Victor Wembanyama didn't exactly win a popularity contest during the NBA Finals. Between some questionable on-court moments and postgame comments that rubbed people the wrong way, a narrative started to build: the San Antonio Spurs' phenom was becoming the league's new villain.
But ESPN's Scott Van Pelt isn't buying it. On his podcast this week, Van Pelt pushed back against the idea that Wembanyama is some kind of bad guy, arguing that the 22-year-old is being graded on a curve that's far too harsh.
“The list of things that this 22-year-old could have done better, it’s lengthy,” Van Pelt said. “There’s things that, in review, this 22-year-old can look back and say, ‘Where can I get better?’ There’s things he could do that don’t draw the ire of people. The game will mature. He’s got to add more tricks to the bag.”
Van Pelt acknowledged that Wembanyama had some rough edges during the series—including a shove on Jalen Brunson that drew an NBA investigation—but he insisted that labeling the French star a villain is an overreaction.
“For the league, not a bad thing at all to have a villain. To have a guy this talented, this young, that people are going to want to watch,” Van Pelt said. “And if they’re going to root for him to fail, doesn’t hurt the league. Helps the league. I just believe it’s overstated. I believe this is a thoughtful, incredibly talented guy that will get better across the board. And I think we’re grading with a real sharp pencil and being harsher than is fair in turning this guy into the worst thing that ever happened.”
The Finals themselves were a mixed bag for Wembanyama. Statistically, he was dominant: 26.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game, earning him First-Team All-NBA honors and Defensive Player of the Year. But the Spurs lost to the New York Knicks in five games, a series that included a historic 29-point collapse in Game 4 that left fans and analysts questioning San Antonio's composure.
After the loss, Wembanyama called it “the biggest lesson” of his life, which some saw as mature. But his comment that the Spurs had “dominated” much of the series—despite losing 4-1—drew criticism as tone-deaf. That moment, combined with a controversial knee-banger that went viral, fueled the villain narrative.
Still, Van Pelt believes the criticism is overblown. He pointed out that Wembanyama is just 22 years old and still learning how to navigate the spotlight. “There’s things he could do that don’t draw the ire of people,” Van Pelt repeated, suggesting that maturity and experience will smooth out the rough patches.
The Spurs, meanwhile, have an entire offseason to regroup. With Wembanyama at the center of their plans, San Antonio's championship window is clearly open. The question is whether the young star can channel the criticism into growth—or if the villain label will stick.
For now, Van Pelt is betting on the former. And he's not alone in thinking that a little edge might actually be good for the league.
