Warriors guard Chris Paul has a unique take on which player is the next in line to step. under the spotlight. In a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, the 6’0″ point guard said it isn’t just a single guy that will define the next era of the game.
“I don’t think there’s just a next one and all these guys are so good in their own right and I think the way media works today, you’re only as good as your last game,” said Paul. “Luka is good for one minute, then everybody is talking about Shai, then it’s Anthony Edwards, then it’s the next person. Everybody was in love with JT. I think for those guys, they just gotta keep their heads down and keep doing the work.”
"I don't think there's just a next one and all these guys are so good..
Wemby is different and he's the guy you're talking about after the game" ~ @CP3 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/2tSo0R9tWP
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 6, 2024
As an 18-year NBA veteran and 12x All-Star, Chris Paul is more qualified than most to advise the NBA’s young rising stars and there is some wisdom to be found in his words. In a league where narratives change faster than the tides, players shouldn’t bother with trying to stake their claim as the face of the league.
Instead, if they just ignore the noise and work harder than the rest, success will be much easier found. For 39-year-old Paul, who managed to build a great yet humble career in the league, he was never gunning for the NBA’s top spot but he stayed in his lane and did what he could to maximize his potential both on and off the court.
Young stars today would be much better served following his example than to fall into the trap of trying to meet public expectations. Even so, there are a few players who stand out above the rest, and Victor Wembanyama is arguably the most prominent of all.
Chris Paul Says Victor Wembanyama Is “Different”
Despite Paul’s initial resistance to naming a particular player, he eventually conceded on the potential of Spurs rookie, Victor Wembanyama. The 7’4″ center from France has earned worldwide recognition for his skills and potential, which Paul says are second to none.
“Wemby is different and he’s the guy you’re talking about after the game”, said Paul. “Wemby is the guy that, after the game in the locker room we all were talking about playing against him. We literally all had to change how we shot a little bit.”
Victor validated his selection as the first overall pick last summer when he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game on 46% shooting. He was unanimously named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year for his efforts to complete one of the most impressive seasons by any first-year player in NBA history.
So when it comes to which guys can carry the future of basketball, Wembanyama may be the best answer out of any rising star right now. His game and personality are made for the spotlight and he has passed every test so far.
If Victor is smart, however, he should focus more on helping the Spurs win games than trying to prove himself as the next big thing. As long as he doesn’t try to rush the process or skip steps in his basketball development, he should be on the fast track to stardom. If other young players like Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant follow a similar approach it could help them find balance in their careers.
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