The Wemby effect is real. We're seeing it play out in free agency.
Back during the Spurs' playoff run we said: if you want to contend now, you have to build to match up with Wemby and beat him. (Scroll down and find it, if you want, ha.)
GMs and front offices must've had the same thought. And, now, the centers of the league are the ones cashing in.
Look at the money going around. Walker Kessler got more than he'd have gotten a few months ago. Hartenstein got years added. Mitchell Robinson, Mark Williams, Nurk, and shoot, even Jock Landale got paid.
And that's not the whole list.
The NBA has always moved in cycles like this. Some years it's the guards eating, some years the wings. Right now it's the bigs' turn again.
And they should all thank the S.T.A.T. Wemby.
Victor Wembanyama is averaging 29 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game this series.
But, all you’ll see is he’s being “dominated” in these NBA Finals.
The unfair standards fans hold him to is the problem with NBA discourse.
Wemby is having a terrific first Finals series at 22-years-old, and he and the Spurs are one win away from flipping the entire script, but everyone is quick to focus on his negatives.
Show some respect.
This man @wemby! Good Lord have mercy! The league is HIS. Unreal performance. Not so much for @shaiglalex on his MVP-Award night, and certainly not for @ChetHolmgren. It’s only Game 1, but what a statement, a message, by @wemby and the @spurs. Game 2 will determine if we even have a series, if @Wemby is gonna look like this!
On May 24, 1995, Hakeem watched David Robinson win the MVP that he thought he deserved, and responded with a 41-16-4-3-2 in a win.
Nearly 31 years later to the day, Wemby watched SGA win the MVP that he campaigned for, and responded with a 41-24-3-1-3.
Total brilliance.
Spurs are rolling out the youngest starting lineup in the all-time history of the NBA Conference Finals.
Harper (20)
Castle (21)
Vassell (25)
Champagnie (24)
Wembanyama (22)
Average age: 22 years, 346 days.
These very young @Spurs made it to the Conference Finals! Amazing work by players, coaches, staff, and everybody involved.
Now let's go for more! 💪
#GoSpursGo
Victor Wembanyama is genuinely unbelievable. No one could guard him.
39/15/5 - the 4th player to have 35/15/5 in the playoffs, joining Hakeem, Shaq, and Kareem.
At only age 22.
In his first NBA Playoffs.
To think there will be far better playoff performances than this one.
Breaking: Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 3 ranked player in the SC Next 100 for the Class of 2026, has committed to South Carolina, she tells ESPN’s @ShaneLaflin.