Victor Wembanyama's newest enemies are playing right into his hands

Knicks fans just don't know what they're getting into. The NBA Finals conversation since the end of Game 3 has been dominated by angry New Yorkers, spewing their vitriol for Victor Wembanyama. The league's decision not to give the Spurs' star a flagrant foul has only exacerbated their feelings, leading the hate mob to berate the 7'4" Frenchman on the streets of the Big Apple.

*WARNING: NSFW LANGUAGE*

While this is probably good fun for the hecklers, it's fuel for Wembanyama. Fans from other teams across the NBA are just now learning what Spurs fans have known for years about the new face of the league: he has a mean streak, and he feeds off the negative vibes.

Vic isn't here to make friends. He doesn't care what his opponents think. And he damn sure doesn't mind getting rough. He's here to dominate, and he doesn't mind if you hate him while he does it.

Wembanyama has embraced the Dark Side long ago

It's not a coincidence that Wemby has put up some of his best performances on the road this postseason. Everyone believes they have a great home-court advantage, and The Alien seems to relish proving them wrong. He dropped 39 and 15 with 5 blocks in his first road game against the Timberwolves and opened the series in OKC with 41 and 24.

Let's not forget that GG Jackson already told the media that Wembanyama is a trash talker over a year ago. It might "sound like he's whispering" because he's so tall, but he's out there wolfing at guys. He's also the one who immediately dunked on Draymond Green's head after a verbal exchange at the beginning of the year, before yelling in his face.

This is the same guy who once said that his goal was to traumatize his opponents when he posterizes them. Nobody should be surprised by how he carries himself on the court by now, but I guess it's easy to forget when the guy you're looking at is lanky. Skinny players don't usually get the benefit of the "tough guy" label until they prove it, and that's exactly what Vic is doing.

The unanimous Defensive Player of the Year has never been shy about answering physical play with physical play. That's part of what makes provoking him so amusing. Jose Alvarado is out here issuing threats like Wembanyama will back down. He won't.

I thought this was what everyone wanted. NBA fans have complained about a lack of physicality in the game for years. Now that we're getting a loose whistle and some aggressive play, it's too much? Well, it's too late now. Rough play is being allowed, and Wembanyama can play by those rules, too. Yell and berate him all you want. You'll just get it worse. He's proven that.

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