NBA analyst Danny Parkins defends Victor Wembanyama and sides with his approach of actively pursuing the regular-season MVP award, as he remains in a close contest with the defending champion, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Spurs standout has helped his team to a 59-18 record and a second-place finish in the Western Conference standings, trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBA Analyst Danny Parkins Throws Support Behind Victor Wembanyama as He Actively Pursues MVP Award
Wembanyama has established himself as one of the most dominant two-way players in the league, playing at a superstar level in the 2025-26 season. He has emerged as one of the league leaders in rebounds and blocks, anchoring both ends, and also shining bright as a phenomenal rim protector.
A generational defender, the 22-year-old is a mainstay in MVP and Defensive Player of the Year conversations. Sitting at the top of the NBA MVP poll this season, the Spurs player openly campaigned for the MVP honor and explained why he desires it so much, citing the Hall of Famers who grabbed it early on in their careers, and also inspired him to take the same path.
“I think that all the greats that are in the Hall of Fame, that are in our mind the best of all time, they have fought and grabbed everything they could early on in their career. If I want to make my spot among the greats, I gotta try to not miss any occasion I have to put my name up there.”
After making his MVP case, Wembanyama received backing from analyst Parkins, who believes that the Spurs’ superstar’s approach to see himself among the greats is what makes him an ideal nominee. He also emphasized that the defensive powerhouse has been backing his case up with wins.
“He’s clearly gunning for it. No doubt about that, and that’s awesome. Like, it’s okay. But I’m consistent on this. I like brashness and calling your shot. Like, I like Timothée Chalamet saying I want to go down as one of the all-time greats. And people are like, “I don’t know, you’re 29, it’s a little off-putting. I’m like, no, I want my elite artists, athletes to know that they’re great, if they actually are and can back it up. And that’s what Wemby’s doing. And he’s doing it in the context also with winning,” he said on First Things First.
READ MORE: MVP Contender Victor Wembanyama Officially Surpasses Spurs Legend Tim Duncan’s Rebounding Feat
Wembanyama made history on Wednesday night against the injury-riddled Golden State Warriors, notching 41 points and 18 rebounds in a 127-113 win. It was his second straight 41-point performance and fifth in a row with at least 15 rebounds, marking the first time a Spurs player recorded such a stat line since Dennis Rodman.
The 2023 first overall draft pick faced a sudden roadblock as he sat out the game against the LA Clippers due to right ankle management, which may not threaten his MVP bid. He has appeared in 62 games, with just three more needed to reach the 65-game threshold for award eligibility.
