Victor Wembanyama's comments about "ragebaiting" reveal the Timberwolves' strategy originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Victor Wembanyama made headlines during Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The San Antonio Spurs' resident giant had a bad moment, as he elbowed Naz Reid in the neck, which promptly got Wemby ejected.
In the following game, it was clear that the Timberwolves' players were trying their best to frustrate Wembanyama. It seems Wemby himself figured that out, so he remained level-headed to avoid a similar situation.
Victor Wembanyama was well aware of the Timberwolves' ragebaiting approach
As the star player for the Spurs, Wembanyama operates under different expectations than most players. Everyone knows the system is centered on Wemby playing at his peak. With that, opponents will always try to figure out ways to beat the Spurs by messing with Wembanyama.
For a long time, Wemby has faced physical coverage, which has led to him reeling from the pain. Now that his ejection happened, some people are figuring out that frustrating or "ragebaiting" Wemby could be the right approach.
MORE: Victor Wembanyama wants everyone to move on from his Game 4 ejection
In Game 5, it was clear that players like Ayo Dosunmu and Anthony Edwards were trying to bait him into getting frustrated. Thankfully for Spurs fans, they have a level-headed superstar.
With the mistake he made in Game 4, Wembanyama has learned his lesson. Considering he has been one of the most malleable players in the league over the past three seasons, this will be a valuable lesson for him.
It has been tough dealing with all kinds of coverages and mind games, but Wembanyama will keep proving himself moving forward. This will be challenging, but the Spurs are lucky to have a superstar like him.
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