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Reuters

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Reuters

Young star Victor Wembanyama is one of the exciting prospects for the 2023 NBA draft. The Frenchman can do it all on the hardwood. His 7’5″ frame helps him dominate the board and be a rim protector and also makes it hard for defenders. Furthermore, the center has great handles and a soft touch beyond the arc which makes him deadly. So many fans and analysts believe that Wembanyama is a generational talent and he will be the #1 draft pick. He is already being compared with superstars like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and so forth.

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However, his lack of muscle and strength is a bit of a concern for some as well. While many think it would not be a problem, some feel that he will be pushed around easily in the NBA. And a recent highlight apparently proves their point.

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Fans go wild as Victor Wembanyama was bullied

France and the Czech Republic recently locked horns at the FIBA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. France came out on top with a scoreline of 59-72. Victor Wembanyama starred for his nation in a dominant performance with 22 points, 17 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 4 steals. It was a major talking point during a segment of the Inside the NBA on TNT and the fans were excited as well. However, a recent clip of Wembanyama showed a downside to his game. The viral footage saw him backed down by the opposition center in the low block and then posterized. Fans went wild seeing the highlight and swarmed the comment section on Twitter. Here are some reactions:

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As the fans saw a bigger player moving him easily in the paint playing bully ball, many stated that Wembanyama would struggle in the NBA. Some noted that his draft stock could go down because of the massive poster. Also, fans commented that strong players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and others would dominate him.

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READ MORELearning to Read at Age 3, Helping Mother’s Business at 9, 7’3 Victor Wembanyama’s Childhood Was Larger Than His Size

A lot of fans suggested that the Frenchman should put work on his strength and put on some muscle before trying his hands in the biggest league in the world.

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Should Wembanyama take the Giannis route or the Durant route?

The criticism of Victor Wembanyama for his lack of muscle is not new in the NBA. In the past, many players have faced the same including Giannis Antetokounmpo who then went on a mindboggling transformation and became the Greek Freak we know today. Then there is Kevin Durant. The two-time NBA champion was discounted for his lanky build. Even though he did not put on a considerable amount of muscle like Giannis, he is still dominating the league. However, KD did not have to guard centers.

WATCH THIS STORYHow Tall Is Young Starlet Victor Wembanyama in Comparison With LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Durant?

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Even though the era of strong and powerful centers is long gone in the NBA, there are still some powerful centers. So this weakness is something his opponents would try to exploit. Whatever he decides to do, it will be interesting to watch a talent like Wembanyama play in the league.

Do you think Victor Wembanyama would struggle in the NBA because of his lack of muscle? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

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Bagavathi Eswaran

1,520 Articles

Bagavathi Eswaran is a senior NBA writer at EssentiallySports, having a strong passion for the sport since the age of ten. As a former college player, Bagavathi has been following the NBA for more than a decade and has found his calling in writing about the sport. He has used his expertise in covering the NBA, as well as other arenas of the sport, to write more than 1400 articles at ES. Bagavathi's pieces on the increasingly dominant presence of European basketball and those following the journey of women-ballers are particularly noteworthy. Along with being a full-time writer, he is also a part of a group of young coaches groomed as trainers by Junior NBA. Bagavathi has trained players from schools and colleges, as well as underprivileged students who can attend the camps for free.

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