Victor Wembanyama just humiliated NBA's SGA-for-MVP logic in real time

The Spurs just took OKC down in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, and Victor Wembanyama made a thunderous statement in the process. The Alien put up 41 points, 24 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks in a 122-115 double overtime win over the defending champs, proving what value truly looks like on the micro and macro scales.

Wembanyama received only 5 first-place MVP votes, count 'em, 5. It's the most egregious disrespect I've seen for someone this crucial to his team's success. Vic clearly felt the same and made the Thunder pay for it. His performance was one of the best we've ever seen on this stage, and it was his first time on it. Value was redefined in Game 1, and the voters had better take note for next season.

Wembanyama was the biggest difference in Spurs' Game 1 win

The Spurs had a tremendous game plan and executed it to near perfection. They trapped Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, showing multiple bodies throughout the night to make him uncomfortable. He barely scored at all in the first half, and that was by design—San Antonio's design.

Wembanyama was the linchpin for everything that worked for the Spurs. He deterred would-be drivers, and he blocked shots. When he wasn't scoring, he was warping OKC's defense. That opened up lanes and shots for other guys, and his teammates didn't let him down. It was an all-encompassing performance that illustrated how impactful he is on a nightly basis. He doesn't have to score 41 to show it.

There was a moment at the end of regulation when the Thunder took SGA out of the game for their last defensive possession. It worked out for them, but I couldn't help but make a note of Mark Daigneault's decision. There will never be a time when Mitch Johnson takes Wemby out of the game for an important possession on either side of the ball.

It was clear that Gilgeous-Alexander couldn't make much of an impact without the ball in his hands. He's special when he has space to work and even awesome without as much space, as he put up 24 points and 12 assists. But on a night when he was awarded the MVP trophy, he felt like anything but, as Vic put his stamp on the game every which way.

Oklahoma City couldn't match the Spurs' collective pressure

The Silver and Black are coached by a smart staff. They understand who the biggest threat on the Thunder's roster is, and they won't let him beat them by himself. The others are going to have to step up, and that's why Alex Caruso was afforded so many opportunities. Credit to him for making so many, but at the end of the day, the Spurs will live with those shots.

That's where San Antonio's depth shines over OKC's. The Spurs just won their first meeting of the postseason against Oklahoma City without De'Aaron Fox in the lineup and still had six guys score in double digits. By comparison, the Thunder only had three guys to reach 10 or more points.

The Spurs made a statement in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They aren't the Lakers, and they aren't the Suns. This team won 62 games for a reason. They beat you in the regular season 4-1 for a reason.

Whether you believed Victor Wembanyama would make the same impact or not at the time is irrelevant; he's proving it now. And if you think anyone else is more valuable than this, I have a lake in the Sahara Desert to sell you.

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