After his post-game crusade for the MVP was doubted by former players, Victor Wembanyama dropped 41 points in back-to-back outings. Udonis Haslem was arguably the harshest of these critics. He made it clear that he thought Wemby needed to score more to have a case, noting he averages “only 24” points per game. The 7’4″ center responded with the first consecutive 4o point double-doubles in franchise history.
Victor Wembanyama Responds to Doubts Over His MVP Case
The MVP Race Still Going Strong
Victor Wembanyama has retained his spot at the top of the Kia MVP Ladder as of April 3rd. However, he is not out of the woods yet. Most oddsmakers still favor the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Behind him is Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic. Doncic just suffered a hamstring injury last night against the OKC Thunder. He only needs to play one more game to qualify for awards, but it is unlikely that he will. He has an MRI scheduled for today that will shed more light on the injury. That leaves Jokic, who is seemingly being overlooked. He is averaging a triple-double of 27.7 points, 13.0 rebounds and 10.8 assists per game.
While already being the frontrunner according to the Kia MVP Ladder, Wembanyama added to his weakest point: scoring. The past two games have increased his average from 24.2 to 24.7. However, he missed the second half of a back-to-back against the Clippers, which will kill some of his momentum. How he plays in the remaining games matters. If he can keep his scoring above 30 points per game for the rest of the season, it would prove a point. It would show he can increase his scoring at will, and that his offensive game has been well-rounded throughout the season.
The race for the number one seed also matters. With only five games left, the Spurs are two games behind OKC. Although it is unlikely they can catch up, it would be huge if they did. Traditionally, the MVP award was for the best player on the best team. Having the best record would appease these more traditional voters.
Is It Really “Only 24” Points?
Udonis Haslem has quietly gained a reputation as a Victor Wembanyama doubter. For instance, he said that Chet Holmgren deserves Defensive Player of the Year over Wembanyama, despite averaging half as many blocks. He asked the NBA to investigate Wemby and how many violations and goaltends he gets away with. He even called out Wemby’s comments on OKC’s less than “ethical” basketball. So, with some of these claims being out of left field, is his concern legitimate? No.
Steph Curry won a unanimous MVP scoring similar points without the elite defense that Wemby brings. He won because his impact and the way he influenced the game was important. Victor Wembanyama brings the next stage of evolution, just like how Curry’s was the last. Agile, large players like him are the future, and his last two games helped prove it. His scoring numbers relate more to his aggression than to his abilities. At his size, and with teams trying to use smaller players and zone to guard, scoring in the paint is something he can do at will.
If anything, Wembanyama’s team holds him back. Minutes restrictions and injury precautions have lowered his minutes and killed scoring streaks. Although those are wise moves by the Spurs, they affect his stats. Haslem should know that if Wembanyama played the minutes that SGA did, he would have more than “only” 24 points.
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