Victor Wembanyama Busts Major Myth Around Modern NBA: “People Actually Do Guard”

Victor Wembanyama pushed back against the idea that the modern NBA play style lack defense.

Victor Wembanyama Busts Major Myth Around Modern NBA: “People Actually Do Guard”

Victor Wembanyama has been in scorching hot form (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Victor Wembanyama challenges the notion that modern NBA lacks defense, asserting that players do guard effectively.
  • He is a leading candidate for both the Defensive Player of the Year and MVP awards this season.
  • The San Antonio Spurs are on an eight-game winning streak, currently sitting second in the Western Conference standings.

Drafted by the San Antonio Spurs as the number one pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Victor Wembanyama is currently in his third season in the NBA. When the Spurs drafted Wembanyama, they were banking on a player who could lead the franchise for years to come and it is already paying off.

The Spurs are showing no signs of slowing down as they registered a convincing 127-97 blowout over a Milwaukee Bucks without the services of Giannis Antetokounmpo at the Fiserv Forum on Saturday night. It was a demolition from start to finish as the Spurs were up by as many as 22 points at the end of the first half.

There is chatter outside of the NBA that the modern-day game notably lacks defensive elements. However, Wembanyama strongly disagreed with the claim.

Before I got here it’s a lot of talk about the NBA that nobody plays defense anymore or like there’s no defense in the NBA. I heard that a lot before coming here but it’s just not true. Players are just that good… People actually do guard in the NBA and do lots of scouting.

Victor Wembanyama in his post-match press conference

Over the last few years, there has been a strong notion that defense has declined considerably in the NBA. While it may seem true to many due to the high scoring games seen today, but it also goes on to show that the game has evolved and the growing talent in the league. If the offense is executed better, it will always triumph over elite defense.

Since setting foot into the NBA, Victor Wembanyama has been a defensive monster. He is undoubtedly the best two-way player and is a heavy favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

His offensive game has taken a leap this season as well, hence, the 22-year-old is viewed as a strong contender and laid out a three-point case for himself to win the MVP award. In the latest rankings, he surpassed reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and is at the top in the MVP race.

Tyrese Haliburton speaks on Victor Wembanyama campaigning himself as the MVP

When Victor Wembanyama laid out his case for league MVP, it split the NBA community in half. While some felt there was a level of arrogance and it was unnecessary to sway the voters with a speech, some former players like Dwyane Wade loved the mentality on display.

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who was ruled out for the entire season, weighed in on the Wembanyama debate.

He’s a rightful candidate. I’m not mad at him at all for that… I think that’s where our league has been headed for a long time where you see guys say ‘I want to be all defense this year’, and magically he gets all defense votes. That’s how our league has worked I feel like since I came in the league so I’m not surprised by it.

Tyrese Haliburton on NBA on Prime

With just eight games to go, the MVP race is heating up. SGA and Nikola Jokic are right at the heels of the Frenchman. Even Luka Doncic shouldn’t be counted as the Slovenian is on a historic run of his own despite dropping down in the rankings.

Can Victor Wembanyama win the MVP award?

With the Defensive Player of the Year already on lock for the Spurs center, he has made it clear that he wants to win the MVP award and will go all out for the remainder of the season. On Saturday night, Wembanyama recorded another double-double as he scored 23 points, 15 rebounds and six assists in under 31 minutes of action.

New York Knicks playing physical with Victor Wembanyama
New York Knicks playing physical with Victor Wembanyama (Image credits – KSL News)

The win over the Bucks extended the Spurs’ winning streak to eight games as they sit at second place in a highly competitive Western Conference standings. They are two games behind the defending champions, Oklahoma City Thunder. If the Spurs can finish ahead of the Thunder at the end of the season, then it is highly likely that Wembanyama will come out on top in the MVP race.

The French center is currently averaging 24.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, three assists and a league-high 3.1 blocks per game in 59 appearances. He still has to play at least six of their next eight games to reach the 65-game mark. If Wemanyama does win the MVP this year, he will be the youngest player to win the title in NBA history, beating Derick Rose, who won it at 22 years and 191 days old.

Also Read: