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Victor Wembanyam Claims Some NBA Players Lost His Respect Because They Didn’t Work Hard Enough
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Victor Wembanyama spoke recently in an interview with Sports Illustrated. While talking about what surprised him the most about his rookie year, Wemby took the chance to take some shots at some unknown players, whom he was a fan of in the past, but then lost his admiration for them after seeing how they don't put in the work to the level he thought or expected of them.

“In a good and bad way, it's how the best in the game are. How, in a good way, some of them are really impressive and inspiring in the way they approach the game every night. But others that I used to like, now it’s like I’m just not sure they deserve it. Like they don’t seem like they put as much work in as I thought.”

Wembanyama didn't hold back when criticizing some players in the NBA for not working as hard as they needed to and coasting on their talent. While it may seem harsh from Wemby, it is good to see that his mentality dictates that hard work is the most important facet of success.

In the interview, Wemby did talk about the players in the NBA that he admires, and named Kevin Durant and Rudy Gobert as the players he respects the most. He also talked about his expectations for himself and the Spurs as they look to begin the new season with veteran All-Star point guard Chris Paul.

Wembanyama, despite being naturally gifted and an athletic freak, hasn't shied away from hard work and the grind that is required to be one of the best players in the NBA. And that hard work will be seen as the San Antonio Spurs start of the new NBA season.

Victor Wembanyama Struggling Out The Block

Victor Wembanyama has shown some rust in the first two preseason games he has played for the San Antonio Spurs. So far, he has scored just 11 points and 8 points in the first two games and has fared poorly in the first two outings he has had. In the two games he has played so far, Wemby is averaging 9.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game.

Last night, Wemby seemed to struggle against the Miami Heat, putting up just 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal. Wemby went just 3-6 from the field, and a dismal 1-4 from the three-point line, which was surprising given what we saw from him last season and this summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Wembanyama was sensational at the Paris Olympics with France, as he averaged 15.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. He helped France reach the gold medal game, but were bested by a dominant Team USA, and had to settle for Silver.

In fact, in the same interview, Wembanayma noted that his goal is to secure the gold medal in the future, and that is more important than winning an NBA championship for him. With the way the French players in the NBA have developed over the last few years, he will have a strong chance to do that in 2028.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

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