Is Wembanyama’s play this season partly motivated by Holmgren winning an NBA title before him?
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs‘ Victor Wembanyama is seemingly on a mission this season to not only rack up wins but to put the league on notice that he has arrived.
After two shortened seasons, the Spurs center enters this season fully healthy and is leading the team to a perfect 4-0 start.
But could OKC’s Chet Holmgren, who won an NBA title before him, also be spurring him on the court?
According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, Holmgren’s NBA championship with the Thunder is lighting a fire under Wemby.
“I was told by somebody inside that room that Wemby is motivated by Chet. Chet having one up on him on the championship,” he said.
If true, this is not a significant shock.
Holmgren and Wembanyama have been on-court rivals for years, dating back to the Team USA versus Team France U20 tournaments.
In addition, they were both NBA rookies, even though some believe Holmgren should not have been, since he was drafted one year before Wemby, and their matchups have been must-watch TV.
Considering both share similar on-court skills for their size, and are seen as the prototype of the modern NBA big, it is no wonder they are seemingly rivals despite Holmgren saying there is no animosity between them.
The Spurs are poised to be among the best in the NBA this season, but NBA title dreams may be on hold at least for this season.
However, the Spurs are well-positioned to challenge the Thunder this season and beyond.