I want to start this article off by saying congratulations to the New York Knicks on winning their first NBA title in 53 years. Their playoff run will go down as one of the greatest playoffs runs ever. Might be THE best ever. Major props to coach Mike Brown for changing the culture and the style of play for the Knicks.
Now, with that shoutout out the way, let’s get down to the meat and potatoes of this article: Victor Wembanyama.
Wemby (as he’s nicknamed) is the new force of the NBA. Standing at an incredible 7 ‘4 with a wingspan out of this world, Wemby is slowly changing the way the game is played, and viewed. His half black/French roots, all around game (he can shoot threes like he’s Steph Curry) is slowly attracting a new audience of fans who are now into watching the NBA. Despite all of this new attention and him playing really good basketball, after the NBA Finals recently, there is a new question or two surrounding how Wemby is being promoted:
Is he truly the new face of the NBA? Or are we looking at the next big villain in sports?
Both questions can be true. On one hand, we are witnessing the twilight chapters of Lebron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and a few more. Yes, these future hall of famers are still playing high level basketball, but they can’t play forever (Well, maybe Lebron can. LOL). So the league is going to need a new face to carry them into the next era. And that face can be Wemby…unless he wants to embrace the dark side.
A few examples of that was during the NBA playoffs and the Finals. There were some very questionable plays from Wemby that screamed “dirty player”. One of the plays was in the Finals where we attempted a pick and ended up nearly kicking a Knicks player in his knees. There’s also him throwing NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson down on the floor (he would eventually earn himself a flagrant foul call). There is also him walking off the court after his Game 5 Finals loss, without shaking any of the Knicks players’ hands. Lastly, at the press conference after the game, he left us with a quote that is still talked about when he said “See you never again”.
All of these actions have led to some having a bitter taste in their mouth towards Wemby. Is he truly likable? Does he want to be likable? Is this the actions of a 22 year old kid? Will he grow up as he gets older and more experienced in the NBA? Will I truly see him in the Finals again? So many questions, but the bottom line is that the perspective has already changed towards Wemby. He’s a marvel to watch and it will be fun to see him grow and evolve as a player.
Whether or not that growth will carry over into the man himself, outside of his game, will be a different story.
Open Frame Media. 
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