Mitch Johnson discusses MVP Victor Wembanyama’s case in the midst of a historic season
There is little debate about that Victor Vembanyama he has blossomed into one of the NBA’s best players in his third season. The 23-year-old’s monstrous production has elevated the San Antonio Spurs to the status of a legitimate contender. Is that enough for him to become one of the league’s youngest MVPs ever?
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson thinks so.
“He’s as big a driver for his team to win (as anybody),” Johnson said before Thursday’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. “The single things that are identified as the best or the most valuable are offense, defense, boards and everything in between. He’s at the forefront of (each of) those. And there are other guys around the league who do that. I haven’t dived deep into it, but I definitely think he’s in the conversation. It would be logical for someone not to make that argument.
Wembanyama’s two-way contribution led the Spurs to the NBA’s third-best record (42-16).
Victor Wembanyama enters the MVP conversation as he leads the Spurs’ promotion
A French phenomenon is on average 24.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .503/.353/.812 shooting. Offensively, he is one of six players averaging 24-plus points on 50 percent shooting or better, joining Shai Giljos-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Austin Reaves.
meanwhile, Vembanjama continued to make a historic impact in defence. He leads the NBA with 3.9 steals (steals + blocks) per game, 0.8 ahead of the next player (Scottie Barnes: 3.0). The Spurs are allowing 10.6 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on and off the court, the second-highest defensive rating in the NBA behind only Rudy Gobert (-12.7), per CleaningTheGlass.
Vembanjama currently has the fifth best MVP odds at +3300, behind Gilgeous-Alexander (-190), Jokic (+300), Cade Cunningham (+1400) and Luka Doncic (+2000), per FanDuel bookmaker. The Spurs star can only miss three more games to stay eligible.
2026-02-27 01:46:00
