Victor Wembanyama’s biggest rival is no longer Chet Holmgren

Checking in on the Rockets, they've gotten back on track and remain at the top of the Western Conference standings. They've been led by Alperen Sengun. He's clearly their best player, and he's the true best candidate to be Victor Wembanyama's rival. Chet Holmgren may be tall and skinny; Wemby may not like him, if you believe recent reports, but there's a clear choice between him and Sengun.

Holmgren just isn't on Wemby's level

San Antonio's franchise star is averaging 26 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and nearly four blocks a game. He's the number one option on an emerging contender and touted as an eventual all-time great. His rival can't be a guy who's the second or third option on his own team. Holmgren is having a solid year, too, putting up 20 and 8, but it pales in comparison to what the other two are doing.

Sengun is averaging 23 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists as the organization's frontman. He's more worthy of the rival title, especially when you consider that he plays in Houston. There's no team the Spurs dislike more than their I-10 counterparts.

You can tell that Sengun locks in for the games against Wemby, too. That's what you want out of your rivalries. He takes it upon himself to challenge the all-great 7'5" monster, even if it results in getting his shot blocked a few times. That kind of fearlessness is what we need from our rivalries.

Chet will make some plays here and there, but he's part of a collective like the Borg from Star Trek. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the head of the snake, and everyone else falls in line and goes as he goes. If the 7'1" ex-Gonzaga star had a path to becoming the best player on his team, we could talk about his potential to eventually be Vic's equal, but right now, he's not close to that.

SGA is in his prime, and he's not going anywhere for a long time (hey, that rhymed), so Holmgren will maintain his secondary role for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Sengun is being referred to as Baby Joker, a nod to Denver's Nikola Jokic and their similar playstyles. Chet is just... Chet. It's an insult to act like he's the same level of competitor as Vic is.

So, OKC can be and is a rival to the entire Spurs team, yes. That's a reasonable statement. That's where it stops. If any other young big man in the league should be considered a foe for the extraterrestrial, it's Sengun, even if he is a little dirty.