Key Highlights
- Victor Wembanyama, the league’s most promising young player, is 7 feet 4 inches tall and plays for San Antonio.
- The author, an aging NBA fan, finds it challenging to appreciate Wembanyama despite his promise due to his size and unique playing style.
- Wembanyama’s extraordinary height makes him a freak in the context of basketball, excelling at dribbling and shooting beyond expectations for his stature.
- The article discusses how identification is central to fandom but is difficult with players like Wembanyama who are so unlike most other NBA stars.
The Evolution of Basketball: Is Victor Wembanyama Too Tall?
As an aging NBA fan, I find myself caught in a paradox. On one hand, the game is evolving, and it’s thrilling to witness new talents emerge who can redefine what’s possible on the court. On the other, some players—like Victor Wembanyama—are so different from the norm that their presence disrupts my ability to connect with basketball as I’ve always known it.
A New Era of Giants
Wembanyama stands at 7 feet 4 inches and is one of the tallest players in NBA history. His physical attributes are extraordinary, reminiscent of a praying mantis or even an alien, as LeBron James once dubbed him. This height not only sets him apart from his peers but also challenges traditional notions of how to play basketball.
Most tall players in the league are used primarily for shot blocking and rebounding.
Wembanyama, however, has mastered dribbling skills typically associated with smaller players. He can pull up and shoot from beyond the three-point line with ease, something that would be impossible for a 7-footer to do effectively.
The Uniqueness of Wembanyama
Shea Serrano, a Spurs fan and author, describes how unusual it is to see a 7-footer dribbling the ball up the court. According to him, when Wembanyama does so, it’s “good and right and holy.” This unique ability makes him stand out not just in terms of height but also in his playing style.
Wembanyama’s movement with the ball is fluid and effortless, often leaving defenders behind or making spectacular alley-oop dunks that look more like chin-ups. His presence on the court is almost surreal, as if he’s an outlier in a league dominated by more traditional basketball bodies.
Fandom and Identification
The author notes that identification with players is crucial for fans; it allows us to imagine ourselves playing their moves or achieving similar feats. However, Wembanyama’s uniqueness makes this impossible. His height and skills are so far beyond the norm that they challenge the very concept of what a basketball player should be.
Other NBA stars like Steph Curry have physical attributes closer to the average person’s fantasy of greatness—taller than most but not towering giants like Wembanyama. This makes it easier for fans to relate and aspire, even if their dreams remain unattainable in reality.
The Future of Basketball
Victor Wembanyama may be the vanguard of a new era where even taller players with exceptional ball-handling skills become more common. The NBA might soon see a league stacked with giants who can shoot and handle the ball as deftly as smaller players.
While it’s uncertain if my eyes will adjust to this new reality, Wembanyama’s first season was nothing short of remarkable. He won Rookie of the Year and could have been named best defender had he not been injured.
Nike has already given him a signature shoe, recognizing his potential as more than just a freak but as an influential player in the sport’s future.
As I continue to watch Wembanyama play, I can’t help but wonder what this means for the game of basketball and how it will evolve with players like him leading the way. Will fans eventually adapt to his playing style? Or will he become a relic of an era where size and traditional skills were more dominant?
The evolution of sports is always fascinating, and Wembanyama’s presence forces us to reconsider what’s possible on the court. Whether we can appreciate him as just another star or see him for the unique player he is, remains to be seen.