Victor Wembanyama is a problem, and everybody knows it.
The San Antonio Spurs big man is a human highlight reel. It’s bad enough that the NBA Rookie of the Year race is seemingly over, but he also makes plays that defy human logic, including ridiculous no-look passes to keep a ball from going out of bounds. I’m sorry. WHAT?
Then, he tried his hand at a tip-off with Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry. Of course, it went exactly the way you think it did. (Golden State has nobody to blame but themselves.)
As the Spurs prepare to play the Dallas Mavericks in their season opener on Wednesday, Dallas player development coach God Shammod pulled out all the unconventionally hilarious stops to simulate how Wemby’s skillset can impact a game.
It’s official: Mavs are prepping for the Spurs, specifically 7-4 rookie Victor Wembanyama, with God Shammgod playing the role of Wemby. “Wemby! Wemby” he hollered while going out to defend Irving with his artificial Wemby length. pic.twitter.com/cKmgnP0M1n
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) October 21, 2023
Per Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News, Shammgod used artificial length — yes, artificial length ( AKA ginormous pads) — to prep players to face Wemby and the Spurs.
Shammgod is only six feet tall, so he needed a lot of help to get to Wembanyama’s 8-foot wingspan.
Of course, NBA fans immediately roasted Shammgod, letting the jokes fly.
his wingspan is longer than this, he’s quicker than this, his timing is better than this, and he jumps higher than this
they’re about to get #cooked https://t.co/Y2EtbEPGXF
— J (@jtakuz) October 21, 2023
NBA teams are already doing training solely to nullify a 19 year old. This is crazy. https://t.co/srfrzuilly
— The Footy with Broden Kelly (@thefootywithbro) October 22, 2023
All season long https://t.co/HEUhoq2a6o pic.twitter.com/udQcrWHbIO
— local bIogger (@fergoe) October 22, 2023
Zach Collins said tonight he has seen this video of Mavs coaches using canoe oars to approximate Wemby.
Collins' reaction: "I don't blame 'em. Sh-t." https://t.co/76UBcBhnQp
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) October 23, 2023
“Preparing for little ‘ol’ me?” —Wemby, probably… https://t.co/UScT8oImjz pic.twitter.com/gFF3QDFEgf
— Dr. Danny Sanders (@dannysanders80) October 21, 2023
Mavs equipment manager: is this the right length to mimic Wemby’s arms or should we do more?
Shammgod: https://t.co/wOwE8OxEls pic.twitter.com/Bi5loGuR1p
— charles snarkley (@yourguycharles) October 21, 2023
"ARTIFICIAL WEMBY LENGTH" https://t.co/IqeFDMXVQ7 pic.twitter.com/i6zLj9nRh3
— BLACK SABRE JR. (@ppolk72) October 22, 2023
I'd like to see one game where props are allowed. Just go full miniature golf. https://t.co/MX4lu065rU
— Michael Kelminson (@mjk2341) October 21, 2023
I know his shoulders are screaming https://t.co/OzVrSmubhv
— Dave DuFour 🐲 (@DaveDuFourNBA) October 22, 2023