San Antonio – A year ago, Victor Wenbanyama played a groundbreaking game against the Knicks.
40 points and 20 rebounds.
Three months ago, he captivated MSG on Christmas.
42 points and 18 rebounds.
At All-Star Weekend last month, he was called the NBA's next face frontrunner.
Again with the Frost Bank Center and the Knicks on Wednesday night?
11 consecutive DNPs and a vague future.
Wenbanyama is out indefinitely with a blood clot in her right shoulder. This was a question that ended the season, robbing his defensive player's chances on his ability to carry the league, as pre-defined a few weeks ago, leaving him with questions about his ability to carry the league.
“He's kind of one. He's a generational talent and an incredible person,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
The good news is that the Spurs are expressing optimism that the center will return soon.
As acting director Mitch Johnson said, “There's no reason to believe he's not ready to start next season.”
However, blood clots were scary, and availability has always been the biggest concern of the 7-foot-4 center.
For the Knicks, Wembanyama's absence meant facing a tanking franchise that had run out of it on Wednesday night. Wenbanyama, Dearon Fox and Greg Popovich are all season long.
The Spurs had dropped 10 out of 14 before playing New York.
If they somehow get lucky with Cooper Flag, the lottery draft should be renamed “You're welcome, Spurs.”
In the case of the NBA, Wenby's health concerns have been piled up in the issue of star availability and finding obvious heirs to LeBron James and Steph Curry.
Already, the four nominees carrying the torch missed the 65-game cutoff to become eligible for postseason awards. Luka Donsic, Ja Morantz, Zion Williamson and Wembagnama.
When LeBron and Curry are no longer around, who will become the face of the league if there is?
Let's take a quick look at the seven candidates.
The only standard is that players must be under 27 years old (Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson are not eligible):
Victor Wenbagnama
They have the right mentality, the right refined persona, and provide uniqueness.
But at age 21, he would have missed about 30% of his game in his first two seasons.
Luka Donsic
He's in the right market and may be the most skilled offensive player since Larry Bird.
But Donsic is not interested in his own marketing and the constant complaining to the judge is a turn-off.
Shy Gilgas Alexander
Like he's the frontrunner for MVP this season, he could be the frontrunner on this list.
An Ultrasmooth player with exceptional handles and shot-making abilities, the only drawback to his marketability is that he is not American (SGA is Canadian), and he plays in a very tiny market.
Anthony Edwards
He is barely refined and sometimes troubling Edwards, but he is almost always available.
He needs to win more.
Edwards has yet to crack the top five in the MVP poll, but this year it won't happen.
Jason Tatum
We had to secure a spot at the top already. He is an American, played in a big market and won the championship. But for some reason, Tatum does not connect with fans outside of Boston.
He may be too bland in both style and personality.
Zion Williamson
He is the most powerful player of the Fol candidates, but Williamson's problem is clear. He's always injured.
He has lost weight recently, but I think Williamson needs a trade from New Orleans to reach his potential.
Ja Morant
Another athletic freak and popular among younger fans.
However, last season Morant was hampered by flashing his gun and is a persistent DNP.
