Fred VanVleet Warns Fans About Overhyping Victor Wembanyama and Spurs Ahead of Playoffs

Fred VanVleet takes shots at San Antonio Spurs for getting overrated by the media.

Fred VanVleet Warns Fans About Overhyping Victor Wembanyama and Spurs Ahead of Playoffs

Fred VanVleet on San Antonio Spurs (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Fred VanVleet cautions against overhyping the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama before playoff success.
  • The Spurs currently hold a strong second place in the Western Conference with a 49-18 record.
  • Wembanyama is emerging as a top player, averaging 24.3 points and 11.2 rebounds this season.

Houston Rockets star Fred VanVleet knows what it takes to win an NBA championship. VanVleet played an instrumental role when the Toronto Raptors won the title in 2019. However, he will not be in the mix to do the same for the Rockets this season as he is yet to make a single appearance this campaign after suffering an ACL tear in the offseason.

After trading for Kevin Durant in the offseason last year, many believe that the Houston Rockets have elevated themselves as championship contenders this season. But another team is deemed to be the biggest threat to the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs are the only team to have a superior head-to-head record against the Thunder this season. They are currently placed second in the Western Conference standings with a 49-18 record and are three games behind OKC. Meanwhile, the Rockets are in fifth place in the standings with a 41-25 record.

Led by Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs have emerged as playoff contenders and are looking to have their best season in the last decade. Drafted by the Spurs in the 2003 NBA draft, the franchise look secured for years to come with Wemby within their ranks.

The Frenchman has been unstoppable on both ends of the floor this season and is undoubtedly the best two-way player in the league at the moment. His performances in the last few games have propelled him into the MVP conversation as he looks to win his first individual award in his third season in the NBA.

While the Spurs have taken the NBA world by storm, everyone isn’t convinced by their chances this season. One of them is Fred VanVleet.

On his Unguarded podcast, the former champion was not happy about the Spurs already getting respect before proving anything in the playoffs.

Have they won a playoff series? Everybody slow down. It’s a marathon. Not a sprint… Yeah Wemby is a alien. Castle is a really good player, Harper looks like a good player. They’re have a good year but what’s the finish line though? It’s easy to say all this in the moment. Being 100, they beat our a**. But anybody in the media taking victory laps when we was just beating they a**.

VanVleet does make a valid point. While the Spurs have been impressive this season, the majority of the roster does not have any playoff experience. Their lack of experience on the big stage may be their biggest drawback heading into the postseason. But with a player like Wembanyama within their ranks, anything is possible.

Can Victor Wembanyama lead the San Antonio Spurs to a sixth championship?

The Spurs have already taken a major leap this season compared to last year. With Wembanyama currently averaging 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in 52 appearances this season, the Spurs have a player who is destined for all-time greatness.

The French center almost suffered a significant hit to his NBA career when he was dealt a huge blow last season. But he has bounced back strongly and is a huge favorite to win his first Defensive Player of the Year award this year.

Victor Wembanyama's teammates have to shoulder the burden
Victor Wembanyama’s teammates have to shoulder the burden (Image via NBA)

The 7’4″ center is an anomaly. There has been no player of that size who moves like a guard, can shoot from range, and is a dominant shot-blocker. There is no doubt that the Spurs are the biggest threat to the Thunder’s title defense.

They have also shown that, with the likes of De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, they are a strong side even without Wemby in the lineup. With the right pieces around Wembanyama, the Spurs will be optimistic about their playoff chances this year.

Robert Parish warns the NBA about Victor Wembanyama’s dominance

It is widely believed that barring any long-term injury, Victor Wembanyama is bound to cement himself as one of the greatest players to have ever played in the NBA. He has been a Defensive Player of the Year candidate since his rookie season. 

Former Boston Celtics star and four-time champion Robert Parish said that the NBA may eventually need to adjust its rules to keep Wembanyama from dominating the league during his appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

He may be one of those players where they have to change the game for, rewrite the rules of the game. If he continues to develop on the trajectory that he’s on right now, they’re gonna have to change the game because he’s pretty much unguardable right now. He can get pretty much any shot he wants.

While Parish did not mention what rules, he believes that it is just a matter of time before the French star taps into his full potential, and the opposition will have no answer to him. His growth and trajectory with every passing season are scary for the rest of the NBA.

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