Victor Wembanyama continues to perform at a level that places him among the NBA’s elite. At just 22 years old, the San Antonio Spurs star has used his 7-foot-4 frame and massive wingspan to become one of the league’s most dominant two-way forces.
Wembanyama is coming off a unanimous Defensive Player of the Year season as the Spurs hold a 1-0 series lead against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, and the debate over whether he is the face of the NBA continues to gain momentum.
LeSean McCoy Believes Victor Wembanyama Isn’t the Face of the NBA Yet
Already one of the league’s most popular players for his on-court production, Wembanyama has put together his best season yet and is one of the finalists for the MVP.
Many around the league, including Charles Barkley, believe he could become the next face of the NBA.
Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho shares that view, but two-time Super Bowl champion LeSean McCoy believes it is too soon to crown the French phenom.
“You want to give him an award so fast, let him earn it. He hasn’t won nothing yet but some awards. What are we talking about? Huh? Face of the league?” McCoy said on the latest episode of the “Speakeasy” show.
The former running back then asked his co-hosts whether they would take Giannis Antetokounmpo over Wembanyama. While they chose Wembanyama, McCoy sided with the “Greek Freak.”
“I’ll take the Greek Freak… I’ve watched him get better and better and develop over time, and I watched him win a championship without real superstars… He earned it. You’re giving him [Wemby] praise before he’s won anything.”
When Acho pointed out that Wembanyama became the first player to win Defensive Player of the Year unanimously, McCoy pushed back, emphasizing the importance of championships and MVP honors.
“You want to crown the guy? Give him the MVP… My man SGA is up for his second MVP back to back in another championship. And you’re talking you’re about it’s Wemby’s league?”
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However, McCoy has previously argued that the face of the league should be an American-born player, a stance that would exclude stars like Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Wembanyama, and Antetokounmpo himself.
At its core, McCoy’s argument centers on postseason success. Wembanyama has yet to prove himself on the biggest stage, and until he wins an MVP or a championship, some believe it is premature to label him the face of the NBA.
That reasoning has merit. However, if things go right for the Spurs, Wembanyama could enter that conversation sooner rather than later, even if the MVP race currently favors Gilgeous-Alexander.
