Have you been watching the NBA playoffs? The San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama is a force to be reckoned with. A force that the Pelicans will see plenty of in the future.
Considering the Pelicans share the NBA’s Northwest Division with the Spurs and Wemby, they must seriously think about how they will handle the 7’4 phenom. The Pelicans went 1-3 against the Spurs last season, and Wemby is only getting better.
They will face the man they call the alien four times a season, not counting if the Pelicans are lucky enough to see the Spurs in the playoffs. The former rookie of the year is just 22 years old and figures to be wearing a Spurs jersey for a very long time.
If you haven’t watched any of Wemby in the playoffs, I highly recommend it. If you’re a basketball fan, it’s hard not to be entertained watching the alien do what he does on the court. Let’s just hope Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver are also paying attention, because they must figure out how to put a roster together to try and slow Wemby down.
Victor Wembanyama is called the alien for a reason
Not many players possess the skills Wemby has and no other player has those skills while standing 7’4 with an 8’0 wingspan. It really is eye-opening watching a man of his size dribble the basketball like a point guard and shoot threes like it’s his specialty. And on defense, well, it takes a lot to get anything past the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year in the paint.
I must admit, I kind of assumed Wemby would be on the weaker side physically simply considering how skinny he is. Then he sent a vicious elbow into the throat of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Naz Reid in the Western Conference semifinals. It’s clear that the alien isn’t going to let anyone push him around.
The good news is, Dumars has already spoken about the importance incorporating toughness on the Pelicans roster. They are going to need it.
The Pelicans are not equipped to stop Wemby
Currently, I do not see anyone on the Pelicans roster who can handle Wemby. Yves Missi is probably the closest, standing at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan. The 21st pick in the 2024 NBA Draft is also quite athletic himself and able to defend out on the perimeter when needed.
The issue Dumars and the Pelicans will face this offseason is that there really isn’t any player in the NBA currently who matches up with Wemby’s insane skills and measurements. Even the Timberwolves’ defensive stalwart Rudy Gobert has had issues containing Wemby.
The Pelicans’ best bet will be to watch these playoffs closely and take notes on what is and isn’t working against the French superstar.
I know this, as a basketball fan I always tune in to watch the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson drive to the paint against Wemby. Whether Williamson wins the battle or not it’s fun to watch.
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