for players and even other coaches to praise him and his talent. Which is what Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd did. Kidd went on to shower praise on Wemby while reminiscing the good old days that he spent as a rookie in the league.

Jason Kidd talks about Victor Wembanyama

Jason Kidd sat down for an interview with the media after the Mavericks win over the Wizards. Kidd, who himself was a rookie more than a couple of decades ago, went on to talk about his initial days in the league and the struggles that came along with it.?While reminiscing, he went on to compare his rookie days with Victor Wembanyama’s and how things have changed over the years. Kidd also went on to give Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich his flowers on coaching Wemby and backed him to bring out the best in him over the coming years.

During the sit-down, Kidd said, ?At times we didn?t know where we were. It was a man?s game. You came to the paint, you got hit. They don?t care if you?re 19 or 20 years old. You had to respond, you couldn?t be soft.?

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?You had to earn your stripes and so, the keys weren?t given to you. You had to earn ?em. And so, the big things that he(Victor Wembanyama) is going through, with social media, every shot, every step he takes is highlighted.?

?He is a special human being. There are unicorns in the world and he?s one of them because he?s gonna be one of the best to probably ever do it. You can see that early on. And he is in the right place. Pop and those guys will bring him along and protect him.?

The difference in coaching and mentorship

Times have changed drastically since Jason Kidd?s rookie days to Wembanyama?s. It is true when Kidd said that rookies had to earn the respect of veterans from not just other teams but their own teams as well.

It did not matter how young you were or how good you played. But now, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich seems to have utter faith in Wembanyama and it does not seem as if he?s restricted much on the court.

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It is rare for Pop let one of his players all loose on the court and let them do what they want to. But in order to get Wembanyama as comfortable as possible, this may be a new coaching technique that Pop is attempting to implement.?

So far, it does not seem as if it has harmed the San Antonio Spurs. Let?s see how it works out in the coming weeks or months.