With the NBA season well underway, the debate over who is the best big man is heating up again.
With San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama already putting together an incredible season, fans are reminded that it was the perfect decision to draft him as a cornerstone piece. It can even be argued that he might be the best draft decision since Nikola Jokic in 2014.
Generational Start
When Wembanyama was drafted in 2023, he came into the league with the highest expectations since LeBron James.
In his first year, he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks. He had plenty of great games, including a 40-point performance against the New York Knicks that supplemented the “generational” conversations surrounding him.
Wembanyama’s most memorable performance took place on February 12, 2024. In a victory against the Toronto Raptors, he logged 27 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and 10 blocks. He became the fourth rookie in history to record a triple-double that included double-digit blocks.
He was unanimously named Rookie of the Year and earned All-Defensive First Team honors, becoming the first rookie to earn All-Defensive honors. Perhaps more impressive, he also finished the season second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year, behind Rudy Gobert. This made him the first rookie in history to finish second in voting for the award.
In his second season, Wembanyama played only 46 games due to deep vein thrombosis. Nevertheless, he averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and a league-leading 3.8 blocks.
Wemby’s Case Strengthening
As many expected, Wembanyama keeps getting better.
He started this season on a high note, scoring 40 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in the Spurs’ season opener against the Dallas Mavericks. Two days later, he recorded 29 points, 11 rebounds, and nine blocks against the New Orleans Pelicans. He became the only player in history to record 100-plus points and 15-plus blocks in a team’s first three games.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1981208893863981231
On the season, Wembanyama is averaging a career-high 26.2 points on 50.2% shooting from the field. He is also averaging a career-high 12.9 rebounds, a career-high 4.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks.
Aside from his personal numbers, the Spurs are benefiting from it as they began the season with a 5-0 record for the first time in franchise history.
The Jokic Standard
Although Wembanyama’s production is impressive, Nikola Jokic remains one of the most efficient and accomplished centers in history.
Despite being drafted late by the Nuggets in 2014, Jokic became their superstar player for over a decade. In his career, he’s averaged 21.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.3 steals.
His efforts led him to seven All-Star and All-NBA selections. He also won three MVP awards, including back-to-back ones in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, he led Denver to its first championship in franchise history.
https://twitter.com/big_business_/status/1775363390988275806
Still, many pundits believe Wembanyama is a better rebuilding option than Jokic.
On a recent episode of Gilbert Arenas’ Gil’s Arena podcast, Arenas picked Wembanyama over Jokic for whom he would build around for the next five years.
“I’m taking Wemby [Wembanyama]… What [Nikola] Jokic brings, Wemby can actually do it. Wemby can average a triple-double,” said Arenas.
This season, Jokic is averaging 29.5 points, a league-leading 13.0 rebounds, and a league-leading 11.0 assists. He has even put together a 55-point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 12.
The debate between Wembanyama and Jokic may never have a definitive answer, especially when comparing a rising superstar to a proven legend. But Wembanyama is clearly carving out his own legacy at an astonishing pace. If he continues this trajectory, he could redefine what it means to be a modern big man in the NBA, just as Jokic did before him.
Leave a comment