Charles Barkley is not prepared to call San Antonio Spurs Stars Victor Wembanyama “League’s face” yet. In fact, the NBA Hall of Famer Titles believes as what needs to be earned.
And according to Barkley, it’s not earned yet.
Chucks Global Stars’ Victor Wembanyama (1) moves after sinking a basket against Kenny’s Young Stars under Game 1 by NBA All-Star Game in Chase Center in San Francisco, Sunday 16 February 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Barkley raised the topic during TNT’s “Tip-off” Show Thursday night and said he has been “annoyed” by those who call the young French basketball player “The face of the league.”
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“I saw some guys on another network here in the day talk about ‘the league.’ And I was so annoyed, ”he began.
“First of all, you don’t give any ‘the league.’ I’m right, Shaq, “Barkley told his co-host and colleague Hall of Famer, Shaquille O’Neal.
“Shaq took a creature [face of the league]. When [Magic Johnson] And Larry Bird came in, they are like, ‘We are the new Lensmann in the city.’ Shaq took it, Kobe [Bryant] took it, LeBron [James] Took it, Steph [Curry] took it. “
Phoenix Sun’s former player Charles Barkley present in the Footprint Center on January 21, 2023. (Mark J. Revilas-usa Today Sports)
Spurs -Star Victor Wembanyama misses the rest of the season over blood clot
“You don’t give anyone ‘the game on the game,’ you’re taking it,” Barkley continued.
Wembanyama, this year’s reigning rookie, was largely considered Frontrunner for this year’s defensive player until the team announced on Thursday that he is likely to miss the rest of the regular season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder.
He was an average of 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 3.7 assists and is the first NBA player to take 403 3-Pointers and blocked 176 shots in a season-something he achieved before all- Star break.
San Antonio Spurs ‘Victor Wembanyama (1), top right, commits to a shot set up by New York Knicks’ Josh Hart (3), top left, in the first half of a NBA basketball match, Wednesday, December 25, December 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Wembanyama was essentially not eligible for most awards for the season due to the league’s 65-game rule, which is in his second policy season. He has only played in 46 games.
