Once again, San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama exerted his dominance.
Just like an old-school center, Wembanyama showcased his scoring skills in the post and his defensive presence at the rim. Just like a modern-day big, Wembanyama showcased his shooting range to open the game.
On and on the highlight reels went until the Spurs ended with a 118-91 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. The outcome forced the best thing about the NBA playoffs: a Game 7 on Saturday. The play in between ensured Wembanyama’s Game 6 excellence with 28 points while shooting 10-for-21 from the field and 4-for-9 from 3-point range along with 10 rebounds and three blocks. That represented a much better version than what Wembanyama showed in a Game 5 loss with 20 points while going 4-for-15 overall and 0-for-5 from deep along with six boards and three blocks.
The Spurs and the 22-year-old Wemabanyama surely expected that to happen after cementing himself as the NBA’s best two-way player in only his third NBA season. That also led to Wembanyama finishing third for the NBA’s regular-season MVP award. But Wembanyama didn’t just flex his offensive and defensive talent in Game 6. He also displayed how to thrive in adversity.
After the Thunder limited him with varying double teams and one-on-one matchups, Wembanyama became an unstoppable force. After becoming frustrating with the Thunder’s physicality, Wembanyama seemed more composed. After becoming annoyed enough to skip league-mandated post-game interviews following Game 5, Wembanyama appeared much more reflective on managing both success and failure following Game 6.
At only 22 years old, Wembanyama still has plenty of years to further cement himself as the NBA’s best player both in performance and accolades. He has plenty of time to harness how he internalizes setbacks. He has plenty of seasons to figure out how to fuel his competitive edge. At only 22 years old, however, Wembanyama has already appeared pretty close in blending all of those potentially contrasting qualities together.
Wembanyama becomes highly-critical of himself when he doesn’t excel. He becomes chippy toward his opponents when they succeed at his expense. He follows mindfulness practice when he becomes upset. Because of those qualities, Wembanyama will rarely become complacent with success. Because of those qualities, Wembanyama will always become motivated from failure.
Because Wembanyama nurses those mature qualities, it remains disappointing that he skipped on league-imposed post-game interviews following the Spurs’ Game 5 loss. Yes, the NBA only gave him a warning over a fine because he was a first-time offender. Yes, neither Spurs officials or teammates will hold Wembanyama in contempt should he ever do it again. Yes, media members will still likely vote Wembanyama for the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association “Magic Johnson Award,” which goes to a player that deals with the media and fans in a graceful manner.
Neither Wembanyama nor anyone else should lose sight, however, that his presence during post-game interviews matters. It will drive the NBA’s global popularity. It will enhance the lucrative media rights deal even more. It will tell everyone that he takes ownership of every positive and negative moment in his career.
Nonetheless, Wembanyama has also proven that he can lead strongly by letting his words do most of the talking. The latest example: how Wembanyama performed in Game 6. He opened the game making two 3s. He then blocked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s layup attempt. He joined David Robinson and Tim Duncan as the only players in franchise history to post at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in five playoff games in the same postseason run.
On a night that the Spurs could have ended their season, Wembanyama gave them new hope to upset the Thunder on the road in a decisive Game 7. At a time that a young phenom may seem satisfied with just appearing in his first playoffs, Wembanyama has operated like the restless vet eager to win his first NBA championship. At a time when young prospects still mostly rely on their talent, Wembanyama taps into his competitiveness, patience and team-oriented attitude.
Who knows if that will be enough at least this season. The top-seeded Thunder excelled in two Game 7s during last year’s NBA championship run in the second round against Denver and in the Finals against Indiana. The Thunder have also maintained resilience throughout this competitive playoff series. Even if the Spurs advance, the New York Knicks are well rested and have dominated arguably inferior competition with superior two-way consistency.
Wembanyama reminded his team, his opponent and the public, however, that he will embrace any challenge. He has succeeded during most of these moments not only because he possesses point-guard talent in a big-man’s body. Wembanyama already boasts the right mix of competitiveness, arrogance and humility following hardship.
