Victor Wembanyama starred in the San Antonio Spurs’ 115-114 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, and TNT Sports’ pundits discussed the road ahead for the Frenchman.
Shaquille O’Neal highlighted how the guidance of Spurs’ coach Gregg Popovich will be crucial to Wembanyama’s development.
“The good thing is he has a coach like Popovich, because usually when you’re down by 30 you quit, but they kept playing,” he told TNT Sports.
“He’s going to have to learn, he will be a great player. It’s different from the French league, but when you come in as a rookie, you’re just seeing things.”
Meanwhile Charles Barkley believes patience will be key and tempered expectations from those who expect Wembanyama to tear up the NBA straight away.
“The notion that a guy who is 18 or 19 is going to dominate the NBA right away is not going to happen; the players are too good,” he added.
“He’s in the Western Conference; other than the Portland Trailblazers who are having a complete rebuild, they’re not better than any team in the west.”
Kenny Smith also explained how Wembanyama can take inspiration from LeBron James’ improved decision making over the years.
“I’d have to agree with Chuck about this point about patience because it differentiates a good player from a great player, and an average player from a good one.
“When you don’t have experience like Wembanyama, he has the skill set but doesn’t always have the decision making.
“I’m talking about times when he’s not playing well, and then it’s about the decisions he makes; LeBron James understands the rationale of the game and when things should happen.
“Then it matches your skill set, because he has an unbelievable skill set.”
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