Paul Pierce has stated that Victor Wembanyama is the most complete player to ever play the game, and he has been wowed by his offensive skill set.
The 7-foot-3 center scored 27 points to go with 17 assists in the San Antonio Spurs‘ win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, moving to a win away from making it to the Western Conference Finals. This, coming after he was ejected in their Game 4 defeat, before a similarly dominant Game 3 with 39 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.
In Game 1 of the series, he broke an NBA playoff record with 12 blocks, also scoring 11 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in an incredible triple-double performance.
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One of the youngest rosters in the league, the Spurs are incredibly reliant on Wembanyama, with DeAaron Fox and second-year point guard Stephon Castle being their primary ball-handlers and capable scorers behind him.
But the Spurs are still in the playoffs due to Wembanyama’s brilliance, with Pierce explaining why he’s more of a complete player than the likes of LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
Speaking on the No Fouls Given podcast, Pierce said: “I’m watching him, and I’m like, ‘This is the best basketball player I’ve ever seen play.’
Victor Wembanyama has established himself as one of the most dominant NBA players -Credit:Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images
“He is the most complete player we’ve ever seen play the game.
“Like, we can talk about Bron, Jordan, Joker, he is the most complete player in the history of the game.
“The way he influences the defense, then when he turns it offensive he’s making all kind of shots.”
Indeed, the sport has never seen an athlete of the caliber of Wembanyama.
At 7-foot-3, Wembanyama is not slow, is agile and has the ability to score from range while getting back in transition and affecting almost every shot inside.
It has completely changed the way teams play the Spurs, with big men scorers having a difficult day when being guarded by the Frenchman.
The Spurs are one game away from advancing to the Western Conference Finals, where they could face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who look to be dominant once again after winning the NBA Championship last season.
The Thunder have swept both the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers on the way to the finals in the West, awaiting to see if Wembanyama will be their opponents this time around.