{"id":1950161,"date":"2026-05-22T09:30:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T06:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1950161"},"modified":"2026-05-22T09:30:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T06:30:34","slug":"is-giannis-the-only-answer-for-victor-wembanyama-some-nba-execs-think-so","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1950161","title":{"rendered":"Is Giannis\u2019 the only answer for Victor Wembanyama? Some NBA execs think so"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Imagine being an NBA front office executive watching these Western Conference finals.<\/p>\n

You see Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4, 22-year-old basketball alien who descended upon San Antonio just a few short years ago, dominating in the kind of way we\u2019ve never seen against the historically great, reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. And you wonder, while scanning a roster that now seems so depressingly ill-equipped, how your team is supposed to deal with this terrifying talent for the next decade (plus) to come.<\/p>\n

That conversation is happening all around the league of late.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Wembanyama\u2019s early exploits in this series (tied 1-1, with Game 3 in San Antonio on Friday) merely confirm what was already known by most: He is the kind of generational two-way player who is so elite, and so unique, that he is changing the way teams are built. The hope for his foes \u2014 the prayer, really \u2014 is that you can somehow land enough players (big and small) with the sort of skillsets that give you a puncher\u2019s chance at stopping his superpowers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s kryptonite out there somewhere,\u201d as one Western Conference general manager put it.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

No matter what comes next, the bigger-picture issues that come with Wembanyama\u2019s arrival are as unavoidable as his eight-foot wingspan. Does that mean teams will suddenly load up on athletic, strong big men, like they did in the old days while trying to counter the likes of Wilt, Russell, Kareem, Hakeem or Shaq down low? Or, given Wembanyama\u2019s ability to play like a guard, do you chase those rare wings who have the right combination of size, speed and strength to mitigate what he does all over the floor?<\/p>\n

And with the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes already headlining this summer<\/a>, is there a chance teams might be even more willing to make a run at the Milwaukee star as a way of countering the Wemby effect?<\/p>\n

With those sorts of questions in mind, I discussed the impact of it all with a few veteran executives this week \u2014 two from the Western Conference and one from the East. They were granted anonymity by The Athletic<\/em> as a way of inspiring as much candor as possible. And while they certainly didn\u2019t have the answers, this much was clear: The people in their positions will search for them for a long time to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cTeams will definitely have to start figuring out, \u2018How do we get through this guy?\u2019\u201d the Eastern Conference executive said. \u201cSo you look at it, and it\u2019s like, \u2018What do we need? How do we build our team to get better to compete against (Wembanyama and the Spurs)?\u2019<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cTrust me, it\u2019s on everybody\u2019s mind. Teams will try to find ways that they can build a roster out to beat the Spurs, just like they are to beat OKC.\u201d<\/p>\n

First things first, teams must decide what sort of gameplan works best against Wemby before they decide what direction to take with their rosters. That, as we\u2019ve seen so far in this series, remains an open debate.<\/p>\n

The Thunder took the small-but-mighty approach in Game 1, using Alex Caruso (6-5, 186 pounds) and Jalen Williams (6-5, 211) on the 236-point Wembanyama for much of the night. Thunder big man Chet Holmgren (7-1, 208) spent some time guarding his rival, but Wembanyama had his way throughout the 122-115 double-overtime win. According to Stathead.com, Wembanyama was just the fifth player in league history to have at least 41 points, 24 rebounds and three blocks (regular season or playoffs), joining Chamberlain (who did it 12 times), Olajuwon (twice), Patrick Ewing (once) and Joe Barry Carroll (once).<\/p>\n

\n

But Thunder coach Mark Daigneault and his staff switched it up in Oklahoma City\u2019s 112-113 Game 2 win, putting big man Isaiah Hartenstein (seven feet, 249 pounds) on Wembanyama for the lion\u2019s share of the defensive duties, with cameos from the likes of Jaylin Williams (6-9, 240) and Lu Dort (6-4, 220). Wembanyama, in turn, finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks. His impact was certainly lessened from the series opener<\/a>, but he was still a serious problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the profile of a player, or the profile of a defense, that he struggles with?\u201d the Western Conference GM said rhetorically. \u201cThere\u2019s always an area you can attack, (and) his is the strength factor. It\u2019s better now than when he came into the league three years ago, but (still a weakness). And with OKC playing Caruso and Dort (on him), I get the thought process. But they\u2019re just too small. Then again, your 7-1, 7-2 guys aren\u2019t able to match up. I think you need to find someone in the 6-8, 6-10 range who\u2019s strong and athletic. They have to be strong enough to get into his body, to force him off the block, but quick enough to keep him in front. But the answers aren\u2019t readily available.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n If the Spurs advance, they could face their NBA Cup Final foe, the New York Knicks. (Ethan Miller \/ Getty Images)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Yet herein lies the irony: If the Spurs are able to get past the Thunder, they could be headed for a rematch in the NBA Finals against a team that did very well in a high-stakes Wembanyama test five months ago: The New York Knicks. After the Spurs eliminated the Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinal in mid-December, they fell 124-113 to the Knicks in the championship game, during which Wembanyama had just 18 points, six rebounds, one assist, one block and a game-worst minus-18 mark.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Knicks, with first-year coach Mike Brown pulling the strings, had Mitchell Robinson (7-0, 240) and Karl-Anthony Towns (7-0, 248) share the assignment, while OG Anunoby (6-7, 240) played the part of disruptor on the wings. Wembanyama had better luck in his other two outings against the Knicks this season (the teams split those games), but that Cup finale was the closest you\u2019ll find to a blueprint performance against him. As the Eastern Conference executive pointed out, there are already other teams rushing to collect that sort of skillset variety with, presumably, the hopes of slowing Wembanyama.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at what Utah did at (the February trade deadline), adding (6-10, 242-pound rim-protecting center) Jaren Jackson (in a trade with Memphis),\u201d the executive said. \u201cNow you have him and (7-1, 240-pound forward Lauri) Markkanen, with (7-2, 245-pound center Walker) Kessler potentially back (he\u2019s a restricted free agent this summer). It\u2019s like they\u2019re gearing up for that reality that they\u2019re gonna be facing (these Spurs) for the foreseeable future and need big, athletic, defensive-minded guys to combat Wemby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll see it in the draft, too, with the kid from Michigan (7-3, 260-pound center Aday Mara) going really high because he has size, is agile and is a pretty good defender.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

a.showcase-link-container {
\n display: flex;
\n gap: 20px;
\n flex-direction: column;
\n align-items: center;
\n padding: 20px 0px;
\n border-top: 1px solid rgba(150, 150, 147, 0.4);
\n border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(150, 150, 147, 0.4);
\n text-decoration: none;
\n color: #121212;
\n cursor: pointer;<\/p>\n

.showcase-link {
\n font-family: nyt-franklin;
\n font-size: 14px;
\n font-style: normal;
\n font-weight: 700;
\n line-height: 13.8px;
\n letter-spacing: 1.1px;
\n text-transform: uppercase;
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-image {
\n border-radius: 8px;
\n object-fit: cover;
\n width: 200px;
\n height: 150px;
\n margin: 0px;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n width: 120px;
\n height: 120px;
\n }
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-inner-content {
\n display: flex;
\n flex-direction: row;
\n gap: 16px;
\n width: 100%;
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-text-content {
\n display: flex;
\n flex-direction: column;
\n gap: 20px;
\n justify-content: center;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n gap: 8px;
\n }
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-title {
\n font-family: nyt-cheltenham;
\n font-size: 24px;
\n font-style: normal;
\n font-weight: 500;
\n line-height: 120%; \/* 24px *\/
\n letter-spacing: 0.01px;
\n text-overflow: ellipsis;
\n overflow: hidden;
\n display: -webkit-box;
\n -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
\n -webkit-line-clamp: 3;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n font-size: 16px;
\n }
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-excerpt {
\n font-family: nyt-imperial;
\n font-size: 16px;
\n font-style: normal;
\n font-weight: 400;
\n line-height: 139%; \/* 19.46px *\/
\n color: #323232;
\n text-overflow: ellipsis;
\n overflow: hidden;
\n display: -webkit-box;
\n -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
\n -webkit-line-clamp: 4;
\n @media (max-width: 600px) {
\n font-size: 12px;
\n line-height: 121%;
\n }
\n }
\n}<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-inputs {
\n .showcase-link-input {
\n width: 100%;
\n font-size: 1rem;
\n background-color: white;
\n margin-bottom: 12px;
\n }<\/p>\n

.showcase-link-indent {
\n margin-left: 25px;
\n }<\/p>\n

option {
\n width: 100%;
\n }
\n}<\/p>\n

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
\n .native-mobile a.showcase-link-container {
\n background-color: #121212;
\n color: #f0f0ee;
\n .showcase-link-excerpt {
\n color: #c4c4c0;
\n }
\n }
\n}<\/p>\n

\/\/ Remove all onclicks on imgs for apps to prevent image zoom on click
\n document.querySelectorAll(‘.showcase-link-image’).forEach((img) => img.removeAttribute(‘onclick’));<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What You Should Read Next<\/div>\n
\n \"Thunder<\/p>\n
\n
\n Thunder vs. Spurs looks set to be this generation\u2019s Lakers vs. Celtics\n <\/div>\n
\n Nothing is ever guaranteed in the NBA, but these two teams are set up for the future as well as any contenders we’ve seen in a long time.\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

As for the notion that the Bucks might have a more robust market for Antetokounmpo<\/a> because of what Wembanyama is doing, all three of the executives agreed that it\u2019s a logical conclusion. The 6\u201311, 243-pound \u201cGreek Freak\u201d still has one of the league\u2019s most elite physiques, with the athleticism and aggressive styles to maximize it, as well as the ability to play inside and out that is an absolute must.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Giannis is a matchup solution for Wemby, so I could definitely see teams factoring that in when they\u2019re discussing trading for him,\u201d one of the Western Conference executives said.<\/p>\n

When Wembanyama had his most memorable game yet in the series opener against the Thunder, I compared the viewing experience<\/a> (hypothetically speaking) to the equivalent of watching \u201cWilt and Russell all at once.\u201d Then again, that comparison made little sense considering he had just buried a three-pointer from more than 32 feet that forced the second overtime. So \u2026 Steph Curry meets Wilt combined with Russell?<\/p>\n

The comparisons, as we all agreed, are futile.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a problem from inside the halfcourt, and there\u2019s just no one like that,\u201d one of the West executives said with a laugh. \u201cAt least Shaq was human in the sense that you needed three centers to bang with him. You\u2019ve got 18 fouls (to work with). Maybe one was skilled, and the other two could hold him up while the other guys get rest. But there\u2019s no archetype like (Wembanyama) \u2014 no player ever. It\u2019s a problem, and it\u2019s going to be a problem for 15 years.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Imagine being an NBA front office executive watching these Western Conference finals. You see Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4, 22-year-old basketball alien who descended upon San Antonio just a few short years ago, dominating in the kind of way we\u2019ve never seen against the historically great, reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. And you wonder, while scanning […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,241],"class_list":["post-1950161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nytimes-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1950161","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1950161"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1950161\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1950161"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1950161"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1950161"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}