Victor Wembanyama picked up a $25,000 fine at the end of last week for tossing the game ball from a matchup against the Knicks into the stands. Wembanyama opened up on what happened.
"Surprised? When I threw the ball, I remember players have gotten fined for this, but they always threw it in a bad way. I was just doing it to make someone's day. It was really funny, just funny. After that, I was like, it's fine. I threw it to please someone. It's not like I hurt them."
The reason behind Wembanyama getting fined has to do with Jalen Brunson having his first career 60-point game on the night as well, as Wembanyama tossed the ball into the stands before any Knick player could try and retrieve the ball for their teammate. The Spurs were at home, so Wemby would have had first dibs anyway.
The Spurs picked up a five-point win over the Knicks on Friday, as Brunson and Wembanyama had two of the finest individual performances of the season. Vic put up 40 points, 20 rebounds, and seven assists, while Brunson put up 61 points and six assists.
Tossing the ball over to some fans is one thing, but throwing it at them in excitement after winning a close game isn't necessarily the same thing, so it's not surprising to see the NBA take the steps it just did.
Everyone Knows Victor Wembanyama Is Generational
Victor Wembanyama is not an unassuming success story in basketball. He's been touted as one of the greatest prospects the game has ever seen since he was 15 years old, delivering on the promise almost immediately after entering the NBA. It's hard to say Wemby isn't already a top-25 player as a rookie, meaning he'll only get better from here.
Brunson equated Wemby to the greatest players the game has ever seen.
“He’s gonna be one of the greatest players this game has seen. Just the way he’s built, what he’s been able to do so far. Got a lot of respect for him, and it’s definitely tough to get a shot up and in over him.”
Draymond Green was literally celebrating the fact he'll probably retire before Wembanyama enters his prime on his podcast.
"He's a very very very very very special talent. I'm happy I got the opportunity to play against him now because they'll have to deal with him a lot later and I won't be in the league no more, so that's good for me."
Wemby is averaging 21.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 3.4 blocks this season, playing at a historic pace for a rookie, especially defensively. He could be the first rookie to make an All-Defense First Team this season, a history-defining achievement for the 7'4" French center.
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