Shaq just confirmed Victor Wembanyama's most chilling quotes have become reality

Victor Wembanyama warned everyone what kind of player he was a long time ago. The Alien was already building a reputation as an intimidating force, but when asked whether he was aware of the psychological impact that posterizing his opponents had on them, he responded by telling the media his goal was to traumatize them.

At the time, it sounded like brash confidence bordering on arrogance, but two years later, Shaquille O'Neal just basically (unintentionally) confirmed that Wemby has accomplished exactly what he set out to do.

Stephen A. and Shaq described exactly what Wembanyama wants opponents to feel

Stephen A. Smith, known for a hefty amount of brashness himself, pretty much told Shaq that Vic punked Chet Holmgren in the Western Conference Finals. O'Neal agreed with the take, claiming, "The eyes don't lie. That boy was terrified out there." That's as damning as it gets.

It's one thing for fans and analysts who have never played the game on such a high level to make such grandiose claims about a professional athlete. Whether we feel that way or not, the accusation holds less weight than it does when made by an ex-player and top-tier Hall of Famer.

That doesn't mean that Shaq is right about everything. He gets paid to give opinions, and plenty of them are wrong. But this is less of a subjective opinion and more of an observation. As someone who did play the game, The Big Diesel has experience spotting the fear in an overwhelmed player, and he spoke to that experience.

That's why Wemby's old words come racing back now.

Wembanyama told everyone this was his goal from the beginning

"Traumatizing, sometimes, is the goal."

Yup. He's doing that. Or how about the warning he issued after losing the gold medal game in the Paris Olympics to the United States when he said, "I'm worried for the opponents in the next couple of years"?

Most young stars talk about winning or improving, while Wemby was talking about instilling fear or worrying for other players. It's incredibly unique, refreshing, and fascinating to see him actually pull it off.

It's not just Chet Holmgren, either. Opponents hesitate before attacking the rim. Guards routinely pass out of drives they would normally attempt to finish when he rotates over. Big men think twice before challenging him inside. Now, Hall of Famers are describing the psychological impact he's having like he's Freddy Krueger.

Wemby's quotes were never empty confidence. They were a glimpse into how he viewed the game. Stephen A. Smith and Shaq's comments highlight a brutal reality for everyone else. The Spurs superstar has already become a player who changes the way they think before making a move. That's exactly what he said he wanted in Year 1.

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