Wembanyama highlights Annual NBA GM Survey with overwhelming nods to greatness

We’re about two weeks away from Victor Wembanyama beginning his sophomore campaign in the NBA. It makes one look back on his rookie season, which can be compared to the first Iron Man movie. San Antonio’s version of Tony Stark may not be a billionaire, but he’s the right man for the job of leading this franchise to heights unimagined before he arrived.

His rookie year was an explosive introduction, mesmerizing to all spectators who happened to catch a peek at the new talent set to lead a new tomorrow. One of the reasons the MCU was successful was that their movies were produced in a way that brought in fans outside of the comic book world. Wembanyama has done similar to the intrigue he’s brought to San Antonio.

The Spurs’ 21 national TV regular season games this season are a testament to that, as well as the two preseason games scheduled for NBATV.

Everyone understands there is something special growing in Alamo City, and who doesn’t want to be a part of something special? NBA general managers voted on several topics in the Annual NBA GM Survey, and the results are enlightening.

NBA GMs make their feelings on Wembanyama clear

What needs to be made clear is that this survey is a projection for the coming season. It’s difficult for some to look toward the future and extrapolate what you expect from a player when you haven’t seen it yet, but that’s the job of every GM in any sport. Evaluating talent comes with the title, so their expertise should be respected, especially when there is a consensus.

It's not the vote Wembanyama got for best center in an NBA that stars Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. The vote received as the best power forward was noteworthy, considering his worst stretch of the season was from that position last year, but that’s not what stands out the most.

In the defensive section, Wembanyama went on a run, claiming the most votes for three categories: interior defender, versatile defender, and best overall defensive player. Ball knowers know how versatile of a defender Bam Adebayo is, how strong of an interior presence Anthony Davis and Rudy Gobert are, and how much of a defensive savant Jrue Holiday is.

These aren’t fans getting caught up in hype or media members who may be falling into a storyline; these GMs all recognize this transcendent defensive talent, but that’s not the best part. Defense is spectacular, but to be the kind of superstar that executives would want to start their franchise with, they would need to have star potential on offense.

Well, there’s a consensus there as well. General Managers were asked which player they would start their franchise with today if they could sign any player. Wemby won in a landslide at 77%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic were tied for second at 10%, and the Spurs’ in-state rival Luka Doncic received 3%.

This NBA GM survey makes one thing clear. Nobody is taking the emergence of Wembanyama lightly. There are so many talented young players in the NBA. But there is only one Victor, and everyone knows it.