Pray For The Rest Of The NBA: Victor Wembanyama Has Gone From Training With Monks To Now Working Out With Kevin Garnett

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Since the minute Victor Wembanyama entered the NBA, he's talked about being great. When you're his level of prospect and have the type of expectations that Wemby has to deal with, being great is really the only option. Remember, this is a player who according to some, isn't even allowed to have a career similar to AD, KD, or HAKEEM OLAJUWON without it being seen as a "disappointment"

The good news for Wemby (and Spurs fans) is the fact that so far, through 117 career games in 1.5 seasons, Wemby very much looks destined for greatness. Because his season was cut short in February due to blood clots, I feel as though a lot of people sort fo forgot about what an absolutely insane 2024-25 season Wemby was having. He was a lock for DPOY/1st Team All Defense, was on pace for no lower than 2nd Team All NBA (and that might be low), and was playing at such a level on both ends of the floor that it felt inevitable that he would also finish top 5 in MVP voting. He was that dominant.

For everything to be happening so quickly in Wemby's career where he's not even close to a finished product as a player, is why it feels like he's destined for greatness. But part of that journey is a player's desire to achieve it. There are plenty of stars in the NBA who make max money, get all the accolades, and even win at a high level, who never go down as one of the greats. You know the saying hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard? That's true in every aspect of life, and especially NBA basketball. When you have that combination of all time talent AND and all time work ethic/desire to be great? 

That's how legends are made. 

Which brings us to the point of this blog. 

Giphy Images.

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Is it possible to love something and be completely terrified by it all at the same time? Because that's how I feel seeing KG and Wemby together. I love it because as someone who enjoys watching Wemby play, his putting in reps with KG is amazing. You want to be great? Surround yourself with greats, and KG is one of the greats. If I had to come up with a list of former greats that I would want Wemby to seek out and be molded by, KG is definitely near the top of the list. Imagine Wemby with even 20% of KG's mentality? Wemby is already showing signs of being a generational defender, well how about learning some tricks of the trade by one of the greatest defensive players ever? What the hell would that then look like?

On the other side of the ball,  if there's one weapon I'd like Wemby to add to his arsenal, it's an even more refined post up game. I'm not some boomer who thinks 3PT shooting is the devil and is ruining the sport, so I have no problem that Wemby shoots a shit ton of 3s. That's 2025 baby. But just imagine his 3 level scoring with these types of moves in his bag

Picture Wemby unleashing the KG post-fadeaway? Who's blocking that? It might be the most unblockable shot since Kareem's skyhook. 

Wemby began the summer training with monks, and he's ending the summer getting mentored by KG. That's what I call range, and I think it speaks to Wemby's desire to truly be one of the best to ever do it. Personally, I love seeing shit like this from the current generation of players. It was awesome to see Jayson Tatum work out with Kobe, LeBron and Giannis working out with Hakeem, Jaylen Brown working out with T-Mac, the list goes on and on. 

For Wemby, that player (so far) is KG. Seems like he heard his advice and decided to take him up on it, which rules

While I think it might get a little dicey for a former Rockets legend in Hakeem to help out a current Spur in Wemby, I love that he just went to the next name on that list, which should be KG. 

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All I know is I'm thankful my favorite team was able to secure their title during this window because Wemby's time is coming. With some players, it just feels inevitable. The way he immediately backed up his insane hype in his very first season, the fact that he came back even better in Year 2 and now is putting in the work with legends to be even better in Year 3? Yeah, it's a wrap. While the Spurs are still young, sometimes growth can happen quickly and before you know it, you're in contention. Just look at OKC. For pretty much all of NBA history, young teams weren't supposed to win. But when you have a generational talent?