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San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is coming off one of the best rookie seasons in NBA history. Wembanyama's abilities are getting noticed around the league, and he earned further praise from Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball. Ball dropped an eye-opening take on Wembanyama's GOAT (Greatest of All Time) potential.
“[Victor Wembanyama] might be the best defensive player we’ve ever seen…He has a chance to be the best player ever, potentially. I'll say that right now,” Ball said via The WAE Show.
Ball's GOAT opinion holds credence given the flashes of stardom Victor Wembanyama showed during the 2023-24 season. The 7'4″ center scored from all three levels and made defensive plays look effortless. He averaged 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks through 69 games. As a result, he won the NBA's Rookie of the Year award and was a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.
If there is one player who represents the idea of a basketball unicorn, Wembanyama is him. Whether it is shot creation, deep-range shooting, or straight-up bully ball, Wembanyama has an endless arsenal to light opposing defenses up.
He is nearly unguardable and creates a unique dynamic for the Spurs offense. Wembanyama's defensive abilities speak for themselves. As the tallest player in the NBA with the longest reach, players have to think multiple times before driving on the star center.
All this considered, Wembanyama might fulfill Lonzo Ball's prediction and become the NBA GOAT. He has plenty of work to do before that happens though. The Spurs finished the 2023-24 season with a lowly 22-60 record. Wembanyama must find a way to help his production translate into better team success.
Meanwhile, Lonzo Ball wants to help his team ascend as well.
Lonzo Ball looks to help take the Bulls to the next level again
Chicago went 39-43 in 2023-24 and was forced to go through the Play-In Tournament for an official playoff spot. The Bulls beat the Atlanta Hawks in the first round but unfortunately took a tough loss to the Miami Heat in their second game. Thus, they lost the rights to the Eastern Conference's eighth seed. Chicago has not made the playoffs since the 2021-22 season. Ironically, this was the last time Lonzo Ball was healthy.
Ball was having a career season before knee ailments derailed him for two years. The former 2017 second overall pick averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5,1 assists, and career-highs of 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks in 35 games with Chicago. He was a true difference-maker, and the Bulls have not been the same without him.
Star forward DeMar DeRozan spoke highly of Ball amid his return from injury in mid-April.
“One thing about ‘Zo, he's been one of the strongest individuals I've seen, how positive he has stayed,” DeRozan claimed.
“I haven't had a chance to see his workouts in person. But when I check on him, it's always positive feedback. I'm hoping for the best…There's not a day not a day that goes by that I don't think about when we had Lonzo and how he was playing–how we were playing–and the things he was doing on the court was remarkable.”
Once Lonzo Ball gets back on the court, the Bulls will have a chance to reclaim one of the top spots in the Eastern Conference.
