Basketball Hall of Fame member Paul Pierce recently had harsh words for star San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama.
Pierce, who appeared on the “No Fouls Given” podcast last week, said Wembanyama shouldn’t be content with coming off the bench.
“The man is a sixth man right now,” Pierce said. “How are you coming off the bench? How are you accepting that?”
Wembanyama came off the bench in seven straight games before returning to the starting lineup in the Spurs’ 127-114 loss to the Utah Jazz on Saturday. He scored 32 points in 28 minutes. He’s been on a minutes restriction after a left calf strain that sidelined him for 12 games.
“I’ve never seen a superstar of his magnitude accept coming off the bench for multiple games,” Pierce said.
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The Spurs are being cautious with Wembanyama, who missed the rest of last season after being diagnosed with blood clots during the All-Star break. He’s averaging 23.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and shooting 51.8% from the field in 19 games.
San Antonio likely wants to ease him back into his full workload to prevent a more serious injury, which would jeopardize the Spurs’ title hopes. He’s a lock to make his second All-Star game and is the runaway favorite for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award if he meets the 65-game threshold.
The Spurs (23-8) have won eight of their past 10 games and are looking to catch the Oklahoma City Thunder for the league’s best record. Expect Wembanyama’s role to increase as the season goes on.