Victor Wembanyama is not the best player in the NBA right now. But the day was coming soon when he was considered the best basketball player in the world, and by his third season, at age 22, he was already a bonafide superstar.
The 7-foot-4 San Antonio Spurs center reminded everyone — but he didn’t need to — how otherworldly he is by scoring 25 points in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. All told, he finished with 40 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block on 13-of-20 shooting as the Spurs defeated the severely short-handed Lakers by 28 points.
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Los Angeles head coach J.J. Redick has to admit how problematic Vonbanyama is and how much of an impact the Frenchman has had on the young Spurs team.
“He’s one of the five best players in the world. He’s put such a stamp on himself that, for me, it’s more than just his stats because defensively he’s evasive and you’ve got to get defensive awareness from him. Sean [Sweeney] Their defense has done a great job this year and he’s been the centerpiece of it. His impact on the game doesn’t show up in the statistics. Above all, as a human being, he is unique. You can see the collective belief and collective culture they’ve built with him over the last few years. “
The Spurs currently have a record of 38 wins and 16 losses, ranking third in the NBA, and have won six consecutive games. Entering Wednesday, Vembanyana was averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and a league-high 2.7 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game.
On Wednesday, he scored 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks against the Golden State Warriors, nine of which came in the fourth quarter. He helped the team overcome a 16-point deficit and outscored the Warriors 32-19 in the fourth quarter to win 126-113.
If Wembanya only begins to fulfill his potential, the Lakers and the rest of the NBA will be in huge trouble.
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This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick on Victor Wembanyama’s true impact after loss to Spurs
