Victor Wembanyama drew plenty of attention after helping the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals.
Following the win, Wembanyama spoke to reporters and shared a remark that quickly began circulating online.
The comment seemed aimed at the defending NBA Champions, though it was never explicitly stated by the Frenchman.
Udonis Haslem reacts to Victor Wembanyama’s postgame comments
The Spurs went on to lose the NBA Cup Final against the New York Knicks, but Wembanyama’s words from the Thunder game are still being discussed a week later.
Udonis Haslem, now with some distance from his playing days, weighed in on what Wemby had to say and made it clear he did not appreciate the comments.
“You can’t whine your way, you can’t cry your way, you can’t beg your way to a championship. That’s not happening,” he began by saying.
“So I’m not sure if he is talking about OKC, but I don’t want to hear none of that when it comes to OKC.
“Stop it.”
Nick Wright adds to the criticism
Wembanyama’s comments did not just draw attention from former players. Sports podcaster Nick Wright also took issue with what was said.
“I don’t need to be talked down to or lectured about ethical basketball or which teams have sophisticated offenses from a 20 year old French kid who’s never won anything.”
The ‘ethical basketball’ remark clearly did not sit well with everyone, but Wembanyama has a chance to quieten that talk if he keeps performing on the court.
Since the loss in the NBA Cup Final, San Antonio have strung together two straight wins, and Wembanyama has played well off the bench in both games.
He put up 15 points in just 17 minutes against Washington before following that with a 26-point, 12-rebound performance in only 21 minutes against Atlanta.
If he keeps this form going and the Spurs stay hot, it will be hard for anyone to criticise him.
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