Skip to main content
Air Alamo
FanSided

Wemby's pace dooms Luka Doncic and the rest of the MVP hopefuls to runner-up territory

Tell them to give it up.
ByJahlil Williams
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I want to be up front about what this is, folks. I'm here to break hearts. Luka Doncic is averaging 38.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game. His fanatics believe it's his time to win an MVP. Jayson Tatum is getting some buzz. His fans believe the Celtics' star has been snubbed from these conversations for far too long. An MVP would add significant credibility to his name.

FanDuel's MVP Odds

1. Victor Wembanyama — +400
2. Jayson Tatum — +750
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — +750
4. Cade Cunningham — +850
5. Nikola Jokic — +1300

DraftKings' MVP Odds

1. Victor Wembanyama — +195
2. Luka Doncic — +200
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — +425
4. Nikola Jokic — +900
5. Jayson Tatum — +1000

Neither one of them has a shot in the Victor Wembanyama era, and deep down, they and everyone else know it.

Vic may not have fully convinced voters that defense is 50% of the award when he made his case last season, but I do believe his words will move them enough to give that side of the floor more weight. Wemby is the best defender in the league by far, and that transcendent ability is being met by the kind of offensive uptick that will guarantee him the trophy.

Only Wemby can stop Wemby from winning MVP

It would be much easier to wait until we see Wembanyama keep this up, but that's the coward's way. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but I think we're seeing Vic step into his own in the way all great players eventually do. Recently, he revealed that the very beginning of the season was used to see what worked and what didn't.

He's leaning into those things. His 43-point game against the Timberwolves was eye-opening. Two games later, he drops 52 and gets to the free-throw line for 23 freebies. Now, go back to his performance before the Minnesota game. He put up 36 against Utah. Before that, it was 29 against the Kings. So, it really feels like he was telling the truth about figuring it out.

Over the Spurs' six-game winning streak, Wemby is averaging 32.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 4.7 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. He's now officially one of the league's best scorers, on top of being an elite rebounder and a legendary defender. It's too much for Doncic, Tatum, and any other MVP contender to overcome. For God's sake, he's getting Wilt Chamberlain comparisons.

As great as Luka is on offense, it doesn't make up for the Grand Canyon-sized chasm on defense. Jayson is a well-rounded player, but he's not elite enough on either end to win this thing. He never has been. That's why he's constantly "overlooked." We're all living in Wemby's world now. As long as he stays upright, the award is his to lose. It's better to accept it now.

Add us as a preferred source on Google
Home/Victor Wembanyama