A locker room conversation on Monday night that began with Spurs wing Keldon Johnson making Victor Wembanyama‘s Most Valuable Player case to Jared Weiss of The Athletic turned into Wembanyama himself tagging in for his teammate and explaining to Weiss why he feels he deserves to be this year’s NBA MVP.
As Weiss writes, Wembanyama highlighted the impact he has on the defensive end of the court, contending that his case hinges on the fact that he’s such an outlier in terms of defensive value, especially compared to his primary competitors for MVP. The Spurs big man suggested that’s one of three primary arguments in his favor relative to current betting favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder.
“My first (argument) would be that defense is 50 percent of the game and that is undervalued, so far, in the MVP race,” Wembanyama said. “I believe I’m the most impactful player defensively in the league. Second argument would be that we almost swept OKC in the season and we dominated them three times with their real team and four times with the, you know, more rotation players. My third argument would be that offense impact is not just points.”
Wembanyama expanded on that last point by focusing on the defensive attention he commands in the pick-and-roll, adding that he has seen data showing that he ranks right alongside Nuggets center Nikola Jokic as the most effective roll man in the NBA. However, he acknowledged that voters need to weigh defensive impact more heavily in order for him to have a legitimate chance at MVP honors.
“It’s going to happen (over) time,” Wembanyama told Weiss. “If there were more players like Giannis (Antetokounmpo) in the past years, maybe defense would have been more recognized. I don’t know.”
Wembanyama is averaging 24.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 blocks in just 29.3 minutes per game over the course of 56 appearances this season, with a .504/.356/.818 shooting line. Those offensive numbers pale in comparison to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31.6 PPG, 6.6 APG, and .553/.390/.888 shooting.
Still, Wembanyama’s on/off numbers reflect his value, particularly on defense. The Spurs have registered a +16.6 net rating and 103.5 defensive rating when he’s on the court, compared to a -0.1 net rating and 113.7 defensive rating when he’s not. According to Weiss, he has spoken to some voters who’ve said that they’d vote for Wembanyama if the Spurs (54-18) pass the Thunder (57-15) for the NBA’s best record.
Following his conversation with Weiss, Wembanyama told reporters in his post-game media session that he’s determined to solidify his MVP case by finishing the season strong.
“I think right now, there is a debate,” he said. “There should be, even though I think I should lead the race. And I’ll try to make sure that by the end of the season, there’s no debate.”
If Tim Duncan can win back to back mvps over Kobe I would have to think Wemby could win one over Shai at some point
Tim Duncan was a better player than Kobe Bryant.
There’s no debate right now for MVP because of the 65 game rule, if Wemby can play for the next 9 games and the Spurs take the #1 seed, maybe there will be a conversation.
You have to love it when great players make your argument. As great as Luka is on offense. He makes no impact on defense. And worse he plays defense when he wants to. Or lets his arguing and crying play his D for him. Great players, MVP players, Max players. All should be impactful on defense. At least top 25 or better. The game is 48 mins. And it’s played both ways. ———
“My first (argument) would be that defense is 50 percent of the game and that is undervalued, so far, in the MVP race,” Wembanyama said. “I believe I’m the most impactful player defensively in the league. Second argument would be that we almost swept OKC in the season and we dominated them three times with their real team and four times with the, you know, more rotation players. My third argument would be that offense impact is not just points.”
— Wemby is 100% right. Plus he shows what a true rim protector can do on defensive end. Only a true center can impact the game on defense like Wemby does. it’s why true centers will never go away. Cause this game 50% DEFENSE ——— You can build a great defense around a rim protector. Just like you can build an offense around a great scorer. OK You listening Wagoneers.
I have said it for years. EVERY NBA team should be able to go big or small. And should carry a rim protector. Learn from Wemby. The guy Raynaud put 32 on. 😂😳😂
I agree Al but are there really enough really good rim protectors around the league for every team to have at least one guy in that roll? Wemby is truly separating himself in that regard but are there more than 10-12 elite rim protectors that can stay in the floor and impact the game night in and night out?
Wemby is special. Not goi g to see many like him. Yet guys like Mitch are out there. Someone who can give you solid 20 mins. Teams don’t value it as much. So won’t take time to develop one. I would have one in G-league just training to be a rim protector. Like Bamba, Moses, Wiseman. And others. Better than to be out the L lol.
Lol, except Raynaud didn’t put up 32 on Wemby. Since you didn’t reply to my having destroyed your laughable comment on the other article, here’s your quote and my reply:
“Wemby avs 29 mins this yr. Spurs were so embarrassed Raynaud was schooling him. They didn’t play him.”
That’s possibly your dumbest comment ever.
Ha ha, in reality ALL of the the Spurs starters sat out the 4th Q after having completely embarrassed the Kings in the 1st half to lead by 31 (and they still led by 31 to start the 4th).
What are you like 75 yrs old…. Get a life.
Head to head is always about talking smack. Please mute me. You are boring.
Even Wemby praised his national teammate
Muting is for the weak.
And I bet Wemby didn’t say that Raynaud outplayed him!
link to si.com
They are friends. Why wouldn’t he praise him on a career night. What’s your problem …. He’s a rookie.
Since your link quotes Raynaud praising Wemby, and only proves that they are friends and shook hands after the game, where did you come up with your claim that Wemby praised Raynaud?
I don’t have a problem with Raynaud, but when you just make things up and then post them (such as your “Spurs were so embarrassed that Raynaud was schooling (Wemby) they didn’t play him”), I’ll post a reality check.
You could make an argument for either player and not be wrong. It’s really hard to compare the two of them as their games are so different.
I think I would ultimately give it to Wemby by a hair as he greatly affects both ends of the court, and the Spurs are by far the biggest surprise in the NBA this season. OKC was expected to be really good, SA was expected to challenge for a play-in spot.
I’m so great. I deserve an award.
Well, he is
Nah Jaylen Brown easy, dude is playing with trash
Who cares about MVP, beat them in the playoffs and then see what matters.
Warriors had the best regular season record but are a laughingstock because they didn’t win the title, wasting all their energy on a stupid record.
MVP is more important than Championship in today’s game
Wemby winning MVP unlocks an extra 50 million for his extension. Of course he wants to win.
But the self-promotion is screechy unless done with a modicum of humor. Barkley could do the self-promotion thing because he was able to rag on himself, make others smile and think, “oh, Chuck!” No tongue in cheek in the statement can easily end up looking like self-aggrandizement, and I’d guess that is SORRYNOTSORRY’s point.
Wemby should be in MVP conversation. Imo it’s a tight race this year. I have to put Wemby in top 5. And Luka has no business in top 5.He is by FAR the worst defender out of all MVP candidates.. Cade getting hurt drops him some. SGA, Jokic, JB, Wemby, Cade. Is the way I see it. With 10 gms left any of top three can win it. It’s close …..
link to nba.com
The existence of a DPOY award combined with the omission of an OPOY award makes the MVP race much more focused on offense. I think Wemby has a strong point though. Spurs are only the Spurs when he’s on the court. I don’t feel the same way when I watch the Thunder without SGA. All eye test obviously I don’t know the numbers but he’s definitely got an argument.
That’s true MVP is geared more to great offense. But it should take into account defensive prowess. Specifically if you are a great defender. Too many so called great players. Were not strong on defense. That’s old school stuff.
MVP race right now…
1/ Jokic
2/ Luka
3/ SGA
4/ Wemby
5/ Jalen Johnson
No