{"id":69197,"date":"2024-03-20T12:08:29","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T16:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=69197"},"modified":"2024-03-20T12:10:11","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T16:10:11","slug":"nba-kyrie-irving-dpoy-award-case-victor-wembanyama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/03\/20\/nba-kyrie-irving-dpoy-award-case-victor-wembanyama\/","title":{"rendered":"Mavs Star Makes NBA Award Case for Spurs Pillar"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the NBA world showers Kyrie Irving<\/a> with praise for his unrivaled skill<\/a>, Irving is doing the same for a player who could very well be the face of the league when LeBron James<\/a> retires.<\/p>\n

After facing the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, Irving spoke about his experience facing Victor Wembanyama<\/a>. It\u2019s a common question that\u2019s led to intriguing responses<\/a>, even from James himself. James, the last player to enter the NBA with so much fanfare, says that the Wembanyama \u201chas no ceiling<\/a>\u201d as a player.<\/p>\n

Irving, the hoops savant with a high basketball IQ and a pure love for the sport \u2014for his craft \u2014was more detailed in his discussion about what Wembanyama offers as a player. Though focusing on just this season, he was more specific about what Wembanyama can achieve in the Association.<\/p>\n

Kyrie Irving Makes DPOY Award Case for Victor Wembanyama<\/h2>\n

Just a week after Golden State Warriors all-world defender Draymond Green<\/a> called foul on Wembanyama being in consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year Award, Irving has touted the potential<\/a> of the 2023 No. 1 pick to do just that.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe does do things like a Defensive Player of the Year would,\u201d Irving says, per Project Spurs\u2019 Paul Garcia. \u201cHe’s showing signs that he’s exceeded all the Defensive Player of the Year stats of the previous guys… You guys see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Green believes that Wembanyama is probably a top-20 player<\/a> and on an MVP trajectory. It\u2019s hard to reconcile that stance with his belief that the Spurs being a poor defensive team as a whole should prevent him from winning<\/a> Defensive Player of the Year though. If Wembanyama is a top-20 player already, then why should the Spurs\u2019 general lack of defensive prowess prevent him from winning an individual award?<\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s for sure a candidate. I don’t know how he wouldn’t be, unless the games played and minutes.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As he continues to discuss the merits of Wembanyama winning, Irving says \u201cI don’t know who they’re going to pick. But, I mean, [Wembanyama] has all the tools to be named Defensive Player of the Year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Victor Wembanyama has more blocks AND steals than any of the last 9 players in their DPOY-winning season\u2026 and there\u2019s still 13 games left:<\/p>\n

Wembanyama \u2014 290 (and counting)
\nJaren Jackson Jr \u2014 254
\nMarcus Smart \u2014 137
\nRudy Gobert \u2014 230
\nGiannis Antetokounmpo \u2014 127
\nDraymond Green \u2014\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/oUqjuPP9wL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) March 20, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n