Inside The Spurs

'LeBron, Michael Jordan, Duncan': Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Expected to Be Among Greats

With an expected career ceiling of LeBron James and Michael Jordan, Victor Wembanyama has shoes to fill that only two people have ever worn before, leaving some to believe that the early comparisons have already crossed a line.

Matt Guzman

'LeBron, Michael Jordan, Duncan': Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Expected to Be Among Greats
'LeBron, Michael Jordan, Duncan': Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Expected to Be Among Greats /
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To say that the expectations already set for future San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama are high would be an understatement. 

The likely No. 1 overall pick stands at 7-3 — or 7-5 with shoes, as he says — but is just 19 years old, and has already garnered media attention beyond that of any other NBA prospect ... besides perhaps LeBron James. 

Wembanyama has since stated the excitement he has to join San Antonio and coach Gregg Popovich, even going as far as to say that he "has no fear" about the expectations set for him. 

But that hasn't stopped the media from doing it anyways. 

"If [Wembanyama] is Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant or Hakeem [Olajuwon], that's a disappointment," FS1's Chris Broussard said on First Things First. "I expect him to be one of the best players ever — to have a career like LeBron, Jordan, Duncan, Shaq or Kareem." 

The Duncan comparison is nothing new to Wembanyama, especially now that he is set to become a Spur and follow in the footsteps of the Hall-of-Famer, but to place the pressure of an already-established league legend may be going to far. 

"If Wembanyama turns into an MVP and one of the best players ever, and that's considered a disappointment," FS1's Nick Wright replied on Twitter. "Then we are setting this kid up to fail." 

Wright's statement makes sense, especially considering his key word: "kid". 

The soon-to-be rookie is entering the league with a target on his back, and not just by players. He'll already be labeled as a bust if he isn't the only name being considered for next season's Rookie of the Year Award. 

So have the expectations gone too far? Time will only tell, but either way, Wembanyama is ready for it. 

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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