For the first time in his life, Victor Wembanyama will cross paths with LeBron James this Wednesday. The Spurs will host the Lakers twice this week, Wednesday and Friday. A clash of generations is brewing between two first choices of the Draft, two “chosen ones”, separated by two decades.
“It’s a slightly more important match than the others,” admits Victor Wembanyama. He’s an icon, someone you see all the time on television when you’re a kid. It will be even more special (than usual). »
James in 2003, Wembanyama in 2023: the crossroads of destinies
The two athletes never exchanged more than a handshake before a Lakers preseason game in Las Vegas in October 2022. But their bond is undeniable.
A unique status unites them: in the 21st century, no player has aroused such high expectations upon his arrival in the NBA. No player had to carry a heavier burden, either. James was “the Chosen One,” the one who was destined to rule the basketball world. Wembanyama, the “alien”, is now expected to broaden his horizons.
“When LeBron came to the NBA, it was the era of high school players joining the league. He was the best among them. Today we’re in the era where international players are at the top, and Victor is the greatest international prospect to ever join the NBA,” explained Brian Windhorst, who followed the Akron native through high school and for the majority of his career, crossed after the preseason game between San Antonio and Oklahoma City on October 9.
Both players also had beginnings marked by adversity. The Spurs, last in the Western Conference standings, have a record of three victories against 29 defeats. The Cavaliers, for their part, had suffered 16 defeats in their first 22 meetings.
Of course, there are significant differences between the Lakers’ wing and the Spurs’ interior. Origins, position and physique, among others… Many separate them. “For LeBron, it was about letting the technique catch up with his body. For Victor, it’s about letting the body catch up with its technique,” observed Windhorst. But these two paths converge towards the same destination: posterity.
Podcast: Will Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs recover?
Victor Wembanyama: “He’s someone I could learn from”
The “King” dubbed Victor Wembanyama long before his arrival in the NBA. He gave him the nickname “the alien”, which has stuck with him ever since. “Everyone is talking about unicorns lately, but he’s more of an alien,” LeBron James said after their short meeting. Nobody has ever seen anyone [comme lui]. »
LeBron on Victor Wembanyama: “Everybody’s been a unicorn over the last few years, but he’s more like an alien … He’s for sure a generational talent.”
(via @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/wWxl0lfkZh
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) October 6, 2022
“I think he must have been the first to call me that,” the Frenchman actually recalls. The latter does not hide his eagerness to measure himself against the best scorer in NBA history, and perhaps even to learn from him.
“If I can’t wait to talk with him? Of course ! He is someone who must have a lot of good advice, a lot of knowledge, probably more than all the players in this league, underlines Wembanyama. He’s someone I could learn things from. »
If the two athletes are on the same path, one has already arrived at their destination, while the other has not yet started their journey. The native of Chesnay is destined to succeed LeBron James and become the new face of the NBA. However, the handover — if it ever happens — will take time.
For the moment, their meeting is above all a rite of passage for the Spurs rookie. But if Victor fulfills the destiny assigned to him, he will acquire historical significance.
Victor Wembanyama ‘keeps the goal in mind’ despite losing record
2023-12-13 09:19:00
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