Victor Wembanyama Reveals How Last Season's Playoff Battles Changed His Approach To Competition And His NBA Identity

Victor Wembanyama rejects NBA villain label© ALEX GOODLETT / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Victor Wembanyama took the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals in his third season, won Defensive Player of the Year and made All-NBA. The Spurs lost the series to the New York Knicks in five games. He also picked up a label he never wanted. After a run of physical moments in the playoffs, some fans started calling him a dirty player. Now the 7-foot-4 star has responded. In a “60 Minutes” clip released Thursday, he said the postseason taught him where the line sits and admitted he crossed it at times.

Did Victor Wembanyama Cross The Line In The Playoffs?

The noise around Victor Wembanyama had been building for weeks. His elbow made contact with then-Minnesota center Naz Reid in the Western Conference semifinals. In the Finals, Knicks fans grew furious at times over how he defended Jalen Brunson. A player who had been easy to like became a New York villain almost overnight.

Asked about that image, Wembanyama said it did not bother him.

“No, it didn't because I'm not paying attention to this ... during the Finals. I don't think any player on either team really is,” he told “60 Minutes.”

He is not embracing the role, though. The forward said the run showed him the difference between a competitive edge and going a step too far.

“It showed my limits more than anything else. Going out there, you need to play basketball. You don't need to beat the s--- out of people. [laughs] If you wanna win, at least,” Wembanyama said.

One storyline never got an answer. Wembanyama stood with arms crossed during the national anthem before Game 1 on June 3, and he reportedly was not on the court for the anthems before Games 3 and 4. He has not explained the Game 1 moment publicly.

Why Does Shaq Want Wembanyama To Play Meaner?

Shaquille O'Neal looks at the same player and asks for more edge, not less. After San Antonio beat Utah 117-111 in overtime on Wednesday, the Lakers legend praised the 36-point, 14-rebound night and then pushed.

“But I would still like to see Victor play a little mean,” Shaq said. “He had 36 and 14 tonight. That was a really good game for him, but would love to see him play a little meaner.”

O'Neal also brought up a late shot against Houston, when guard Amen Thompson blocked Wembanyama at the rim.

“I would like him to at least bump the guy. Any smaller guy? Get him off,” O'Neal said.

The two views sit closer than they look. Wembanyama is talking about needless violence. O'Neal is talking about a shoulder on a drive, the kind of contact big men have always used to clear space. One is a foul risk. The other is basic center play.

The production is already there. Wembanyama is averaging 25.0 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.8 blocks through a 3-2 start. Coach Mitch Johnson wants steadier effort from the whole roster, and Wembanyama pointed to the long view with three words: “We're building.”

The next test comes Saturday, when the Spurs host the Timberwolves, the team from that second-round series.