Why Victor Wembanyama Is Already Superior to Jokić

Although the 2025–26 NBA season has only just begun, one topic seems to be popping up in every discussion: who is the league’s top big man right now? For years, that title belonged to Nikola Jokić without much argument. Today, a growing number of people — including former players like Gilbert Arenas — believe San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama has already passed him. The numbers, the eye test, and the sheer “wow” factor all point in the same direction.

The Hype Was Real — and He Delivered Immediately

He quickly proved it was worth the attention. Everyone anticipated Victor Wembanyama to make an impact when he joined the NBA in summer 2023. His rise became so fast that fans joked his potential felt as amazing as the bonuses you can grab at https://casinosanalyzer.co.nz/free-spins-no-deposit/300-dollars during a lucky streak.

Final season, he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 boards, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 blocks. His defense won him second-place in the league and All-Defensive First Team.

His best game was against Toronto on February 12, 2024. He also recorded a double-double in steals, five assists, and a game-high fourteen boards. Played by five or 10 rookies, it was an NBA first.

Year Two: Not as many games, but more numbers.

Year two was different. He got better even though he had a blood clot that kept him from playing in 46 games in 2024–25. This season, he averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game, which is more than he did last season.

An Unreal Start to Year Three

Wembanyama started the season quickly. The first 15 games in 2025-26 have seen him average career highs practically everywhere.

Wembanyama was the key reason the Spurs started 10-5, their finest 15-game start in over a decade.

What Makes Wembanyama Different from Every Other 7-Footer

A lot of young players have been called “the next unicorn.” Some people do become one, but not many. Wembanyama has already done it. At 7 feet 4 inches tall and 8 feet wide, he moves like a wing, shoots like a guard, and guards the basket like three Rudy Goberts.

Two brief lists demonstrate why the basketball world cannot stop talking about him.

What Wembanyama already does at an elite level (at only 21 years old):

1. Guards the rim at a historic rate while also switching onto guards on the perimeter without getting burned.
2. Uses either hand to finish, push the break, and handle the ball during transition.
3. Slowly throws down floaters, step-back threes, and pull-up mid-range shots.
4. He has led the league in blocks every single season he has played, which is four years in a row if you count the years he spent in France.
5. Once a month, he sees the court better. He makes more assists, fewer mistakes, and nearly always makes the perfect read.

What Nikola Jokić still does noticeably better right now:

• Uses footwork, fakes, and touch in the post that no one in history can match — not even Hakeem some nights
• Runs an entire offense through himself with passing that looks like magic; many believe he is the best passing big man who has ever lived
• Owns three MVP trophies, a Finals MVP, and a championship ring — hardware that matters
• Has proven he can carry a team through four playoff rounds against the very best competition

Gilbert Arenas’ Take That Started the Fire

On the latest episode of Gil’s Arena the question was simple: “You’re starting a team today. You can have Jokić in his prime or Wembanyama right now. Who do you pick for the next five seasons?”

Arenas did not even pause. “Wemby. Easy. Everything Jokić does on offense, Wemby is showing he can do — and then he gives you something Jokić never had: 4 blocks a night and the ability to guard the whole floor.” He went on to predict Wembanyama could average a triple-double if the Spurs designed their offense around it more aggressively. Most admirers rolled their eyes a month ago. Today, the tape has millions of views and 50-50 comments. Arenas’ point? Wembanyama’s ceiling feels limitless, while Jokić is already near his peak.

Jokić Is Still Jokić

Jokić will not slow down, that much is clear. He averages 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists at 30 years old while making 60% of his shots. His first 14 games have yielded nine triple-doubles. This indicates a terrific year ahead. He had a spectacular November, scoring 34.8 points, collecting 12.8 rebounds, and passing 11.3 times. He’s made 67.3 percent of his field goals and 47.5 percent of his dunks.

 He also has the most boards in the league with 13.4 per game and the second most with 11.1. Before him, only Wilt Chamberlain has been able to lead either of these categories for a season. Add to that two consecutive Western Conference Player of the Week awards in Weeks 3 and 4, which only underscore his level of play.

Jokic has not lost his form. His feel for the game, ball control, and basketball intuition are still at an extraordinary level. He takes two strides forward, and transforms the ordinary into reel-highlight assistants. Recent games like the one where he played against the Chicago Bulls made him record 36 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists in a defeat of 130–127 and that too was just another night. 

A week prior to the Pelicans, he scored 28, grabbed 11 boards, and dished 12 dimes against the Pelicans only. It is the reason the Nuggets are always in contention: his ability to uplift his teammates, including Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and even role players.

Career accomplishments are eloquent on his side and it has just increased since the previous season.

His touch, vision, and basketball IQ are still unmatched among big men. Denver remains a contender every year because of him.

So Who Is Actually Better Right Now?

The honest answer: it depends on what a team needs.

Jokić is still the best choice for teams that already have good space and want the smartest offensive hub in basketball. There’s no doubt that Wembanyama is the kind of person who can change the whole game. He can score forty points any night and play defense in a lot of different ways. He will be a two-way star for years to come. He would be picked up by every team.

There Are Good Things Ahead for San Antonio

Even at 21, Victor Wembanyama improves. He makes speedier pick-and-rolls because he knows how to use the ball. He also shoots from farther away with more confidence. He looks less and less like a raw ability and more and more like a star-to-be every month.

At the same time, the Spurs are surrounding him with both young and experienced shooters. The team that used to be built around Tim Duncan and David Robinson thinks it has found its next key player, and maybe something even better.

It’s not clear if Wembanyama really did pass Jokić today. For sure, NBA fans are seeing a player rise to fame that only comes around once every age. This makes the game more fun to watch.