The NBA centers of the old Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, Karl Malone, and Patrick Ewing had huge size. They exhibited substantial size and formidable muscle tone on the basketball court. However, that has faded away. Instead, a new generation of players has emerged, characterized by a swift and more streamlined physique like Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder have shown remarkable ability to make blocks as well as score at the other end. Wemby and Holmgren, despite their size, are both averaging 3.0 and 2.8 blocks per game, respectively. It led Shaq to crack a joke about the physiques of the centers of the past and present on social media.
In the O’Neal era, the expectation was for big players to dominate the game and protect their paint physically. However, players like Wembanyama and Holmgren are demonstrating that size and muscle tone don’t hold significant sway in the modern game of basketball. Holmgren and Wemby have dominated the paint in their own way and have blocked very well.
Holmgren and Wemby, both contenders for NBA Rookie of the Year awards, are having a remarkable season. Chet Holmgren is averaging 16.9 points, eight rebounds, and 2.4 assists with FG% of 52.1. On the other hand, Wemby is averaging 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 43.6% FG.
Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren making play for Rookie of the Season
Wemby and Holmgren have been a revelation for their respective teams this season. Holmgren, drafted in 2022, missed the season due to an injury. Hence, he is eligible for the ROTY Award this season.
On November 18, Holmgren put up a career-high 36 points, ten rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks, and two three-pointers in a 130–123 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors. He joined Michael Jordan as the only rookie in NBA history to put up at least 35 points, ten rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block, and two three-pointers made in a game.
On the other hand, Wemby put up a career-high 38 points alongside ten rebounds and two blocks in a 132–121 win over the Phoenix Suns. Wemby joined LeBron James and Kevin Durant as the only teenagers in NBA history to put up at least 35 points, ten rebounds, and two blocks in a game.
Also, On 8 December, Wembanyama put up 21 points and 20 rebounds in a 121–112 loss to the Chicago Bulls. He became the youngest player in NBA history to put up at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game at 19 years and 338 days old, surpassing the previous record set by Dwight Howard.
Both players are neck and neck in the race for the Rookie of the Year title, raising expectations as they aspire to become the future faces of the NBA.
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