Victor Wembanyama has a massive obstacle standing between him and Tim Duncan

Victor Wembanyama is on an unbelievable pace to begin his NBA career. Three years in and he's already looked at as one of the best defenders to ever grace a basketball court. His ability to cover ground at his size allows him to block shots at a ridiculous rate, already putting him sixth on the Spurs' all-time blocks list (627).

However, he still has a way to pass a Hall of Famer from the same franchise, as Tim Duncan has the fifth-most blocks in league history (3,020). That says just as much about Timmy as it does Wemby. Vic may have the explosive numbers, but Duncan has the longevity.

If Vic maintains his average, it will take him another 9-10 healthy years to catch the Big Fundamental.

Wembanyama is already on a pace few defenders have ever reached

There are only four other players ever to average more than three blocks a game for their career. Mark Eaton, Manute Bol, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Elmore Smith.

Eaton tops that list with 3.5—exactly where Vic sits today. That's why it's only taken him three seasons to reach sixth on the Spurs' franchise list.

At his current pace, he'll reach third place in his fifth season, passing Artis Gilmore and Billy Paultz, but that's where he'll remain for a long time. Even David Robinson's 2,954 is a tall mountain to climb. Both players racked up those numbers because they played the game long enough to do so.

Duncan's greatest shot-blocking achievement was his longevity

Career records aren't built on one or two incredible seasons. Putting together a real portfolio takes time and patience. Duncan laced his sneakers up for 19 seasons, playing 1,392 games—that's the 11th-most in league history.

The greatest player in Spurs history never even averaged three blocks per game outright. He got close with 2.9 one season, but he only averaged 2.2 for his career. It's why Duncan is never mentioned when talking about the greatest shot blockers ever, despite racking up so many of them.

Staying healthy, elite, and available for nearly two decades shouldn't be underrated. That's what Wemby is battling against, but he's doing it with a more unique frame. The odds that he'll last long enough to catch Duncan are against him based on past players with his size, but if anyone can break the mold, it's the Alien.

The question now really isn't about whether Wemby can block shots at an all-time rate since it's already been answered. It's more about whether he can remain healthy and productive long enough to capitalize on it.

Every block brings him closer to Timmy, but eventually, every year that Vic doesn't pass him serves as a reminder of Duncan's sustained excellence.

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