The LeBron James' Curse Or Is Victor Wembanyama (Not) A Bust?
Unveiling the promise and pressure surrounding Victor Wembanyama, a potential generational talent in the making.
The best prospect since LeBron James’ introduction to the NBA in 2003. A mix between Kevin Durant and Rudy Gobert. That’s how Victor Wembanyama was introduced by many… until last Friday.
The 19-year-old disappointed in his much-anticipated NBA Summer League debut for the San Antonio Spurs, shooting an abysmal 2-13 from the field, scoring only 9 points against the Charlotte Hornets. And despite leaving the arena victorious, many fans labelled Wembanyama as a potential addition to the ‘bust’ category.
And yes, some signs could lead to fans thinking that way: Kai Jones gave him the not-so-warm welcome to the league, posterizing the French big man with an and-one. Wembanyama struggled to physically overpower his opponents, and his praised ability to create tough shots was questioned. The game was not a good look on someone who has been compared to arguably the greatest basketball player of all time.
Wembanyama admitted that he did not know what he was doing on the court and ensured he will be better the next game. And while the first time was, let‘s say, a tragic start of a promising movie, his second appearance in the Summer League was a complete turnaround.
He looked like that Victor Wembanyama from social media highlights reels and, despite losing to Portland Trail Blazers, he recorded a dominant 27-point, 12-rebound and 3-block double-double while shooting an impressive 64% from the field. The performance silenced many doubters and reminded them of the mouth-watering highlights they have seen on their phones while scrolling through TikTok. Wembanyama showed his mid-range game, his three-pointers, polished moves in the post, and particularly impressed with his defensive instincts, quick feet and shot-blocking ability during both (and only) Summer League games.
How did Victor Wembanyama become the one to watch?
A parallel can be drawn between both Wembanyama’s performances in the Summer League. While his NBA debut against the Hornets reminded of his promising, but above-average Euroleague season for ASVEL Villeurbanne, his bounce-back game against the Blazers was, in a way, a move to Metropolitans 92, where he bet on himself and proved why he is the generational talent.
Born in the suburbs of Paris in 2004, Victor Wembanyama was hotly tipped to be a top prospect from his early teens. He was gifted with ideal genes for a basketball player: his 6’1’’ mother played and coached basketball professionally, while his 6’6’’ father was a track-and-field athlete. At just 10 years old, Wembanyama joined the academy of Nanterre 92, one of the best-known basketball clubs in France. Aged just 15, Wemby had the opportunity to play for the main roster, making a few appearances in EuroCup. After a great second season on both the main and under-21 rosters, he quickly emerged as Europe’s top talent and a potential number 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
In 2021, Victor signed a three-year deal with the French giants ASVEL. During his only season in the Euroleague with the team, owned by French basketball and Spurs’ legend Tony Parker, he looked very raw as a prospect. Despite enormous hype surrounding the 19-year-old, he was injured a lot during the season, and when Wemby played, he was physically outmatched against the league’s top bigs. At times he flourished playing alongside a young, up-and-coming and hungry ASVEL side, led by Chris Jones and former Suns’ prospect Elie Okobo.
His last appearance in the Euroleague received a lot of praise as he outmatched one of the most reliable big men in the competition in Kaleb Tarczewski, scoring 19 and rebounding 7 in a 1-point loss to AX Armani Exchange Milano. Wembanyama finished the season, recording 6.5-point, 3.8-rebound and 1.9-block averages.
Instead of staying at ASVEL, where he was promised solid minutes under the guidance of former NBA centre Joffrey Lauvergne and coaching from Tony Parker’s brother TJ, Wembanyama decided to pack his bags two years earlier than his contract suggested, move to Paris and play for Metropolitans 92. The situation was different in the French capital: no European games throughout the season, but the opportunity to carry a team on his back and receive guidance from an experienced coach Vincent Collet was too good to turn down.
This decision, which could have been a significant risk to Wembanyama’s development and a potential drop in his NBA Draft stock, was well worth it. He had an MVP-level season in the LNB, averaging a double-double with 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. The 19-year-old made the 3rd overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft Scoot Henderson look like a kid at times when Metropolitans 92 collided with G League Ignite - both times scoring over 35 points and sending the entire NBA Twitter community into chaos.
Domestically, Wembanyama, together with Bilal Coulibaly, another draft pick in this year’s NBA Draft, knocked out his former team ASVEL before getting swept in the finals by Mike James and his AS Monaco side, who were coming off their most successful Euroleague campaign in the team’s history.
The gift… and the curse
With a 7’5’’ height and an astonishing 8’ wingspan, coupled with unusually quick feet for a player of this stature, an ability to efficiently create shots and be a confident rim protector, Wembanyama has all the tools in the world to become a generational player. With an impressive work ethic, Wemby’s destiny lies in his own hands.
But he is the latest victim of a curse: the LeBron James curse. The expectations for the 19-year-old extend beyond becoming the greatest basketball player of our generation; with comparisons to LeBron James, fans anticipate him to be among the greatest of all time. James and Michael Jordan are closely watching the throne while fans on both sides of a beautiful barbershop debate are anxiously biting their nails while, potentially, witnessing greatness. Zion Williamson, who was constantly compared to LeBron, has already become the latest victim of the curse, with his injury-ridden career, let alone his interesting lifestyle choices off the court leaving the fans disappointed.
We often say that ‘nothing is impossible’, and that’s a fact. But whatever Wemby achieves - a Rookie of the Year, an All-Star appearance, an MVP contender in the future - these accolades will not reach the level of expectations the fans have for the French big man. It is just unfortunate and very pressuring for a young man who is just at the beginning of his career.
Regardless if he fails or injuries hinder his development, he will forever be in a discussion for a bust. And the very unique situation Wembanyama is in cannot be compared to the challenges faced by other great European players who have decided to take their talents overseas.
Luka Donćić, despite coming off an MVP season in Euroleague, did not face high expectations, it was, at times, quite the opposite: due to his lack of athleticism, Luka was labelled a bust. Giannis Antetokounmpo played in the second division in Greece before getting drafted 15th overall.
No one expected Nikola Jokić to start ahead of Jusuf Nurkić, let alone become a two-time MVP and revolutionise the centre position.
Zion Williamson was the latest subject to the GOAT comparisons, and look at the direction his career is heading. Andrew Wiggins was compared to Kobe Bryant, and, after one outstanding season for the Timberwolves and an unlikely All-Star appearance, he is now a role player for the Warriors. Injuries ruined Derrick Rose’s career. ‘Baby Shaq’ Dwight Howard plays in Taiwan.
And there is LeBron James. The player not only met the ‘heir to MJ’s throne’ expectations set by SLAM and Sports Illustrated, but set a standard.
A casual reminder - Summer League cannot determine the fate of a player
The concept of the Summer League is designed for players who want to prove themselves in front of NBA’s (and Euroleague’s) GMs and scouts, and there are numerous examples of players proving their worth in this setting. Kyle Kuzma’s performances in 2018 solidified his status as a reliable role player for the Los Angeles Lakers. Reggie Jackson’s run in 2013 established him as a dependable point guard for many NBA teams. Jonas Valančiūnas proved his worth to start for the Raptors with his Summer League MVP performance the same year.
And there have also been instances where high-profile picks have underperformed under the bright lights. Steph Curry, arguably one of the greatest shooters of all time, struggled during his time. Even Trae Young air-balled his first three-point attempts and finished his first Summer League appearance shooting 4-20 from the field, but since then he has become an All-Star and a cornerstone piece in a talented Hawks roster.
The best talents will face setbacks in the Summer League, and Wembanyama is not an exception. He got a taste of the NBA competition, and that alone is a major win. Under the guidance of Greg Popovich and the Spurs’ track record of developing frontcourt players, the San Antonio side has a recipe for success.
While Wembanyama’s debut was concerning, his second game showed vast improvement. His slender frame raises some worries but at just 19 years old, Wemby has a long career ahead of him. The Frenchman has the potential to develop into something great. But how great can he become?
Great (if fit) is a worst-key scenario?
Does Victor Wembanyama have the potential to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time? Given his side, already polished skillset, defensive awareness and great shot-blocking instincts, he has all the potential in the world to have a Hall of Fame career. Wemby has time to develop.
He is already a formidable threat on the court. 7’5’’ and can be automatic from the three-point line? Sounds like Kristaps Porzingis.
Oh, he can dribble? A better version of Bol Bol is quite an accurate description of Wembanyama’s wide skillset.
Defensively, given his long wingspan, athleticism and consistently great blocking averages, the 19-year-old can draw those Rudy Gobert comparisons. Wembanyama can set the standard for an elite defender, and within five years, he could challenge, if not win the Defensive Player of the Year at least once.
And the thing is, NBA players are aware of his defensive potential. Draymond Green on Podcast P with Paul George agreed with Wembanyama’s abilities to defend.
‘His ability as a rim protector is what separates him,’ Green said. ‘If all else fails, him as a rim protector? It’s as elite as we have in NBA.
‘So you have one thing that already puts you into an elite category,’ he carried on.’ And teams are always looking for rim protectors - there is someone in NBA that gets paid as a rim protector probably more than you, Paul (George), which is a lot of money.’
While Victor Wembanyama will be an entertaining player to watch, the pressure surrounding him is enormous. How great will he be? It is the question that only Victor Wembanyama knows the answer to. All we, as fans, have to do is just sit down, relax, grab some popcorn and enjoy the journey.
The sky is the limit for Wemby.