Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks were searching for comparisons, but they couldn’t really come up with a perfect one for the unique player who already is living up to the hype as the NBA’s next big — and that’s meant literally — thing.
The Knicks will get their first live look at 7-foot-4 French import Victor Wembanyama when they face the Spurs on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The 19-year-old Wembanyama has averaged 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots over his first seven NBA games, including a 38-point effort in a road win last week over the Suns.
“He’s been very impressive. Obviously, was highly touted coming in, and he’s certainly lived up to the billing,” Thibodeau said when asked about Wembanyama after practice Tuesday in Tarrytown. “So unique, obviously the size, but every aspect — his demeanor, the skill set, how he interacts with his teammates, makes other people better. And then that size. It’s a lot.”
Knicks wing RJ Barrett called the rookie phenom “unreal,” but centers Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein largely will be tasked with defending against the mobile big man with the giant wingspan.
Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, also has made 12 of 37 attempts already from 3-point range.
“I knew he was gonna be good. I don’t know about this good so early on, especially what he’s done defensively, and then offensively, what he’s been doing,” Hartenstein said. “It’s exciting. I think the length he has, the different things he can do on the court, we haven’t seen in the NBA before.
“It’s gonna be a good challenge for me and Mitch. Me and Mitch don’t back down to really anybody, so we’re both excited for that matchup.”
Robinson, the NBA’s leader in offensive rebounding at 6.4 per game, admitted he’s been “paying attention” to the start of Wemanyama’s NBA career.
“I’m going to play him just like he’s one of those Kristaps Porzingis kind of [players],” Robinson said after Monday’s home win over the Clippers. “Who else plays like that? [Suns little-used 7-3 center] Bol Bol? Just gotta mix them two together. I kind of got a feel [for] how it should go. He’s going to be on the perimeter a lot. So I’ve just gotta move my feet. Just gotta get ready for that.”
Asked if he’s ever faced a big man with Wembanyama’s ball-handling skills, Robinson added, “I’m not really worried about the tallness, bro. Just go out there and play hard. I look forward to guarding anybody, that’s what this league is about. You’ve got to guard. Good players, bad players, it is what it is.”
Porzingis, the former Knicks unicorn who now plays for the Celtics, could be considered one natural comparison for Wembanyama due to his outside prowess.
While not making a direct comparison, Thibodeau also brought up a Hall of Fame center he coached with the Rockets.
“I think it’s hard to [make comparisons.] You look at different aspects and say, ‘Oh, that reminds me of this guy a little bit, that guy a little bit.’ But he’s unique unto himself,” Thibodeau said. “And I think it’s the evolution of the big man, too.
“They’re like guards in terms of [how] he can handle the ball and he can shoot the ball. There’s not anything that he can’t do. I had the opportunity to coach Yao [Ming] in Houston. He was very skilled and had great touch, but not as athletic. But we were amazed at the things he did. Just to see all the different aspects of [Wembanyama’s] game, is very impressive.”
Both teams enter Wednesday’s game at 3-4, but Wembanyama’s presence should make for an electric night in the touted rookie’s MSG debut.
“Special talent. What is he, 7-5, 7-6, something like that? Just seeing what he’s doing is amazing for our league,” Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo said. “It’s going to be a good challenge for us. I think everybody will be locked in and ready to go, and it will be a fun game.”
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