Former NBA center Paul Mokeski played 13 years in the NBA from 1979 to 1993, with the seven-footer playing for teams like the Cavaliers, Warriors, Rockets, Bucks, and Pistons. Mokeski opened up on the health issues that plague tall NBA players and how the same might be a concern for Victor Wembanyama to reporter Dusty Garza.
“The human body is not made to be so tall. From Darryl Dawkins and Moses Malone to Earl Cureton, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jack Haley, they all died from heart-related problems. This is what happens with tall players like me who played in the NBA. We notice the former tall players who have passed away and how they died. Yes, it is a concern.”
Mokeski is more positive about how Wembanyama’s health will turn out compared to Wilt Chamberlain and other older centers given the advances in training and medical knowledge on subjects like this.
“When you look at his training, he has taken it to the extreme. Yoga, stretching, and all that. We didn’t do those things. I wish we had. We did 15 jumping jacks and said, ‘Let’s play!’ He will have far fewer problems due to training and knowledge about it. I am less worried about someone like him now than, say, 25 years ago. He will be much better off than I was.”
There isn’t an obvious correlation that implies every tall NBA player will succumb to their body earlier than expected, with the 7’2″ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still thriving at age 77 and the 6’10” Bill Russell living to the age of 88.
Mokeski’s concerns are warranted, but nobody can control the natural order of things. Some live very long lives while others don’t, but Wembanyama is motivated to work on his body to keep himself in ideal condition for the court and his day-to-day life.
Victor Wembanyama Has GOAT Potential
The health and well-being of Victor Wembanyama is in everybody’s best interests as his rookie season has proven he is a prospect that nobody has ever seen before. He will go down in NBA history as arguably the greatest rookie defender to come into the NBA, dominating last season and finishing second in DPOY voting as a rookie.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is an all-time great who will compete against Wemby over the coming years, with the Greek Freak believing that Wembanyama has the potential to be the GOAT.
“He has the chance to be the best. Not at his age, not in Europe… but one of the best to ever play this game.”
Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks in an incredible rookie season which helped him win the 2024 Rookie of the Year unanimously, despite Chet Holmgren having an all-time great rookie season of his own.
With the San Antonio Spurs adding veterans like Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes this offseason, the team intends to be competitive in a tough West. If Wembanyama takes a sophomore season leap, the Spurs could be competing amongst the best in the NBA with a 20-year-old MVP candidate set to be the next iconic franchise cornerstone.
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