We are witnessing a freak of nature play basketball, on a level we have never seen before. His play is so elite, he transcends the most valuable player debate entirely. He is changing the game and rewriting players’ traditional roles. His name is Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama is a 7-foot-4 center/power forward reshaping the way teams play basketball when he’s on the court. Teams are afraid to put up shots whenever he’s within 10 feet because he can get to any perimeter shot within seconds.
And yet, the MVP “race” is between him and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City’s star guard who scores with foul-baiting techniques. But in all honesty? I believe Wembanyama is so impactful, he is transcending the award altogether.
Wembanyama has transformed the San Antonio Spurs from the average play-in team to legit contenders in a single season. He’s done this by completely dominating all aspects of the games he’s played.
He’s averaging 25 points per game. And he doesn’t get it the typical way a forward does. Wemby can shoot three-pointers, pull up from mid-range, and obviously dominate in the paint. He is, without question, the most dominant 7-footer we have ever seen. He is redefining the way power forwards and centers are supposed to play, which is why people will look back at this season for not just a potential MVP award, but also for his innovative play.
It’s not just his offensive production that is helping his team win. It’s his defensive capabilities.
He’s so feared that his blocking averages are going down because opponents are too afraid to shoot against him. Wemby has averaged 3.1 blocks per game, which is actually lower than last year’s 3.8.
He has forced passes and shot-clock violations left and right, making opposing teams look like they play hot potato with the ball at times. Teams struggle with offensive production and change their entire game plan on both sides for Wemby.
The Spurs have the second highest point differential in the league, which is not only reflected in their dazzling 62-20 record. It’s shown when teams are unable to stop Wemby’s offense and get stuffed by Wemby on the other end. No other player in the league is having this much of an impact on their own team.
His season has been so jaw-dropping and mind-bending that we will remember it as the season that changed the game and established Wemby as a generational player.
Despite all the stats and proven impact, Wembanyama is not the MVP frontrunner. Yahoo Sports listed him second and Basketball Reference fourth in their respective MVP rankings. Wemby appeared in 64 games this season, and an NBA Cup game that brought his total to 65, making him eligible for MVP.
Despite his eligibility, writers and fans favor Gilgeous-Alexander to win.
Gilgeous-Alexander, while yes, averaged the second-most points per game, got those points from egregious foul-baiting calls. An offensive player initiates contact on a defender, makes it appear the defender initiated first, and referees call a defensive foul. It’s foul baiting, Gilgeous-Alexander’s bread and butter.
Although his dazzling 31 points per game looks great on paper, it’s all structured on his unbelievable whistle, which is the root cause for his high-scoring average. (For reference, he’s second this season in free throws attempted.)
Not to mention, Gilgeous-Alexander is on a team with all-stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, both of whom would be the best player on many other NBA teams. The league-best record boasted by the Thunder is not solely from the production of Gilgeous-Alexander.
Meanwhile, looking at the Spurs, key players such as De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle are essential and provide great help but are not the same caliber of player as OKC’s supporting cast. The heart of the team itself is Wemby. Without Wemby, the team is no more than a play-in squad.
Even if he does not win, looking back we will have seen two things: Wemby should have won this MVP, but in the end, he’s above the award. His season has been so jaw-dropping and mind-bending that we will remember it as the season that changed the game and established Wemby as a generational player.
In the end, the MVP is supposed to be given to the most valuable player. So let’s follow those rules and give it to the most valuable player: Victor Wembanyama.
Velocity 
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