SAN ANTONIO — After just one NBA season, San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama showed how dominant he can be on both ends of the floor.
He is a menace defensively and offensively, he can score in many ways, either away from the basket or from the three-point line.
However, Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal continues to doubt Wemby's place among the top NBA players.
It wasn't too long ago that Shaq shared his doubts about whether the Spurs center can be dominant based on his perimeter game.
Speaking on "The Pat McAfee Show," Shaq questioned if the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year can be dominant in taking jump shots.
“Wemby is a great player, but I don't really think you can be dominant when you shoot jumpers a lot,” O'Neal said. “I think if he was an inside player at 7'5", the answer will be 'yes' but when you shoot jumpers, you're always going to go up and down. But he's a fine player; I wish him well."
Well, Shaq doubled down on that by adding that Wemby still has not proven he can carry the Spurs to the postseason.
"So, he was really good," Shaq told Bleacher Report during his player rankings. "But when your team don't make the playoffs. When you're that guy and all the pressure is on you, don't matter who you got on with you, you have to win."
Said Shaq: "And I hope this upsets him."
Shaq credited the Spurs for adding Chris Paul and other moves to help Wembanyama, but he is still not ready to push Wemby into the upper crust of NBA players.
Last season, Wemby averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. He also led the league in blocked shots at 3.6 per game.
However, the Spurs only recorded 22 wins and missed the playoffs again.
That is not entirely Wemby's fault. The team needs multiple stars, and the Spurs are currently rebuilding. That falls on the management, Brian Wright and others within the organization to push the Spurs to the playoffs.
Not to mention, other teams are ahead in their rebuild or just set in roster talent. Other stars and their team did not leap into the postseason immediately.
It takes time but when the Spurs do return to the postseason, you can bet Wemby will shoulder the load and do all he can to carry the team.
In case you were wondering, Shaq ranked Wemby the 30th-best player in the league.
What say you, Spurs fans? Let us know on X at KENS 5 and JeffGSpursKENS5.