Shaquille O'Neal boldly declares that Victor Wembanyama is the NBA's first perfect big man originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Antonio Spurs are now in the Western Conference Semifinals after beating the Portland Trail Blazers in five games. Victor Wembanyama was the Spurs' best player once again, showcasing his dominance on both ends.
While Wembanyama will credit his teammates in helping the Spurs win, he was the primary reason they won. In fact, the Trail Blazers did win their only game when Wembanyama went down with a concussion in Game 2.
Wembanyama has emerged as one of the league's biggest megastars this season. He was already a larger-than-life figure before, but he ascended into superstardom this season for the Spurs.
He now holds the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award and has led the Spurs to their first Western Conference Semifinals appearance since 2017, when Kawhi Leonard was their star player.
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Wembanyama is such a unique player because he can dominate every part of the game. Whether that's defense, offense in the paint, or offense in the perimeter, he is unstoppable.
Even three-time Finals MVP and NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal is giving him props. Considering Shaq is one of the hardest people to please in the NBA world, his praise for Wemby is extremely unique.
"I think Wemby is the first perfect big man that's ever been created. He can shoot, free throws, play defense, play offense, and he's a great team player. I'm happy for Wemby. For me, in a long time, he's a joy to watch," Shaq said on Inside The NBA after Game 5.
With that kind of co-sign, Wemby has plenty of potential to tap into moving forward. It will be challenging, but he has all the tools in his arsenal to become one of the greatest big men in NBA history like Shaq did.
Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox lead the Spurs past the plucky Trail Blazers
Victor Wembanyama leaves his father in awe of his defensive performance
Deni Avdija got a brutal hit on Stephon Castle in Game 5
Victor Wembanyama throws some shade at the NBA for his concussion return process
De'Aaron Fox calls out the referees for swallowing their whistles against Portland