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via Imago
Nov 27, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) faces off against San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
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via Imago
Nov 27, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) faces off against San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Several NBA legends have been awestruck by Victor Wembanyama. As far as career projections, DeMarcus Cousins feels “at minimum, [Wemby will] be the greatest defensive player of all time”. At his size, the rim protection he provides is second to none. Currently, the sophomore center is averaging more blocks than any player in the league. However, as far as Defensive Player of The Year is concerned, there have been some complaints.
One of them came from Anthony Davis, a splendid defensive juggernaut in his own right. He acknowledged the behemoth shot blocker that Wembanyama is. However, he has his reservations. “Are we talking about just blocks?” he told Shams Charania. So far, the French phenom hadn’t had a chance to speak about it.
But tonight Wemby did respond.
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USA Today via Reuters
Nov 17, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Among his concerns, individual accolades fall at the very bottom. However, in the case he does win, Wembanyama doesn’t feel the narrative would be the reason. “I really don’t care about individual accolades. It’s not something I’m worried about. If I end up winning Defensive Player of The Year it means I’ve helped my team on that side of the court. It means I’m at my best and I am being rewarded for it,” he said about the same. Still, that wouldn’t be an accomplishment he is looking forward to. “At the end of the day the best reward is the wins,” he says.
However, as far as the parameters for the award itself, Wemby did somewhat agree with Davis on the specifics. “I’m not going to use excuses for it. If you ask me and I’m being honest of course I’m not going to say yeah it’s perfect. As I said I am a player. I’m never going to use anything as an excuse and I’m always going to try and be a better man,” Victor Wembanyama told the media.
It wasn’t the only pressing topic he would address. in the Spurs’ loss to the Clippers, Wemby nearly came to an altercation with Ivica Zubac after the Clippers center shoved him. In the aftermath, he expressed frustrations, feeling the officials don’t give him an equal whistle at times.
“Talking to the refs, of course, explaining myself. But for me, it doesn’t feel like it’s something I should influence. I’m a basketball player, I’m here to play, and yeah, this is why it’s frustrating. It’s not my job to do politics,” he said about the referees.
Does Anthony Davis have a point with Victor Wembanyama?
As far as shot blocking in concerned, there may not be any player in the NBA that has the acumen and ability that matches the 7’4″ center. Victor Wembanyama already has 153 blocks. That’s 60 more than the next best who is ironically Anthony Davis. To put it into greater perspective, Wemby has contested close to 430 shots so far.
It means more than a third of those possessions have ended in the Spur talisman swatting the shot.
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But as far as defense is concerned, the argument is larger. Steals is another statistic that accounts for a direct impact. That’s where the Hawks’ Dyson Daniels is a clear leader. Hence, the benchmark required to be a Defensive Player of The Year in this era still remains rather vague.
Even though Victor Wembanyama is an elite shot-stopper, he doesn’t rank highly in defensive win shares. Centers such as Evan Mobley and Alperen Sengun rank higher due to a system that relies on teamwork. And personally, it’s what seems to be the appropriate measure to evaluate candidates for the award.
Of course, individual statistics and impact are influential in a game. But like any other accolade, the impact those efforts have on a team’s success should be given greater importance. Compared to last season, Wembanyama has been the epicenter behind the Spurs’ ravishing improvements.
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Hence, he does have some foundation to win the award. But the defensive anchors that lead teams to a winning record will continue to feel they aren’t represented rightfully due to the statistical turnaround.
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Debate
Is Wembanyama truly the greatest defensive player, or is Davis right to question his all-around impact?
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What’s your perspective on:
Is Wembanyama truly the greatest defensive player, or is Davis right to question his all-around impact?
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