San Antonio Spurs' star center Victor Wembanyama studies the NBA's history. There's no telling how much he'll add to it, but he has the tools to be a pantheon player.
Wembanyama's appreciation for what has come before him has shaped his affinity for the fabled parquet and the rafters that hold more championship banners than any other NBA arena.
In January of 2024, after his first game at TD Garden, he gushed about the venue, voicing, "The floor is very special. It didn't bother me, but it is special. I mean, it's just beautiful."
Following a 100-95 road win over the Boston Celtics on Saturday, the burgeoning star praised the city and the franchise.
"Playing in Boston is cool. First of all, this city is pretty cool, I think," said Wembanyama. "It's pretty walkable...Playing in this environment is cool. Obviously, they've got a great history. Great culture. So, it's a good team. It's one of the top teams in terms of class in the NBA."
That doesn't mean he's on his way out of San Antonio, but his message came across as genuine. It was a glimpse into the maturity that's helping the 22-year-old maximize his immense gifts. Physically, fans won't see themselves in a person standing well over seven feet tall and towering above the competition. However, Wembanyama's authenticity also allows people to connect with him.
Victor Wembanyama sizes up the Celtics
Boston's spent the season defying external expectations. Even after Saturday's loss to San Antonio, the C's sit third in the East. They are in a tie for the second-most wins against opponents with a .500 record or better.
At the heart of that is a roster filled with players hungry to prove themselves with more responsibility. Something so easy to spot certainly didn't slip past Wembanyama's radar.
"They play very physical," he stated while sharing his assessment of the Celtics. "They play with effort. They've got many guys that can do similar things at a similar intensity. So, they have a real identity."
The reigning Rookie of the Year registered 21 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in the victory. He also deterred numerous drives, intimidating players into reversing course after approaching him around the rim.
However, one of his favorite parts of the win was an opportunity he hadn't had much of a chance to enjoy due to dealing with a hyperextended knee and a calf strain this season: sharing the floor with new teammate Luke Kornet.
"It's been great," said Wembanyama about that experience post-game. "Unfortunately, my minutes being a little low right now, we haven't had — we haven't spent as much time together on the court. But we did at the end, and that was the first time in a long time, and I just love playing with him.
"Just for me, it brings [on] both sides of the floor, and especially our offense, into another dimension, because it brings new challenges for them. And I can tell that —the first play we had tonight, I think Luke had an offensive rebound, like, it's hard for them to focus on both of us."
That tandem helped the Spurs pull out a win over the Celtics on Saturday. It could also play a critical role in propelling San Antonio when the playoffs arrive.