Former lottery pick marvels at Victor Wembanyama’s greatness

Many of the NBA's top players have been praising San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama of late. Especially after his performance in the NBA All-Star Game.

Whether they are current or former players, the consensus is that Wembanyama is quickly becoming the face of the NBA. Former lottery pick turned NBA analyst Jay Williams even went as far as to compare Wemby to Houston Rocket star Kevin Durant and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.

Williams even called him “the most unstoppable asset in the league." He wouldn't find many Spurs fans who'd disagree with that take. After all, San Antonio is an impressive 30-12 with Wemby, and they are on pace to win 58 games.

With Wemby leading the way, they could achieve their best record since 2018. His two-way impact should make him an MVP candidate. And if he is able to play 65 games, he could very well be in the mix with the Spurs having a chance to finish with the best record in the NBA.

Victor Wembanyama has turned the Spurs back into contenders

It isn't just the fact that he is averaging 24.5 points per game; it's how he's doing it. The Spurs have a balanced scoring attack where different players can go off every game, while Wembanyama is still able to get his in several ways.

Early in the season, Wembanyama played more out of the post. However, teams quickly adjusted by swarming him, forcing him to switch up and play more out on the perimeter.

Credit to him because he hasn't missed a beat, with him being even better playing inside and out rather than just operating out of the post.

Defensively, it's night and day when Wembanyama is on the floor compared to when he is off. San Antonio is 10 points per 100 possessions better defensively with Wembanyama, with him essentially putting a lid on the rim.

In a recent game against the Phoenix Suns, the Suns shot just 7-22 with him on the floor. He also had five blocks and currently leads the NBA in both blocks per game and total rejections.

Victor Wembanyama's two-way impact makes him the real MVP

As a result, Williams is right to praise Wembanyama, though I would argue that he has made a bigger impact on both sides of the ball than Curry or Durant ever did. Curry, at best, was average defensively, while Durant was well above average at his peak.

That being said, neither ever had a legitimate case to be the Defensive Player of the Year. Having someone average nearly 25 points per game and be arguably the best defender in the NBA is incredibly rare.

In fact, only two Defensive Player of the Year winners have ever averaged at least 24 points per game and won the award: Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson. If he stays healthy, Wembanyama will join them this season.

That would only further prove Williams' point about him being the most unstoppable asset in the NBA.