Why Victor Vembanyama Says ‘Greed’ Is Good

Victor Vembanyama set one of the largest quarters and halves a San Antonio Spurs player ever enjoyed. Ending with 40 points in the score 136-108 at the Los Angeles Lakershe scored 25 in the opening half and 37 before the break.

“In games like this you have to be greedy,” Wemby said when asked if he would have liked to play more than eight minutes in the second half.

“In every game, you have to have this greed to want more every time, because at any moment, it doesn’t matter who’s on the field, there’s somebody who’s going to want to stop you from doing what you’re doing out there. So you have to be greedy,” the generational star continued.

Although declarative, Vembanyama was also nuanced in his response to the same question.

“I don’t mind either way. Of course, I’m ready to return to the field. I also tried to return, but they made the right choice to keep me on the bench. We have to think long-term.”

Answering the question if he wants to finish the night with 60 points in his first halfthe 7-foot-5 center answered in the affirmative before explaining.

“I know that, but I also know we have to be fresh for tomorrow. We have to make another statement tomorrow, so it’s a team game at the end of the day. What really matters is W or L.”

Victor Vembanyama’s big night in context

According to Stathead, in a 26:06 game with the Lakers, the 2023 first-round pick became just the third player in NBA history to score at least 40 points in less than 27 minutes since 1976-77, joining New York Knicks legends Patrick Ewing and Slippy Floyd.

The win in Los Angeles marked the sixth time in his young career that he has scored at least 40 goals. That already surpassed the most ever by a Spurs on the 40+ game streak in franchise history. Tim Duncan did it five times during his storied career. On a related note, Spurs icon Manu Ginobili has enjoyed six 40+ point games, which is now tied with Wembey for sixth on San Antonio’s list, although the Frenchman now has more 30-point games (33) than Ginobili.

On his heels Stephon Castle scored 40 points in the previous gameVembanjama’s 40 meant Spurs players had hit the mark in back-to-back competitions for the first time since 1984 when Mike Mitchell hit 43 two nights after George Gervin hit 42.

“I feel good,” Wemby said of a night like the one he enjoyed with the Lakers.

His 25-point performance in the first quarter not only is it a personal best for the period, but it is also the most by any Spurs in any quarter in the play-by-play era since 1996 and ranks as the third-highest scoring quarter in franchise history. Only Gervin with 33 and David Robinson with 28, both Hall of Famers, have contributed more in a span as members of the Silver and Black.

“What drove me was, honestly, to prove myself to a point, to prove my team to a point,” Spurs’ leading scorer concluded on a night that was historically registered. And not only for his franchise. Wembey’s 37 first-half points are the most in 18 minutes or less since Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker matched the same number in a first half in January 2024.

In the end, though, despite a torrid start, it was not a career night for Vembanyama. Blame it on his lack of greed.