The future of the NBA dribbles between his legs, shoots 3-pointers, speaks with a French accent and has the wingspan of a pterodactyl.
San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is the most interesting athlete I have ever seen in person, which includes Dave Winfield, Bo Jackson and Andre the Giant. He has the reflexes of a cat, the feet of a ballerina, and the hand-eye coordination of a .300 major league hitter.
Nikola Jokic was the best player on the court on Tuesday night. He doesn’t play games, he showcases his brilliance. But his response to Wembanyama in the Nuggets’ 110-105 win showed how much the young big man is influencing the league.
Even without shooting well, the 7-foot-4 Spurs star almost achieved a quadruple double. To clarify: 23 points, 15 rebounds, nine blocks and eight assists.
“It’s going to happen,” Wembanyama said later. “But I have other priorities.”
Jokic seemed predetermined to live above the rim, firmly in dunk mode when Wembanyama was on the court, even when he wasn’t. He had three dunks in the first quarter.
It was unusual. And a compliment to Wembanyama. Jokic was doing the type of stuff that will earn him his third MVP award. At one point that included a tricky pass to Christian Braun – it was straight out of The Matrix as he redirected the ball with sleight of hand – for a wide open 3-pointer.
“It’s not one thing I respect about his game,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Jokic. “It’s his overall savant-type play. He is a basketball savant.”
Ultimately, the Nuggets won. It’s what they do at home – they are 31-8 – even though Jamal Murray’s absence remains noticeable. Getting him ready for the playoffs has become more important than claiming the top seed in the Western Conference, though the latter is still possible. The Nuggets cannot hope to go back-to-back without Murray returning and being healthy.
As for Wembanyama, he is so tall, it makes him easier to appreciate than explain. He reminds me of former Houston Rockets and Virginia star Ralph Sampson with better knees and a point guard’s athleticism. In the first quarter, Wembanyama challenged reality. He wasn’t playing, he was teaching a class in physics.
He made a 3-pointer, blocked two shots and scored 12 points, including a finger roll from eight feet away that would make George Gervin blush. It left Jokic exasperated with his arms in the air.
Wembanyama moved across the lane and delicately placed the ball into the hoop, not something particularly noteworthy. Except he did it with his left hand. He’s not left-handed. Seeing it live, it was like watching someone skim a pool or release a Go-Go Gadget arm into space.
The sport seems welcoming of him. His statistics demand attention: 21.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He also leads the league in blocks with 3.4 per game. There were moments when the Nuggets would drive into the lane, then turn around until Wembanyama's one-car I-25 traffic jam cleared. He is a deterrent, a player already displaying obvious signs of excellence.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone advised guards to move out of the way when facing Wembanyama on the wing. He acknowledged Wembanyama's potential to be the Rookie of the Year and praised his impressive improvement this season. Malone emphasized Wembanyama's flair and ability to enhance his teammates' performance.
The events in the fourth quarter were not just about basketball, they were like a performance. With 1:27 remaining, Jokic backed Wembanyama into the lane and made a 6-foot hook shot. Wembanyama responded with a block and a driving layup, tying the score at 105 with 1:02 left.
After Braun circled around Wembanyama on the baseline, he passed the ball to Michael Porter Jr. who hit a 25-foot shot, ending the suspense.
Wembanyama described facing Jokic as fun and demanding, requiring quick reactions and no room for mistakes at any position. He acknowledged the challenging fight and the great effort from both sides of the court, admitting to feeling tired and finding it hard to think clearly at that moment.
Wembanyama couldn't outlast Jokic, but he made a Tuesday night in April highly entertaining. San Antonio played with determination, creating tense moments for a slightly out-of-sync Nuggets team. Wembanyama missed some close-range shots and, due to injuries, was surrounded by bench players.
Considering Wembanyama's potential growth over the next three years as he gains weight, and the Spurs bringing in more talented players around him, is a bit daunting. At 20 years old, he is a full nine years younger than Jokic.
Jokic showcased his excellence with 42 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists, remaining a positive force for the Nuggets and the NBA. However, Wembanyama served as a reminder that the league's future looks promising, with hands that can easily grip a basketball with two fingers.
In my lifetime, I have seen tall players like Manute Bol, Gheorghe Muresan, and Shawn Bradley who impressed with their height, but Wembanyama stands out with his remarkable wingspan, earning the comparison to a lighthouse.
Tuesday ended with “MVP” chants for Jokic, and it may not be long before similar cheers accompany Wembanyama in San Antonio.
