This postseason has had a prevailing subplot in Victor Wembanyama’s ascent— not only as the 22-year-old cements himself as the face of the NBA, but also how the young superstar is trying to find his edge on the court. That manifested itself with an elbow to Naz Reid against the Timberwolves, and reared its head once more on Monday night against the Knicks.
Wemby was jostling with Jalen Brunson at the top of the key, and decided to throw him to the ground like he was nothing.
Brunson was obviously astonished that this even happened, because one would think that a fist-shove like this would at least warrant a whistle. I call it that, because I don’t really know how to define this move. It’s not really a push, it’s not a punch — it’s a fist-shove. Of course Wemby had to invent an entirely new way to foul someone.
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We could call this him getting the superstar call, but it was wholly bizarre that he was able to get away with this against Jalen Brunson of all people. It’s not like he was manhandling someone off the bench or a role player — it was star-on-star violence. Now, while it is quite funny to see anyone get ragdolled like this, the refs definitely shouldn’t have swallowed their whistles here.
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