Mavs Star Makes NBA Award Case for Spurs Pillar

While the NBA world showers Kyrie Irving with praise for his unrivaled skill, Irving is doing the same for a player who could very well be the face of the league when LeBron James retires.

After facing the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, Irving spoke about his experience facing Victor Wembanyama. It’s a common question that’s led to intriguing responses, even from James himself. James, the last player to enter the NBA with so much fanfare, says that the Wembanyama “has no ceiling” as a player.

Irving, the hoops savant with a high basketball IQ and a pure love for the sport —for his craft —was more detailed in his discussion about what Wembanyama offers as a player. Though focusing on just this season, he was more specific about what Wembanyama can achieve in the Association.

Kyrie Irving Makes DPOY Award Case for Victor Wembanyama

Just a week after Golden State Warriors all-world defender Draymond Green called foul on Wembanyama being in consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year Award, Irving has touted the potential of the 2023 No. 1 pick to do just that.

“He does do things like a Defensive Player of the Year would,” Irving says, per Project Spurs’ Paul Garcia. “He’s showing signs that he’s exceeded all the Defensive Player of the Year stats of the previous guys… You guys see it.”

Interestingly, Green believes that Wembanyama is probably a top-20 player and on an MVP trajectory. It’s hard to reconcile that stance with his belief that the Spurs being a poor defensive team as a whole should prevent him from winning Defensive Player of the Year though. If Wembanyama is a top-20 player already, then why should the Spurs’ general lack of defensive prowess prevent him from winning an individual award?

“He’s for sure a candidate. I don’t know how he wouldn’t be, unless the games played and minutes.”

As he continues to discuss the merits of Wembanyama winning, Irving says “I don’t know who they’re going to pick. But, I mean, [Wembanyama] has all the tools to be named Defensive Player of the Year.”