NBA legend claims Victor Wembanyama already tops LeBron, Jordan and Jokic in one key area originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Besides LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Nikola Jokic, few players enter the NBA's all-time conversations this early. But one league legend believes Victor Wembanyama already belongs above them in a key category.
Hall of Famer Paul Pierce made a stunning claim on a recent podcast that Wembanyama is the most complete player ever.
"He is the most complete player we've ever seen play the game. Like, we can talk about Bron, Jordan, Joker — he is the most complete player in the history of the game," Pierce said. "The way he influences the defense, then when he turns it offensive — he's just making all kinds of shots."
Pierce was not saying Wembanyama has a better career than those legends. His point centered on the 22-year-old's rare two-way impact at his size and age.
Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game this season for San Antonio. He led the entire NBA in blocks and has carried the Spurs into the Western Conference semifinals.
At 7-foot-4, Wembanyama blocks shots like a center but handles the ball and shoots like a guard. No player in NBA history has combined all those skills at that height before.
Fans pushed back against Pierce by pointing to Jordan's 6 championship rings. They also noted LeBron's 22 years of dominance across multiple NBA teams.
Jokic has won 3 MVP awards and an NBA title of his own. Critics argue Wembanyama still needs to prove durability and win big games to match those resumes.
Wembanyama is only in his second playoff run and already changing how the game is played. The talent is real, but now he must prove it year after year.
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