Victor Wembanyama Shrugs Off Pressure Despite 0-2 Deficit: “This is What I’m Built For”

Victor Wembanyama and his Spurs will face the daunting task of winning in front of noisy Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden.

Victor Wembanyama Shrugs Off Pressure Despite 0-2 Deficit: “This is What I’m Built For”

Victor Wembanyama not feeling the pressure (Image via FirstSportz)

No team losing its opening two home games has come back to win an NBA Finals. That means the odds are stacked against Victor Wembanyama and his San Antonio Spurs as they head into Game 3.

In the first game, their collective inexperience was on full display. Not only were the lanky center and his teammates struggling to get a grip of the moment, but Mitch Johnson was also outcoached.

This is their first playoff run as a group, and even the presence of veterans Harrison Barnes, Luke Kornet, and De’Aaron Fox was not enough for them to avoid struggling.

Many had warned about this lack of experience, but the Spurs had fought through both in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs and the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But the New York Knicks have a lot more experience combined. Not only have the players endured disappointments in the past two seasons, but they know what it feels like in big moments. However, it seems the Frenchman is not fazed.

At the end of the day, this is everything that I wish for, so there’s no reason to really overthink it… I mean, this is what I’m built for.

Victor Wembanyama said

This was his direct response when asked whether the pressure was getting to him as a 22-year-old player in the Finals. He said this with a sly smile on his face, making it evident that he does not care what the narratives are.

Sure, a lack of experience can be a disadvantage. But Victor Wembanyama is ready to dispel that notion, just as he has done in the playoffs so far.

RELATED
Victor Wembanyama Gets Extremely Emotional Thinking About Gregg Popovich After Reaching NBA Finals

Karl-Anthony Towns sings Victor Wembanyama’s praise

Victor Wembanyama will need to dig into his ‘no pressure’ mode when he faces the Knicks, or rather, Karl-Anthony Towns, in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.

Karl-Anthony Towns dunking over Victor Wembanyama
Karl-Anthony Towns dunking over Victor Wembanyama (Image via NBA on ESPN/X)

The veteran center has outperformed his younger opponent in both the first two games, which has led Charles Barkley to name him as the MVP so far. When asked about his battles against Wemby, KAT said:

It’s great when you get to go against a great player. A player that I’ve spoken about countless times, that’s gonna be a generational player, something we’ve never seen in the NBA before. To be able to go and play in this moment against the best is all you can ask for.

Karl-Anthony Towns replied

The New Jersey native acknowledging and speaking highly of the Spurs center is a mark of respect. The Knicks center knows what the 7’4″ is capable of doing, and believes he is about to be greater as time passes.

But for now, it is the 30-year-old winning the battle, as not only is Wembanyama struggling to adjust to his opponent’s quick moves, but also his range, as that is putting him out of position.

If the Spurs adjust their schemes for Game 3, it would be quite the battle, as the former first-overall pick can use his massive wingspan to alter the game.

RELATED
Victor Wembanyama Reaching Michael Jordan’s Level Will End Rivals’ Title Dreams, Say Analysts

OG Anunoby expects Victor Wembanyama to be ‘aggressive’ in Game 3

Knowing how a motivated Victor Wembanyama can wreak havoc, almost every New York Knicks player and coach was asked about him. When OG Anunoby was asked what version of the Spurs star he expects, he replied:

The usual. Aggressive, talented, relentless. The usual Wemby.

OG Anunoby said

The forward has seen the opposing team’s best player grow from a hyped rookie to becoming something no one has ever seen before. The Alien’s abilities are boundless, and that is what makes everyone in the league stand up and take notice.

That is why he does not expect anything less from Wemby when he suits up for Game 3. It also means that the Knicks are aware they could be having a task at their hands. They know he will be itching to fix his late Game 2 mistakes.

Also Read: