At this point, Nikola Jokic is the only center in the NBA who can argue he’s better than Victor Wembanyama. Sort players by under 25 years old, regardless of position, and Wembanyama is easily the best in the world.
As a mobile, defensive-minded center, Wembanyama will never be able to shake the comparisons to contemporaries like Chet Holmgren, Evan Mobley, and Alex Sarr. Wemby is far and away better than that trio on both sides of the ball, although their playstyles are fairly similar.
While Wembanyama has unveiled a newer, physically dominating attack this season, his biggest rival has something he doesn’t: an NBA title.
GettySAN ANTONIO, TX – FEBRUARY 29: Center Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives towards the basket against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on February 29, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brien Aho/Getty Images)
Victor Wembanyama ‘Motivated’ By Chet Holmgren
Wembanyama was picked first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA Draft. Holmgren went second overall in 2022, although he didn’t make his debut until Wembanyama’s rookie season.
That year, the two went toe-to-toe for Rookie of the Year. It wasn’t until a dominant Spurs win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in late February that Wembanyama really ran away with it.
In that game, Wembanyama embarrassed Holmgren by rejecting a midrange jumpshot in crunch time, sealing the Spurs’ win.
While Wembanyama may be miles better as an individual, Holmgren and the Thunder have found playoff success, winning the title last season. Their rivalry isn’t new, but on the NBA stage, it’s picked up some intensity.
“They’ve been going back to under 20s, under 18, even,” prefaced ESPN’s Marc Spears. “Chet got the championship. Wemby doesn’t have a championship. I was told by somebody inside that room that Wemby is motivated by Chet having one up on him with the championship.”
At the time of writing, the Spurs and Thunder are the only 3-0 teams in the NBA. Expect Wembanyama to make sure that he soon finds the same team success as his biggest rival.
Victor Wembanyama’s Skills Are Unmatched
While Holmgren may have found team success, he is not the best player on his team. Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have him beat. That’s not to say Holmgren is a bad player, but he isn’t operating on the same level as Wembanyama.
Through three games this season, Wembanyama is averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, six blocks, and is shooting 61.1% inside the arc. Only four teams have more blocks than he does.
Wembanyama is only 21 years old but is already a frontrunner in the MVP race. Holmrgen is having a great season, posting 24.7 points and ten rebounds while shooting 42.1% from deep so far. He will likely be an All-Star this season, although Wembanyama is working on a different plane.
The Spurs and Thunder will meet for the first time this season on December 23. That game is immediately followed by a Christmas Day matchup. Expect both contests to be must-watch TV.
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