Wembanyama MVP – With the San Antonio Spurs trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder 2-1 after a 123-108 Game 3 loss, Mike D’Antoni has delivered a blunt verdict on Victor Wembanyama’s dominance—saying traditional rim attacks have “no chance” against him and that he will be MVP “for
For the third straight time in this series, the Spurs have been chasing the game—this time after an emphatic 123-108 Game 3 defeat that left San Antonio trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder 2-1.
But in the noise that follows a loss, it’s Victor Wembanyama who has kept drawing the loudest attention. As concerns build about physical play aimed at the 7-foot-4 star. Charles Barkley didn’t hide his frustration during an NBA on ESPN broadcast. He defended the contact with sarcasm. suggested people should “pray for Wembanyama. ” and then labeled critics as “clowns.” Barkley also argued that Oklahoma City wasn’t playing dirty. describing the contact as “some of the softest fouls” he has ever seen.
The debate wasn’t just basketball—Barkley took aim at the way it’s being covered. He expressed frustration with media narratives that, in his view, overreact to the physicality around Wembanyama.
While the conversation swirled around whether the physicality is being overstated. Mike D’Antoni moved the focus back to what Wembanyama actually does when the play starts. In an interview with ESPN. the longtime offensive strategist spoke with awe about the defensive disruption the Spurs can expect from him. arguing that conventional offense has a clear ceiling when it runs straight at the rim.
“If you’re just going to play traditionally and try to get to the rim, you’ve got no chance,” D’Antoni said.
He then explained why. D’Antoni said Wembanyama disrupts the pick-and-roll in a way that forces teams into uncomfortable decisions. Coaches typically teach defenders to stay “up with the screen,” but, D’Antoni argued, Wembanyama doesn’t have to. “He doesn’t have to be there. ” D’Antoni said. adding that the big man can drop back and still impact the shot.
“He can drop back and still impact the shot. He’s the only player who can do that. You can’t teach it, and you can’t work around it. That’s why he’s going to be the MVP for the next ten years,” D’Antoni said.
That kind of impact has a ripple effect beyond the stat sheet—especially when opponents see him leave the floor. The reaction is immediate: they celebrate because it becomes easier to attack without his defensive presence.
Even among players, the physicality discussion has mixed into humor. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards joked on his YouTube channel that he was “thrilled” when Wembanyama was ejected for elbowing Naz Reid. Edwards added a visual comparison, saying Wembanyama resembles an “8-foot-5 statue.”
Yet for all the jokes, the underlying basketball point keeps returning to D’Antoni’s claim: with Wembanyama anchoring their defense, the Spurs become “extremely difficult to defeat,” particularly when opponents try to solve the game with traditional approaches.
Right now, those qualities are being tested under pressure—because the scoreboard doesn’t lie. San Antonio is down 2-1 in the NBA Playoffs after its 123-108 Game 3 loss to Oklahoma City. and the next time Wembanyama steps into contact-heavy moments. the argument that Barkley and D’Antoni have stoked—about what’s soft foul noise versus what’s real defensive disruption—will keep following him into every possession.
Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Playoffs Game 3 Charles Barkley Mike D'Antoni Anthony Edwards Naz Reid MVP