LeBron James predicted this would happen.
When NBA fans were still trying to figure out what to make of Victor Wembanyama, The King of basketball doubled down on the Wemby hype.
Victor Wembanyama is starting to take his next big step[/caption]
“Everybody’s been a unicorn over the last few years, well, he’s more like an alien,” James said in 2022. “I’ve never seen — no one’s ever seen — anyone as tall as he is, but as fluid and as graceful on the floor.”
James’ “alien” prediction is coming true in 2024, all while the young San Antonio Spurs adjust to trying to win games without longtime head coach Gregg Popovich.
As the 75-year-old Popovich recovered from a mild stroke, San Antonio improved to 6-6 thanks to a historic night from the 20-year-old face of the Spurs.
Wembanyama scored a career-high 50 points in just 32 minutes on Wednesday, leading San Antonio to a 139-130 road victory over the Washington Wizards.
Wemby shot 18-of-29 from the floor and sank half of his 16 3-point attempts.
Adding in six rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocks, the French native became just the fourth player in NBA history to score 50 points at 20 years old.
James predicted Wembanyama’s generational impact and could only smile when the duo met on the hardwood last season.
“Hopefully he continues to stay healthy, that’s the most important for him personally,” James said.
“As you could tell, he loves the game. He was smiling a lot while playing the game.”
Wemby and the Spurs started slow this season.
Wembanyama was almost unstoppable as he entered the NBA record book[/caption]
A monster dunk highlighted a 50-point night[/caption]
LeBron James saw something special in Wemby before he even played in the NBA[/caption]
But the offseason addition of Chris Paul has clearly made an impact, while Wembanyama has scored 108 points in his last three games.
The Spurs have won three of four to reach .500 for the first time since their second contest of the season.
The 39-year-old Paul, who’s the same age as James, distributed a game-high 11 assists on a night when Wembanyama joined The King in the NBA record book.
“That’s what Chris Paul does,” Jonathan Feigen, longtime Rockets and NBA beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, exclusively told talkSPORT.
“Chris Paul is the Point God. But one thing about Chris Paul is, he’s one of the smartest players there’s ever been.
“He will put it in Wemby’s hands. And if Wemby steps back a little bit, he’ll go right back to him and he’ll be in his face and in his ear, and tell him, ‘Take over. This is who you are.’ “
Wembanyama joined Brandon Jennings, Devin Booker and James in NBA history.
After scoring 50 at 20 years and 314 days, it’s obvious to everyone watching that the NBA alien is only getting started.
“He’s his own player, own person,” Kevin Durant previously said. “He’s going to create his own lane and is much different than anyone else who has played.”
James had his own big night in the NBA, making history with another triple-double for the Los Angeles Lakers.
