Ralph Sampson's Wembanyama warning names a problem the Spurs spent June addressing

NBA legend Ralph Sampson recently discussed Victor Wembanyama and his lofty expectations this season. He made a key point about the importance of Wembanyama's health to his long-term success. Luckily, the San Antonio Spurs have already invested in a roster that makes sure this isn't a concern for their star player.

"Stay healthy. That's all I can say," Sampson stated while sitting down with Kyle Odegard of Action Network. "Keep doing what you're doing. The game has changed over the years. If he can stay healthy, he's going to star for a long time. But if you're not healthy, you can't play."

The Hall of Famer is 100% correct. This up-and-down pace of the modern NBA can be taxing on players, especially superstar-level centers like Wemby. But the Spurs' front office has already done a great job building a supporting cast that will lift an unhealthy burden off his shoulders.

Wemby doesn't have to do it all alone

The Spurs drafted Wembanyama to be a dominant two-way force. They need every bit of his scoring, playmaking, and gravity just as much as his knack for shutting down opponents on the other end.

But for a player to shine on both sides of the floor at such a high level, they can't carry the burden on their own. Wemby still needs a strong support system so he's not overworking himself, and the Spurs gave him just that.

While he's their top option on offense, players like Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and De'Aaron Fox can step up as reliable shot creators, so he's not carrying the scoring load on his own. The attention they attract actually helps Wemby get easier scoring opportunities near the basket.

This team also has great interior depth that can give Wembanyama some assistance with rebounding and paint protection. This allows him to exert the right amount of effort to compete on the defensive end without overtaxing himself.

Obviously, Wemby will be asked to do a ton since he is this team's best player. But a part of keeping a seven-footer like him available for the long run is making sure he's given a healthy plate of duties. That's exactly what makes this Spurs roster so effective.

The NBA playoffs showed the Spurs how to manage Wemby's longevity

While Wembanyama was great in his first playoff appearance, it was clear that the Spurs still had another level to reach in terms of building out his support system. The NBA Finals proved to them that he can only do so much on both ends before he loses steam.

Their lack of interior depth forced Mitch Johnson to hand him a heavy amount of minutes, and while he had some great moments, he did crash a bit against the New York Knicks. This wasn't a sustainable way for them to utilize their young star.

So they wisely drafted some additional big bodies in Jayden Quaintance, Tarris Reed Jr., and Maliq Brown. They also signed Tobias Harris to be another reliable safety valve on offense.

This team knows what they have in Wemby: a once-in-a-lifetime talent who can lead them to long-term success and a potential dynasty. They've already done the work to put him in an environment that optimizes his otherworldly skill set and superstar mentality

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