Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid recently shared his candid thoughts on the much-anticipated debut of San Antonio Spurs’ rookie Victor Wembanyama, shedding light on the immense expectations surrounding the French prodigy’s entry into the league.
In an insightful interview with David Aldridge of The Athletic, Embiid delved into the challenges faced by Wembanyama, emphasizing the need for the young player to define his role on the court—whether as a guard or a dominant big man.
Reflecting on Wembanyama’s current situation, Embiid pointed out, “Not trying to be too critical. Obviously, extremely talented. Right now, there’s so much hype around him, I think he’s trying to live up to the hype.”
Embiid offered guidance, suggesting that Wembanyama needs to make a crucial decision about his playing style, drawing a parallel between becoming a Kevin Durant-type player or following a path similar to Embiid’s.
Acknowledging the learning curve for rookies, Embiid praised the Spurs for allowing Wembanyama to make mistakes on the court and learn from them.
However, he also noted the delicate balance between the positive aspect of learning through mistakes and the potential downside of the game feeling forced for the young talent.
Drawing from his own experiences, Embiid revealed the universal struggle among players in deciding when to stick to what’s working and when to experiment with new moves during games.
In his debut season, Wembanyama has showcased promise, averaging 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2.8 assists in 30.2 minutes per game for the San Antonio Spurs.
