Why Victor Wembanyama’s MVP puts Spurs in title contention

ByNBAUSA



Through four games of the 2025-26 NBA season San Antonio Spurs are undefeated for the first time since 2019. And while this young team has talent and promise, one truth stands above all else: Victor Wembanyama arrived as a legitimate MVP favorite.

Averaging 31 points, 13.8 rebounds and 4.8 blocks per game, Wembanyama is doing things we haven’t seen since the heyday of Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon. But what separates him from past greats isn’t just his statistical dominance; it’s the way he makes everyone around him better while redefining what’s possible on the basketball court.

Last season there were flashes of brilliance and inconsistency. This year there is nothing but brilliance. Vembanjama raised his floor and stretched his ceiling to unprecedented levels. He is no longer just a defensive phenom; he is the complete center of the offensive, the alpha team that now looks ready to fight.

Vembanjama’s leap from phenom to MVP

What stands out most about Vembanyama’s third-year surge isn’t just the numbers, but the control. He is more patient in the post, more confident from three and more thoughtful as a playmaker. His decision-making has evolved, as has his understanding of pace. He knows when to attack, when to delay, and when to assert himself as a gravitational force.

The 7-foot-4 Frenchman has developed an uncanny ability to dictate the pace without even touching the ball. Opposing defenses are scared to send help, knowing he can now comfortably score from all three levels. Its grip is tighter, its midrange jumper smoother, and its rim almost unstoppable.

On the other hand, Vembanyama transformed defense into theater. His timing as a shot blocker is preternatural, with nearly five blocks per game and countless turnovers that don’t show up on the scoreboard. It turns routine drives into second guesses. Players pause in the air, recalculate and throw the ball back more often.

When he’s on the court, the Spurs’ defensive rating drops into elite territory. He closes the space like a shadow and erases the mistakes of his teammates. What’s even more impressive is its durability; he plays over 32 minutes per game and maintains his intensity from tip-off to the final whistle.

But what it really sets Vembanjama apart from other MVP candidates like Nikola Jokic or Giannis Antetokounmpo this season is narrative weight. The Spurs were a rebuilding team just a year ago, winning 34 games. They are now undefeated and look like the top team in the Western Conference. That transformation goes through one man.

Even his presence in the dressing room has matured. By all accounts, Vembanyama has taken on a leadership role that extends beyond highlight blocks and 30-point nights. His calm, almost regal demeanor set the tone for a young roster learning how to win. He accepts responsibility and demands the same from others.

Why the Spurs suddenly look like contenders

San Antonio’s 4-0 start is no fluke; it is a reflection of system development and roster depth finally reaches Vembanyama size. Head coach Mitch Johnson has quietly put together the perfect blend of youth, versatility and veteran balance around his generational core.

Rookie guard Dylan Harper’s 20-point performance against Brooklyn showed the Spurs’ draft success continues to fuel their rotation. Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell thrive as two-way wings, while Keldon Johnson remains the heart of the team in the rushing game. The return of Jeremy Sochan will only improve defensive versatility and pace of transition.

And then there’s Luke Cornet. His arrival gives the Spurs something they sorely missed last season, a reliable big man who can eat up minutes and allow Vembanyama to stay fresh late into games. Spurs’ ability to maintain a lead with Wemby off the floor speaks volumes for their balance and improved bench structure.

When De’Aaron Fox returns from his hamstring injury, San Antonio will have another All-Star-caliber weapon to lighten the offensive load on their young core. Fox’s speed, playmaking and experience will perfectly complement Vembanyama’s methodical dominance, unlocking more versatility and selection spacing.

But beyond the mechanics of the roster, what has really changed in San Antonio is confidence. This team believes they can beat anyone. Their defensive rotations are sharp, their ball movement purposeful and their spacing around Wembanyama almost flawless.

The Spurs rank among the top teams in rebounding and blocks, while their offensive rating has skyrocketed thanks to improved shot selection and floor balance.

When you combine that system structure with an MVP-level player, you get something special. You get echoes of 1999 and 2014, Spurs at their most cohesive, disciplined and ruthless.

The Western Conference remains a gauntlet, Denver is still elite, Oklahoma City is loaded, and the Lakers, Warriors and Clippers are capable of turning it on in the playoffs. But none of them have a player like Victor Wembanyama.

He is the difference between an entertaining story and a championship threat. Between renewal and revolution.

If the first few weeks of the season are any indication, Vembanjama is not only chasing the MVP; he chases history. Spurs are no longer waiting for the future. With their young star now fully evolved, their time has already come.





2025-10-30 19:14:00

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