NBA fans have seen freakish athletes before, from the sheer power Derrick Rose possessed to the ridiculous height of Yao Ming. Unfortunately, many of those guys have a habit of serious injuries derailing their careers way too soon. It's one of the things that makes LeBron James' history of health so amazing. San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama understands the history of players with his type of frame and continues to focus on ensuring a long and healthy career despite precedent.
Wembanyama's mindfulness is on another level
Recently, Tony Parker compared Wembanyama to LeBron because he's impervious to the pressures of the expectations heaped on his shoulders. The amount of hype that both of these players came into the game with was unprecedented, yet they handled it with the utmost grace. It's hard enough to perform at the NBA level without worrying about what the entire world thinks about every game you play—that's why you don't worry about it, which is easier said than done for most.
While Parker was right on the money with his comparison, he left out the self-management portion of the comparison. James is famous for the meticulous care he takes of his body; he is estimated to spend about $1.5 million a year on his diet and workout routine. It's the kind of dedication you only hear about from the greatest players. Not everyone has the mental fortitude to make the unwavering commitments necessary to accomplish the highest goals imaginable.
Fortunately for Spurs fans, Vic does. It's truly amazing to go from David Robinson to Tim Duncan and now have Victor Wembanyama as the face of the franchise. San Antonio is eating good. Just don't tell Charles Barkley.