Ahead of the 2023-2024 season, Paul George makes a return for another season of Podcast P. On the latest episode, the panel spoke about multiple topics ahead of the season opener. At one point in the near-hour-long video, the three – George, Dallas Rutherford, and Jackie Long – had a brief discussion about Victor Wembanyama.
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Victor Wembanyama has left the entire basketball world impressed. Recording 19.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in the preseason games, the French phenom played a huge role in the San Antonio Spurs winning three out of four contests.
Paul George had previously expressed some concerns regarding Wembanyama. However, PG13 wasn’t ashamed to admit to the fact that he was proven wrong. On his podcast, the Los Angeles Clippers star humbly took back all the doubts that he had surrounding Wemby.
“I take back everything I said. And I knew he was gonna be successful in the league. But I thought he was gonna be tougher than what he’s making it look right now just because of his size. Our level of play vs what he was used to playing, I thought that was going to be an adjustment period for him. Granted, he still hasn’t played the league yet. But, some of the stuff he’s doing, dawg…”
Jackie Long took things a bit further and claimed that Wemby showed flashes of being the best big man ever. It’s bizarre how the co-host drew comparisons between the 7ft 4” center and Shaquille O’Neal even before the rookie played a single regular season contest.
“He boutta be the best big man ever seen… As far as most of the things he’s doing, he’s better than Shaq. Shaq was dominant in the paint. Shaq could not shoot no three, Shaq didn’t have no dribbles like that,” Jackie Long said.
Yes, Victor Wembanyama is a physical anomaly. A player with a game like his has never witnessed in the sport before. However, it is way too soon to be making any such inane claims. Takes like these are just going to be adding unnecessary pressure on the 19-year-old.
Paul George previously expressed concerns regarding Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama didn’t have as great an outing in his Summer League debut. The Spurs big man merely recorded nine points on an awful 2-13 shooting from the field. Even though the teenager had an impressive 27-point, 12-rebound performance in the very next contest, analysts and enthusiasts were quick enough to express their doubts.
Paul George was among the many who misjudged Wemby. After the Summer League games, George and Draymond Green conveyed their concerns regarding Victor’s offensive skillset.
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The Clippers swingman also claimed that the European prodigy would struggle to transition into the NBA. At no point did the 6ft 8” superstar question Wemby’s skills or implied that the youngster would be a bust. However, he did believe that Wemby wouldn’t be as great as hyped right off the bat.
Wembanyama has been incredible to kickstart his first-ever NBA campaign. In merely two days, Wemby will play his first regular season as the San Antonio Spurs go up against the Dallas Mavericks. It’ll be interesting to see how the #1 pick of the 2023 Draft fares against the likes of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
