Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving arguably has the best layup package in the history of the NBA. So when he praises someone’s ability to protect the rim against him, that speaks volumes. After Tuesday night’s 113-107 road win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, Irving shared in length an intriguing insight on the rookie’s defense.
Kyrie Irving Believes San Antonio Spurs Rookie Victor Wembanyama Has The Tools To Win Defensive Player of The Year
“You got to be aware of him late challenging, and he has the timing of a guard. 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, Irving said (h/t Paul Garcia of Project Spurs).
Wembanyama, who had six blocks against the Mavericks, is already drawing an incredible outlook from an all-time player like Irving because of the defense the San Antonio Spurs first-year big man is showing on the court, particularly when it comes to protecting his team’s basket.
“Me as a competitor and challenger, I like going in there and challenging him, because if you can finish on [Victor Wembanyama], 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 bait you a lot. He does do things like a Defensive Player of the Year would,” added Irving.
“He’s showing signs that 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, unless the games played and minutes. But every Defensive Player of the Year that’s won the past few years, he’s almost head and shoulder and we still have what 15 or some odd games left? I give him credit for being such a young player but learning on the fly and doing everything he can to get his team wins.”
On top of the shots he rejected, Wembanyama also had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists with a steal in 32 minutes of action. He was awful with his shot against the Mavericks, going 3/13 from the field and 0/4 from deep, but still finished with a plus-5 because of the other brilliant things he did on the floor.
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