2) Victor Wembanyama is an offensive alien: A one of a kind.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo: “I have never seen this before in my life…He can block shots like Rudy, but he can shoot like KD [Kevin Durant].”- How Hungry Are You Podcast by Serge Ibaka.
Giannis is called “The Greek Freak. " He even warned the NBA to prepare before Wembanyama’s arrival because of Wembanyama's precocious talent. He wasn’t lying. Every GOAT candidate in NBA history has to be an outlier amongst their peers to stand out amongst the immortal. They have to be unique—a one-of-one.
Whether that’s Michael Jordan levitating in the air so effortlessly, being stylish on the court with his graceful game and ruthless pursuit of perfection, propelling the Chicago Bulls to a dynasty. Or what about Kareem’s unstoppable skyhook, who was a two-way force as the successor to Bill Russell? We can’t forget LeBron James, who’s built like a locomotive Mack truck with the IQ of Albert Einstein on the basketball court in a 6’8, 260 lb frame that the league has never seen before or since.
Of course, you can name other anomalies, such as Wilt, Shaq, or even Magic himself, but you get where I’m going. Wembanyama is simply extraterrestrial. The league has never seen a 7-foot-4 skyscraper move as elusively and be as skilled from all three levels until his arrival. All bigs, usually that tall, have been stiffs a la Boban Marjanovic.
Wembanyama increased his output from 21.4 to 25.6 points per contest in his sophomore campaign. He recently became the first player to record 40+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ 3-pointers on Christmas Day, which he did in his debut. Three shy of tying Wilt Chamberlain's record.
Add in becoming the first player to record 4+ 3PM and 4+ blocks in consecutive games, and he’s doing this at 7’4! You have something unforeseen to humanity. Wembanyama is on pace to become 1 of 3 players in NBA history to average 20+ PPG, 10+ RPG, 1+SPG, and 3+ BPG in their second season (Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson). In his first 100 games, Wembanyama has more:
- Points than LeBron, Durant, and Carmelo
- Rebounds than AD, Ewing, and Embiid
-Blocks than Olajuwon, Mutombo, and Shaq
-Threes than Curry, Klay, and Trae Young
That's not even including he ranks first all-time among centers before turning 21 in blocks and 3PM. Between dribbling like a guard, pulling up from three like he’s KD, and defending the paint like Hakeem. There are no limits to how good he can be.
Enjoy this Christmas masterpiece.