NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley seems to have always gotten a lot more leash than almost any sports celebrity. However, when asked about top NBA prospect Victor Wembanyama, he may have gone just a little too far.
Even for Sir Charles.
Let’s get right to what was truly a sizzling hot take from the beloved TNT analyst.
Even if you do just a little homework and particularly given all the recent success of European players in the NBA, a quote as harsh as “I can’t sit here now just because he is killing people over in the Czech Republic that he is going to come over here and dominate” is a really tough pill to swallow.
The details surrounding Wembanyama and all the work his team has put in are astounding. And frankly, awesome.
Wembanyama’s team, Boulogne-Levallois, appears to have done everything in its power to ensure he sees success in “The Association.”
Related: 2023 NBA mock draft: Latest projections with March Madness around the corner
Victor Wembanyama’s actual preparation for the NBA is outstanding
Here’s what NBA insider Brian Windhorst had to say during an appearance on “First Take” about all the preparation that has gone into the 19-year-old, who stands a whopping 7-foot-5 in sneakers.
“He has NBA agents who represent a bunch of French star players and they’ve constructed this entire year in France to get him ready for the NBA. The entire team he plays on in France is stocked with a roster with the sole purpose to get Victor ready.”
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on Wembanyama
Not sure we have ever heard of many teams doing just about everything possible to help out a teenager poised to enter the NBA, knowing they will sadly be without his services going forward.
But there’s more from Windhorst.
“This is unheard of in Europe … They signed point guards who were in the NBA last year so they could work with him on the way NBA does pick-and-rolls. They signed young players so they can have more energetic practices. He is totally on a different routine getting ready for the NBA.”
Specifically signing guards from the NBA so Wembanyama could notch a ton of time to work on the way the pick-and-roll operates in the NBA is off-the-charts greatness. And really, just good business.
No one could have possibly thought the likely hands-down No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft would be sticking around.
If you weren’t already super excited to see what Wembanyama will offer the NBA, now it feels like it’s next to impossible to root against the kid.
It also might be enjoyable to see Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaq remind Barkley of this very take should Wembanyama light up the NBA right from the jump.
