Julius Erving: Victor Wembanyama Will Bring Back NBA Centers’ Lost Glory
With Victor Wembanyama's meteoric rise to stardom demanding more attention, Julius Erving was quick to highlight what it could mean for NBA centers.
In a recent interview with Scoop B. Robinson, NBA legend Julius Erving expressed his belief that Victor Wembanyama could bring back the lost glory of NBA centers. Erving noted that while wing players have dominated the game in recent years, the traditional center's role has become less prominent. However, Wembanyama's exceptional skills and potential make him a promising candidate to change this trend.
A 22-year-old player, Wembanyama finished third in MVP voting the previous season, averaging 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. His defensive prowess, including a league-high 3.1 blocks per game, earned him the NBA's first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award. Erving acknowledged the dominance of guards and forwards in modern NBA MVP discussions, but believes Wembanyama could shift the focus back to centers.
With Wembanyama's emergence, the narrative surrounding NBA centers could be revitalized, following the footsteps of legendary big men like Shaquille O'Neal, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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