Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving told NBA reporters that San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama “has all the tools to be named Defensive Player of the Year.”
Wembanyama leads the NBA in blocks and blocks per game.
“You got to be aware of him late challenging and he has the timing of a guard,” Irving said about Wembanyama. “I don’t know if it’s just he’s played against guards, but I’m just saying, I think he’s got a lot of reps of playing against good guards and guarding them one-on-one. Today, I thought I had a reverse layup and he ended up blocking it on the left side because I thought he was going to be on the right side.
“But he has this long wingspan, so he covers up a lot of space. Me as a competitor and challenger, I like going in there and challenging him because if you can finish on him, I feel like you can finish on anybody in the world. He’s going to block some and he’s going to make you change it, but it’s only going to make you better as a basketball player and that’s what I want and I think everybody should relish in that.
“But also be smart in challenging him because he does bate you a lot. He does do things like a Defensive Player of the Year would. He’s showing signs that’s he’s exceeded all the Defensive Player of the Year stats of the previous guys that have won it. You guys see it. I don’t know who they’re going to pick, but I mean he has all the tools to be named Defensive Player of the Year. He’s for sure a candidate. I don’t know how he wouldn’t be.”
Wembanyama is averaging 20.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.5 blocks this season. He has 213 blocks.
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