Fans Call Out NBA Legend Isiah Thomas for Picking Victor Wembanyama Over Luka Doncic in ‘Championship Conversation’

Isiah Thomas backed Victor Wembanyama over Luka Doncic in the championship race.

Fans Call Out NBA Legend Isiah Thomas for Picking Victor Wembanyama Over Luka Doncic in ‘Championship Conversation’

Isiah Thomas on Victor W(Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Isiah Thomas chose Victor Wembanyama and Jaylen Brown over Luka Doncic as potential championship leaders.
  • Fans criticized Thomas for his pick, noting Doncic's previous NBA Finals appearance compared to Wembanyama's lack of playoff experience.
  • Thomas believes James Harden's influence helped shape Doncic's playing style in the NBA.

Over the last few weeks, Victor Wembanyama and Luka Doncic have been in hot form and have elevated their teams to championship contenders. The San Antonio Spurs sit at second place, while the Los Angeles Lakers are right behind at third in a highly competitive Western Conference standings.

Former NBA champion Isiah Thomas made an appearance on Run It Back and and picked Wembanyama and Jaylen Brown over Doncic as players who could lead their players to a championship.

Wemby & Jaylen Brown put you in championship conversation. Luka puts you in ‘Okay, we good in the playoffs…’ But we’re not talking about the Lakers winning a championship.

Isiah Thomas on Run It Back

Luka Doncic has been on a tear over the last month. The Slovenian joined the Lakers at the trade deadline last year and has been the primary scorer and ball-handler of the team. His performances during the Lakers’ impressive run have put him back in the MVP conversation. The Lakers guard leads the league in scoring and is currently averaging 33.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists.

Currently in his eighth season in the NBA, Doncic has grown into arguably one of the best offensive players in the league. There have been questions over his lack of defense, but he has shown himself to be an elite player during the playoffs, as he took the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024.

Meanwhile, another player who has taken the league by storm is Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs center is undoubtedly the best two-way player in the league at the moment. While he is a lock for the Defensive Player of the Year award, he made a case for himself for the MVP award a few days ago.

The Frenchman is currently averaging 24.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, three assists and 3.1 blocks. While Wemby and the rest of the squad lack playoff experience, he is a player who can shift the tide single-handedly.

With less than three weeks left in the regular season, Isiah Thomas sees the Spurs as serious NBA championship contenders over the Lakers.

NBA fans left surprised by Isiah Thomas choosing Victor Wembanyama over Luka Doncic

The Spurs are the only team this season to have a superior head-to-head over the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. They have played five times this season and the Spurs have come out on top in four of them.

Following Isiah Thomas’ pick, the NBA community took to the internet to react to his comments.

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Most fans disagreed with the two-time champion’s statements. Many pointed out that Doncic carried a team to the NBA Finals two years ago, whereas Wemby has yet to make a playoff appearance.

Isiah Thomas believes James Harden paved the way for Luka Doncic

Many believe that Luka Doncic’s style of play and offensive skillset resembles that of James Harden during his time with the Houston Rockets. During his time with the Rockets, he won the MVP award in 2018 and won three consecutive scoring titles from 2018-20.

Luka Doncic and James Harden
Luka Doncic and James Harden (Image credits – MARCA)

Hence, it is not surprising that Isiah Thomas believes that Harden paved the way for Doncic.

There’s no Luka if James harden doesn’t exist… James harden changed the game and he doesn’t get enough credit. Luka plays exactly how prime harden played in Houston. And the you couldn’t stop NOTHING!!!! Real hoop game with manipulation of the game to go in they favor OMG.

Isiah Thomas on X

James Harden is more of a playmaker today and is playing second fiddle to Donovan Mitchell in terms of scoring. Meanwhile, Doncic’s role in the Lakers is similar to that of Harden’s in Houston.

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