Draymond Green, never one to shy from a microphone or a strong opinion, found himself in a peculiar spot after Victor Wembanyama's recent MVP declaration. Wemby, still a rookie, told the French outlet *Le Parisien* he considers himself "the MVP of the season." Green, on his podcast, initially scoffed. "He’s averaging 21 [points], 10 [rebounds], and 3 [blocks]," Green said. "That’s not an MVP."
Look, Green knows what an MVP looks like. He's played alongside four-time MVP Stephen Curry. He’s seen LeBron James dominate for years. Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs finished the 2023-24 season with a dismal 22-60 record, second-worst in the Western Conference. Nikola Jokic, the likely MVP, led the Denver Nuggets to 57 wins. The statistical gap, let alone the team success gap, is enormous. Wembanyama's 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game are historic for a rookie, but not MVP-level in a league with Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Here's the thing: you could almost hear Green’s internal struggle. The veteran forward, known for his relentless self-belief and often provocative statements, had to appreciate the sheer audacity. Green himself once declared the 2015-16 Warriors, a team that won 73 games, were "the greatest team ever." He’s always backed himself and his team, sometimes to the point of hyperbole. Wemby’s comment, in a way, was a reflection of Green's own competitive fire. It’s the kind of confidence that separates the good from the truly great, even if it’s wildly premature.
Green himself has never shied away from an outlandish claim. Remember when he told Kevin Durant, mid-game, "We don't need you"? That's the kind of ego and belief that drives champions. Wemby, at 20 years old, is displaying that same unshakeable self-conviction. He’s a generational talent, the first rookie since Shaquille O'Neal in 1992-93 to average over 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. His 3.6 blocks per game led the entire NBA. This isn't just hype; it's tangible production.
So why the initial dismissal from Green? Because there’s a difference between confidence and delusion. Green understands the grind. He knows the sacrifices and the team success required for MVP conversations. The Spurs lost 18 consecutive games from October 29 to December 17, a franchise record. You don't get MVP consideration when your team is that bad. Green's Warriors won 67, 73, and 67 games in their championship runs. Team success is paramount.
Real talk: Green probably sees a bit of his younger, more brash self in Wemby. And while he respects the moxie, he also knows the reality of the league. You earn that MVP talk. You don't just declare it. It’s a trophy for a winner, not just a statistical marvel on a losing team. Wemby's individual brilliance is undeniable; he had a 40-point, 20-rebound game against the Knicks on March 29, a feat not seen since Karl-Anthony Towns in 2019. But team wins matter more than individual highlight reels for this particular award.
Wemby will win an MVP, maybe even multiple. But it won't be next year. My bold prediction? He makes an All-NBA team within the next two seasons, but the MVP trophy waits until the Spurs are a top-four seed in the West.