Victor Wembanyama has taken the top spot in MVP voting after his response to a postgame question about his candidacy went viral. He has risen to No. 1 after hovering in the top five throughout 2026. With the San Antonio Spurs holding the best win-loss record since New Year’s Day, it is no wonder why his words hold weight.
How Victor Wembanyama’s Words Shook Up The MVP Race
“Defense is 50% Of The Game”
When asked to list three arguments for why he was the NBA’s MVP, Wemby did not hesitate with his first, saying, “Defense is 50% of the game”. Only averaging 24.2 points, the star center is far behind other MVP candidates in terms of scoring numbers. But wisely, he did not hesitate to mention his arguably unparalleled defensive presence. Being the clear frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year helps his case as well. Wemby also mentioned the Spurs’ four wins over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and that his offense has more of an impact than what the stat sheets would show.
However, what makes these comments really impressive is the fast response to them. Just a few days later, Wembanyama knocked off OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the No. 1 spot in the Kia MVP Ladder Tracker. This is notable since the last MVP to average less points than Wembanyama was Steph Curry in 2015. There is a clear bias in the race for offense, with players like James Harden winning the award despite the criticisms around his defense. It is rare to see Wembanyama speak out in such a direct way. This likely helped his words spread.
Reactions From Other NBA Players
Draymond Green recently chimed in on Wembanyama’s statements. Green applauded Wemby but also implied that he was stating the obvious. “No one realized that 50% of the game we play is on that end of the floor?” Green asked in astonishment. He seemed frustrated by the national media’s response to Wemby’s comments yet relieved that MVP voters were recognizing defense as a key component.
However, NBA on Prime’s cast was less impressed. Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, and Udonis Haslem all weighed in on each of Wemby’s arguments. The common theme was that he wasn’t putting up enough stats on the offensive end. But this is arguably a surface-level dive into Victor Wembanyama’s impact. His frame and shooting create all kinds of spacing for the offense, not to mention the Spurs are a pass-first team, which limits his assist potential.
The Last Word
Whether or not Wemby has a convincing case for MVP, his ability to easily change the conversation is unique. MVP candidates making their own cases for why they should win isn’t new. What makes Wemby’s situation special is that many have noticed his leap into league stardom. At only 22, he dominates teams on a near nightly basis, creating otherworldly highlights. His age and potential make him stand apart from the pack.
With the Spurs undeniably contenders, people are already making their picks for the next NBA champion. If the Spurs do win, and Wembanyama holds the Finals MVP trophy as the last snapshot of the season, those who didn’t vote for him to be regular-season MVP might feel a little silly.
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