NBA icon labels Victor Wembanyama 'bigger Bill Russell' despite debut struggles

09 July 2023 , 23:51

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Victor Wembanyama has been given high praise despite a debut to forget on Friday (Image: 2023 Getty Images)

Victor Wembanyama's debut for the San Antonio Spurs didn't go to plan, but he's been backed by NBA legend Jerry West to still be a superstar.

All eyes were on Wembanyama for his Spurs debut on Friday, as the No. 1 pick from the 2023 NBA Draft lined up against the Charlotte Hornets in the Summer League. Wembanyama shot just 2-for-13 from the field in Las Vegas, although the Spurs still went on to win 76-68.

Wembanyama didn't match expectations as he finished the game with just nine points in 27 minutes, although he did record eight rebounds. It was a tough week for Wembanyama in the build-up to Friday's game, as it was claimed by Britney Spears that she was attacked by security when looking to take a photo with the 19-year-old.

It's still early days for Wembanyama, and even for someone as highly rated as him the NBA takes some adjusting. But Jerry West isn't concerned and predicts that the Frenchman can surpass NBA icon Bill Russell, who died last July.

"You rarely see someone that combines his brain and his ability," West said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. "Just watching him play, it's an easy game for him to play, very easy.

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"Never looks like he's really working, and if you watch really great players, they don't look like they're working hard. They're always in the right place at the right time."

West thinks that everything will be fine when the season starts, and that this summer shouldn't be focused on too heavily. "I think when he comes into the league, if you watch him defensively, he ruins games," West added.

"He reminds me a little bit of a bigger Bill Russell, with a big reach, coming from everywhere, blindsides. Every offensive player is going to have to be really cautious about where he is, because he's going to mess up some offenses, that's for sure."

Despite the low score from Wembanyama, he did still show signs of brilliance in Vegas as he was key defensively and made some crucial blocks before starting a breakaway. But he struggled physically in attack, and it'll be a major learning curve for the Frenchman ahead of a tough rookie season.

Wembanyama may be tall - the tallest active player in the league at this moment in time - but he's been trying to bulk up and fill out his skinny frame. "I gotta eat whenever I can. Before practice, after practice, before I go to bed, after waking up, before the nap, after the nap," said Wembanyama said in an interview with "Good Morning America."

"I have such high expectations for myself. And I'm so determined that the expectations of others are nothing compared to what I expect of myself."

Joseph McBride