People, right here we’re once more. The Thunder and the Spurs are about to play of their first sport towards each other this NBA season.
Which means we get to see Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama go at it. These are mainly two basketball kaiju colliding. One is 7-foot-4 and the opposite is 7-foot-1 they usually each do all the pieces guards can do — typically higher. It’s wild.
The comparisons will all the time be there. They’re each second-year large males regardless of Holmgren being drafted a yr earlier than. They each play the identical place. They’re each in the identical convention. Their enjoying types are related.
However ought to we name their relationship with one another a rivalry? It’s truthful to name it that. However I’m not so positive it’s that fairly but.
Let’s dive into their relationship on the court docket to this point.
Wait, so is that this factor truly a rivalry?
Obligatory Credit score: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports activities
Effectively, it’s aggressive. Possibly it’s truthful to name it a rivalry. However there’s no animosity between the 2 of them.
Holmgren was requested about his relationship with Wemby over the summer season on Paul George’s “Playoff P” podcast. He rapidly clarified that, whereas issues are aggressive, there isn’t a “beef” between the 2 of them.
“Individuals be like ‘Y’all received beef?’ I’m like ‘Beef?’ We’re on the market competing, however beef? Like, beef means once I see you we’re preventing. Why do I received beef with him? I actually don’t even know the man. We simply play basketball towards one another. As rivals, neither of us need to lose. And neither of us need to, like, simply let the opposite particular person get a bucket or something. So, we’re all the time going to compete. If folks take it as we received beef, these folks don’t perceive competing I suppose.”
So, whereas they’re extraordinarily aggressive, there’s nothing extra there at this level.
How aggressive are they?
Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports activities
It’s fairly clear that the aggressive juices move a bit bit tougher once they line up towards each other.
It began again in 2021 on the FIBA Beneath-19 World Cup. Wembanyama stated dropping to Holmgren and fouling out of the ultimate sport towards Group USA is the “worst reminiscence” of his younger basketball life to this point.
Right here’s extra from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst:
“It is just the worst basketball reminiscence of Wembanyama’s life — “Simply enthusiastic about it makes my jaw clench,” he has stated — and one of many nice accomplishments of Holmgren’s. Although he didn’t play exceptionally by his requirements within the championship sport — Holmgren had 10 factors and 5 assists — the American participant was named the event’s MVP and returned for his freshman yr at Gonzaga with a gold medal. Wembanyama had put up 22 factors with eight rebounds and eight blocks earlier than having to observe the ultimate minutes from the bench.”
That aggressive vitality between them hasn’t disappeared.
What have been their matchups like?
COMPETITIVE. In all caps. The video games are enjoyable to observe. They each do issues we’ve by no means seen anybody like them do on an NBA court docket.
Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren battled it out in San Antonio ⚔️
Wemby: 28 PTS, 13 REB, 5 BLK, W
Holmgren: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST pic.twitter.com/XnX07Om1gP— NBA (@NBA) March 1, 2024
With that stated, mountains moved after we noticed Wemby block Chet’s jumper.
Spurs – OKC.
Wemby – Chet.Disfrutemos (o no). pic.twitter.com/PriCPtmLZ4
— SPURS LATAM (@Spurs_Latam) October 30, 2024
Chet and the Thunder walked away with two wins of their three matchups. However Wembanyama would often stroll away with a spotlight or two that made you go, “Wow. Can’t wait to observe extra of this for the following 10 years.”
So, look. Possibly this isn’t a rivalry now. However the extra these guys see one another, the nearer this matchup turns into the true deal.
Holmgren advised reporters final yr, “I plan on enjoying a very long time, and that i’m positive he does too so there’ll be no selection however to trip.”
Let’s hope that occurs.
