03 November 2023 , 15:38
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NBA superstar Kevin Durant said nobody in basketball history can compare to 7-foot-4 San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama.
The 19-year-old French center scored 38 points and secured ten rebounds during a 132-121 victory over the Phoenix Suns led by Durant on Thursday night. After the game, the two-time NBA champion delivered his thoughts on the rookie so far this season.
Due to his size and ball-handling ability, fans have been comparing Wembanyama to Durant since his time in France. But two-time NBA Finals MVP Durant believes there's no need to compare the French phenom to anyone.
"His enthusiasm for the game, you can tell that through the TV and playing against him," Durant said." He's his own player, own person. He's going to create his own lane and is much different than anyone else who has played. I don't see anyone else like him in this game. We're both skinny, and I know he watched me growing up, but he's his own player."
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Three-time All-Star Devin Booker also praised Wembanyama, calling him "an unbelievable talent." Booker acknowledged that the Suns were well aware of the challenge presented by Wembanyama, emphasizing that they were still in the process of understanding his true capabilities, as they had never seen a player like him before. Booker also expressed a hope that, in future matchups, they could make necessary adjustments to make it more challenging for Wembanyama and the Spurs.
The Spurs initially held a 27-point lead in the first half, which they maintained with a 14-point advantage entering the fourth quarter. The Suns then made a comeback, tying the game at 116 with just four minutes left.
Wembanyama made a three-pointer, three free throws, a dunk, and an 18-foot jumper, sparking a 12-0 run that secured the Spurs victory. He shot 15 of 26 from the field and contributed two assists, two blocks, and a steal. His efforts were vital in the Spurs' back-to-back victories in Phoenix, which caused a controversy in itself.
NBA fans were shocked to see Wembanyama shoot over opponents with ease (Getty Images)Following the game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich commended Wembanyama for his selflessness, highlighting that many had been impressed primarily by his physical attributes. Popovich emphasized that Wembanyama's most outstanding quality was his self-assuredness, his aptitude for distributing the ball to his teammates, and his determination to assume control in critical late-game situations when his team needed it most.
"He's a multi-faceted player. He will pass to the open guy," Popovich said. "He's got confidence in himself. He made some plays that were unbelievable. That combination is pretty good."
Wembanyama's 38 points were tied for the third-most scored by a rookie in Spurs history. Only David Robinson had more than the Spurs rookie, with games of 41 and 39 points in 1990. The Frenchman's 78.9% was the best in the league among the 117 NBA players who had attempted ten field goals in the fourth quarter.
The Spurs continue their NBA campaign against the struggling Toronto Raptors on Nov. 5 at Frost Bank Center, with the opening tip scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. They will head into the game with only Zach Collins on the injury report, providing fans with another opportunity to witness the team's progress in navigating Wembanyama's rookie learning curve.