The Los Angeles Lakers got their 12th win in their last 18 games on Friday when they got past the San Antonio Spurs 123-118. In some ways, it was a nondescript game, as the Spurs have the worst record in the Western Conference, and the Lakers almost seemed bored or complacent at times.
But it also gave L.A. another look at the NBA’s newest sensation: Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ 7-foot-4 rookie prodigy.
If Lakers fans weren’t convinced he is worthy of all the hype surrounding him, they should be convinced now. He scored 13 of San Antonio’s first 15 points of the game, and he finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and five blocked shots. It’s clear he’s already becoming a nightmare for the rest of the league.
LeBron James said after the game that the sky is the limit for Wembanyama.
LeBron James says Victor Wembanyama “has no ceiling” and also rattled off some of the most impressive rookies he’s seen in his career: Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Tyreke Evans among them pic.twitter.com/qkgtvf2E6m
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 24, 2024
“He doesn’t have a ceiling,” James said of Wembanyama. “He can do whatever he wants to do in his career. It seems like he enjoys the game. It seems like he puts the work in, just from the outside looking in. … I said a long time ago how special he was, and it’s really that simple.”
The rookie is averaging 20.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.3 blocked shots a game on the season. He’s leading the NBA in blocks per game, and he’s doing what he has been doing despite possessing only a rudimentary offensive arsenal.
It’s scary to think how great he will be in just two or three years when he’s still far away from even entering his prime.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is also impressed
Ham also had some very complimentary things to say about Wembanyama after the end of Friday’s game.
Darvin Ham speaks about LeBron Jame's return and praises Wembanyama's competitive nature. pic.twitter.com/RUVB0gPQBz
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 24, 2024
“… The thing that impresses me the most about him — he’s uber-talented, multi-faceted, highly skilled, but I think his biggest trait and quality that you can’t teach or coach is his competitive nature. He’s a competitive kid and he makes winning plays all the time. You see how he plays with his teammates. He’s trying to make the right play whether it’s for himself or for the others that’s out there with him, and defensively, chasing down shots, changing shots, blocking shots, coming up with strong rebounds. But again, those two intangibles — the ability to stay that competitive possession by possession and also make winning plays — I think for me personally, is the most competitive thing about him.”
Wembanyama has already shown that he may have the “clutch gene,” and he came into the league already talking about wanting to win a championship. Those are two rare qualities for any superstar, let alone one who is merely a rookie.
