Wemby's MVP Talk: A Rookie's Right or a Veteran's Headache?
Draymond Green, bless his heart, can always be counted on for a take. This time, it’s Victor Wembanyama’s self-proclaimed MVP aspirations that have the Warriors forward both "hating" and "absolutely loving" the whole thing. Wemby, after a dominant night against the Nuggets where he dropped 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, told reporters he didn't care about Rookie of the Year. He was chasing MVP. And honestly? Good for him.
Thing is, Green's "hate" part probably stems from a fundamental veteran belief: you earn that kind of talk. You don't just declare it in your first season. But the "love" part? That's the competitor in Draymond recognizing a kindred spirit. Someone who isn't afraid to say the quiet part out loud. We’re talking about a guy who, in his 71 games this season, averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. He also swatted away 3.6 shots a night, leading the league. That’s not just good for a rookie; that’s elite, full stop.
The Defense Debate
Here's the rub for Green, and frankly, for anyone who’s ever played serious basketball: Wemby mentioned his offensive improvements, his expanded range, his growing understanding of the game. All valid. But what he *didn't* explicitly highlight was defense. That's what seemed to irk Draymond. Green pointed out that the Spurs are still a losing team – they finished 2023-24 with a 22-60 record – and a large part of that is defensive lapses. San Antonio ranked 25th in defensive rating this season, giving up 117.8 points per 100 possessions.
Real talk: Wemby shouldn't *have* to state the importance of defense. It should be baked into his DNA. He’s already a generational rim protector, blocking shots at a historic rate for a rookie. His 274 total blocks this season were 86 more than the next closest player, Walker Kessler. But being a great individual defender isn't the same as elevating an entire team's defense. That’s where the leadership comes in, the communication, the constant effort on every possession that Green embodies. It’s the difference between a highlight block and stopping a five-man attack.
The Veteran's Perspective
Green’s reaction isn't just about Wemby. It's about the shift in how young stars view their path. Back in Draymond's early days, or even LeBron's, you put in the work, you won, *then* you talked MVP. Now, with social media and constant content, the self-promotion starts earlier. It’s a different era. But some things never change. You can put up monster numbers, like Wemby did with his 33-point, 18-rebound, 6-assist, 7-block performance against the Knicks in March, but if your team is still giving up 120 points on the regular, that MVP talk feels a little hollow to the old guard.
My hot take? Green's frustration, while valid from a traditionalist standpoint, misses the mark slightly. Wemby *is* the defense for the Spurs right now. He's covering for so many mistakes by his teammates, it's almost unfair to expect him to be a DPOY *and* an MVP on a rebuilding squad. He's already shown more defensive impact than most players do in their prime.
What's Next for Wemby
The kid has earned the right to speak his mind. He just dropped 40 points and 20 rebounds in a March loss to the Knicks, a stat line not seen by a rookie since Shaquille O'Neal in 1993. That’s rarefied air. He’s got the talent, the work ethic, and clearly, the confidence. The next step for him, and for the Spurs, is translating those individual flashes into consistent team success.
Look, Wemby's already a problem for the league. He's going to win multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards before his career is over. And an MVP? That's coming too. He just needs the right pieces around him, and a few more years to truly understand the nuances of team defense. I predict he'll win his first MVP by the 2026-27 season, and he won't have to utter a word about defense then; his play will do all the talking.