Victor Wembanyama’s inaugural year in the United States has been quite eventful. From the moment he arrived in San Antonio, he was greeted with admiration by Spurs fans, who eagerly embraced the number one overall draft pick. However, along with the praise came a whirlwind of obligations and pressures, as he navigated the intense competition and faced more losses than ever before in his career.
Despite these challenges, one of Wembanyama’s standout qualities is his self-awareness. He understands the expectations placed upon him and recognizes why people are fascinated by his talent. Despite the weight of his exceptional abilities, he remains steadfast in pursuing his personal goals of greatness. Even after unanimously winning the Rookie of the Year award, he continues to receive acknowledgment for his remarkable talent from some of the league’s best players.
Lillard’s remarks couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment.
During Anthony Edwards’ standout performances in the Denver Nuggets series, the media was quick to shower praise on Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards, with many dubbing him as the next face of the NBA due to his reminiscent style of play akin to Michael Jordan. However, such talk has started to simmer down now that the highly athletic 22-year-old from Georgia is facing the possibility of being swept by the Dallas Mavericks.
Undoubtedly, discussions about who will be the next face of the league will resurface, but this decision can’t be determined by mere votes or discussions. It’s an organic process influenced by popularity and undeniable greatness. Players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James have managed to transcend beyond basketball fans, capturing audiences worldwide.
Victor Wembanyama emerges as a prime candidate to attain such notoriety. While this viewpoint may be biased, it’s a stance easily supported by the French center’s exceptional blend of size and skill, underscored by his remarkable rookie season; and this is only the beginning. His marketability adds another dimension, particularly given the NBA’s desire to be a global phenomenon.
Focusing solely on basketball, Vic’s early exit from the playoffs seems to have led some to forget his recent remarkable performances in San Antonio. Damian Lillard’s acknowledgment of Wembanyama’s presence serves as a timely reminder. While Lillard isn’t the only one with high expectations for Wembanyama’s sophomore year, statements from a player of his caliber carry significant weight.
Victor possesses the drive and intangibles to claim the spotlight sooner than many realize. However, his most underrated attribute is his attitude. Wembanyama is determined to leave a lasting impact akin to Shang Tsung from Mortal Kombat, as evident from his thunderous plays during the season.
There’s no need to deceive ourselves. The identity of the next face of the league will naturally unfold over the next few seasons, but if Damian Lillard’s assessment holds true, a new era of dominance will commence in October.
To be frank, there appears to be a peculiar resistance to the idea of a foreign-born player becoming the next centerpiece of the league, a notion that needs to be overcome. It’s simply perplexing.
