Former NBA superstar and LeBron James’ teammate Richard Jefferson recently spoke to Zach Collins on the Road Trippin’ podcast. Collins, set to start his 3rd season with the San Antonio Spurs, might be expecting reduced gametime considering Victor Wembanyama’s arrival to the team. During the discussion, Jefferson spoke about how Collins will have an important role on the team as the 7ft 5″ Wembanyama’s “enforcer,” even if he might end up with fewer games under his belt.
Advertisement
Wembanyama has generated huge speculation due to his unique combination of skills and size. With such huge expectations on the former French League player, he can expect some stern tests to follow in the upcoming NBA season.
Richard Jefferson wants Zach Collins to be Victor Wembanyama’s enforcer
Jefferson himself is well-versed in playing alongside big superstars. He won his one and only NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers alongside LeBron James and was often given a reduced role.
Zach Collins started just 26 of the 63 games he played in last season. However, as Wembanyama’s backup, Jefferson wants him to use his defense against those bullying Wemby. Jefferson initially talked about this aspect of Collins’ role:
“You don’t have to go like super crazy, but yo do recognize that you are Wemby’s enforcer right? I am not trying to tell you got to go out of character. I am not trying to be somebody different. But you are the five man, and there are going to be people trying to bully the big fella. I am just saying you are gonna have to protect the big fella.”
In response, Collins talked about how Wembanyama might not need him, as he himself has been working at the open gym lately. However, Jefferson claimed he wasn’t talking about fights in particular:
“Wait, you remember when Luka and Porzingis were getting in fights in the bubble? You gotta go and make sure these dudes are not messing with the young fella. You gotta make sure, there is an unspoken rule that, hey, keep it basketball. Don’t turn it into something else. It helps to know that he has a little bit of defence on the other side, a sort of big brother.”
He used Doncic and Porzingis as examples and claimed that younger players sometimes end up needing extra support. Despite the obvious talent Wembanyama possesses, he is still going to be a newcomer to the NBA.
Victor Wembanyama joins unique San Antonio Spurs tradition with boxing lessons
According to Sports Illustrated, every San Antonio Spurs first-round draftee undergoes boxing lessons from former world boxing champion Jesse James. From Tim Duncan in 1997, every first-round draftee of the franchise has undergone the same treatment.
As Collins also claimed, Wembanyama has also followed suit, leading to some hilarious photos alongside James. The boxing coach claimed that Victor Wembanyama actually took the lessons seriously, and worked hard.
