‘Spurs aren’t close, young man’: NBA legend Charles Barkley pours cold water on Victor Wembanyama’s title aspirations in San Antonio ahead of 2023 draft: ‘They’ll probably be the third-best team just in Texas!”
Charles Barkley has poured cold water on Victor Wembanyama’s aspirations to win a ring in San Antonio, with the NBA legend saying Spurs ‘are nowhere near winning a championship’, let alone competing in the playoffs next season.
Ahead of this year’s draft in June, ‘Wemby’ revealed his goal was to try and win a title as soon as possible after the No. 1 overall pick was picked for Spurs in the draft. lottery.
Moreover, expectations surrounding the seven-foot-three phenom have skyrocketed, with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski calling the Frenchman “the greatest prospect in team sports history”.
However, Barkley – a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and a TNT pundit – has refuted the hype surrounding the 19-year-old, who he says needs to prove himself again after dominating on the road. San Antonio sold more than 2,500 hours of season tickets, sealing the first pick in this year’s draft, becoming Wemby’s likeliest destination.
“This notion that just because you got all this hype and kicked a** in France all these years,” ‘Chuck’ said on Sirius XM’s NBA Radio. “It doesn’t mean anything when you step onto the pitch next year.”
“Spurs are nowhere near winning a championship, Young Fella!”
Charles Barkley talks about the challenges Wembanyama will face in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/shwubzgMMc
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) May 20, 2023
Charles Barkley claimed 7-foot-3 phenom Victor Wembanyama will have to adapt to the NBA
Barkley, an 11-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team member and 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), then responded to Wembanyama’s claim that he “had can’t wait to win a title.” ‘ after the May 16 draw.
“Spurs are nowhere near winning a championship, young lad!” said the former 76ers, Suns and Rockets forward.
“You probably won’t make the playoffs next year!”
Spurs’ last No. 1 draft pick was Tim Duncan who won five rings with San Antonio
The Spurs are coming off their worst season in winning percentage since 1997 – an overall record of 22-60, finishing bottom of the Western Conference standings.
Just under 26 years ago, the last time San Antonio found themselves last in the West, the team drafted No. 1 center Tim Duncan from Wake Forest.
And together, “the Big Fundamental” and the Spurs brought five NBA rings to the Spurs. Duncan is now the team’s assistant coach.
Although fans are confident head coach Gregg Popovich is going to make Wembanyama an All-Star, Barkley pointed out that Spurs have a long way to go before they are tagged as contenders, or even favorites, to win a ring.
“They’re probably going to be the third best team in Texas!” Barkley added. “Just in Texas!” »
