Victor Wembanyama pulls off ludicrous block as NBA star gives hilarious verdict
Victor Wembanyama continues to take the NBA by storm as he takes the first steps of his career, and Toronto Raptors star O.G. Anunoby could only laugh when asked about the challenge of taking on the seven-foot-four sensation.
The Frenchman played his fifth NBA regular season game on Sunday night, racking up 20 points and nine rebounds in a 123-116 overtime defeat to the Raptors at AT&T Center. The 19-year-old also produced five highlight-reel blocks including one on Anunoby when Wembanyama used his enormous frame to eat up the court and get his hand in the way of a three-point attempt from the corner.
After the game, six-foot-seven guard Anunoby – who had a big night himself with 24 points, including the score to send the game to overtime – was asked about the challenge of taking on Wembanyama. His chuckle in response said it all, adding: "He's too tall, he's way too tall."
Wembanyama has made an impressive start to his NBA career amid incredibly high expectations. The teenager was perhaps the most hyped draft prospect since LeBron James two decades ago, but he has already started to deliver on his promise.
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Before a solid showing against the Raptors, Wembanyama produced the best performance of his young career on the road at the Phoenix Suns on Friday, scoring 38 points with 10 rebounds. He showed off his rare repertoire of impressive ball skills for a man of his size, leading many pundits to predict he could be in the conversation for a slew of awards at the end of the season beyond the Rookie of the Year prize.
Wembanyama is averaging 49 per cent shooting from the floor and an impressive 20.5 points per game, as well as averaging 8 rebounds, one steal and almost three blocks a night.
However, neither he nor head coach Gregg Popovich were happy after the Spurs threw away a 22-point lead on Sunday night. “Pop often says it’s important to play for the whole 48 minutes and even relaxing a couple of seconds is too much,” Wembanyama said.
Popovich added: “We didn’t have as much down the stretch scoring-wise. We had a little more trouble with their length, their aggressiveness, and their ability to get in passing lanes. I think it slowed us down to the point where our offense wasn’t as smooth. So, they were able to come back for those two reasons. They did a good job.”
Next up for the Spurs and Wembanyama is Monday night's trip to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers. Forward Obi Toppin told the IndyStar that Wembanyama is a "Freak" and their head coach Rick Carlisle is not downplaying the unique challenges the Frenchman will pose his team.
“He’s everything that was advertised, in terms of impact, skills, ridiculous highlights and things we’ve just never seen before,” he said. “Most of it looks indescribable to me, and I haven’t even seen him in person yet. I’ve heard [Miami Heat coach] Eric Spoelstra say that, until you see this guy in person, you don’t really know what you’ve gotten into.”
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