Victor Wembanyama continues to prove he belongs among the NBA’s elite. After helping lead the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals in just his third season, the 22-year-old superstar has silenced many of the questions surrounding his game.
But one former NBA legend wanted to make something very clear following Wembanyama’s huge Game 3 performance.
Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal explained that his past comments about Wembanyama have often been misunderstood.
“I think a lot of people, especially the world, get misconstrued when I’m talking about big men,” O’Neal said on Inside the NBA after the Spurs’ victory. “I don’t want you to be like me, I want you to have a certain mentality. The same mentality that I saw [Barkley] have. The same mentality that I saw Patrick Ewing have, that Draymond has. He came out with a lot of energy, a lot of effort. I seen it the last series. Whenever he’s higher in scoring and playing like that, the team plays well. That’s all I’m asking him to do. I’m not asking him to be me, I’m asking him to have that mentality because this is what it takes to win a championship.”
O’Neal has frequently challenged modern big men throughout his broadcasting career, and Wembanyama has occasionally found himself included in those conversations.
Because of that, many fans interpreted Shaq’s criticism as wanting the Spurs star to play like a traditional center.
That was never the point.
Wembanyama’s unique combination of size, ball-handling, perimeter shooting and defensive dominance has already made him one of the most unconventional stars the league has ever seen. O’Neal’s comments were less about style and more about mindset.
The former Lakers superstar believes Wembanyama is at his best when he attacks with force and energy, putting pressure on defenses rather than settling for jump shots. When that version of Wembanyama shows up, it tends to elevate the entire Spurs roster.
The timing of Shaq’s comments comes as Wembanyama continues to build an impressive Finals résumé.
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