Damian Lillard the latest All-Star to see superstardom for Victor Wembanyama
Damian Lillard is the latest All-Star talent to praise Victor Wembanyama. The rookie big man has yet to complete his debut season in the league, yet he continues to impress some of the most talented veterans the NBA has to offer.
Lillard's comments came during a recent appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show."
“I think we’ve always been extremely impressed with Kevin Durant doing it at 6-foot-11, now you have a dude who is 7-foot-5 doing the same thing,” Lillard said. "It is just getting crazy. I think Wemby is special. I think how competitive he is is what surprised me the most and that’s what makes me think that very soon I can see him being the best player in the league.”
Wembanyama is still a raw talent. He needs to grow into his frame and add muscle. Over the coming years, he'll also continue refining his skillset and adding new caveats to his game. There's no denying that he's a unique player with a skill-set and size that the league has never seen before. Perhaps that's why Draymond Green earlier praised the rookie big man in an episode of his "The Draymond Green Show" podcast.
“Victor Wembanyama is probably a top-20 player in the NBA right now,” Green said. “With that skill set, with that length, with that jump shot, his jump shot is absolutely beautiful. In San Antonio with that staff, that kid, watch out. This is no stray at all. I think Chet Holmgren is a very good player, and I know there’s been this comparison amongst those two, but I will tell you I think there’s a gap between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama. Victor Wembanyama is just different. Kid is special. Absolutely special, and he may win MVP of the league in like the next two years or so.”
The San Antonio Spurs are dead last in the Western Conference. As a rebuilding team, they have been able to develop Wembanyama at their own pace. He's played 59 games this season, averaging 20.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 46.5% from the field and 33.1% from three-point range. If those are his numbers as a rookie, it's scary to think what he will average in his prime. That is likely Lillard and Green's point.
Earning praise and respect from some of the league's best players isn't easy. Wembanyama's professionalism, talent and skill-set are setting him apart in the league. It won't be long until there's no denying that he's among the top-20 or top-10 players in the NBA. When that happens, Lillard and Green can comfortably say 'I told you so.'
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