Did Wemby Take A Shot At OKC? Lou Williams Certainly Thinks So

A single phrase can have so many interpretations, especially if that phrase is uttered by a 7-foot-3 freak of nature who has his sights set on a championship.

After Victor Wembanyama helped the San Antonio Spurs advance to the Emirates NBA Cup finals this past weekend, he delivered a seemingly innocent comment in the post-game media availability. “I’m just glad to be part of something that’s growing to be so beautiful: pure and ethical basketball,” Wemby said.

Complimentary words to his teammates? Maybe. Shots fired at the team that they just defeated? That’s where it gets interesting.

If you ask former NBA player-turned-analyst Lou Williams, Wembanyama was definitely taking aim at the Oklahoma City Thunder. “He’s barking up to the guys that have the rings,” the “Run It Back” co-host said. “So, whatever you wanna fashion their style of basketball to be, it’s still ring season over there. They’re still the favorites.”

Williams’ bigger concern, however, was Wemby’s indirect manner of sending a message to the defending champions. “Shake the tree as much as you can. However, put an address on it. Don't send a subliminal to Chet. Don't send a subliminal to SGA,” Williams insisted.

The 7-foot-3 French phenom isn’t known to figure in a lot of verbal altercations, but he lets his game do plenty of talking. In the NBA Cup semifinal game against OKC, Wembanyama contributed 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocks. The one-time All-Star did this off the bench in his first outing since being sidelined by a calf injury.

Though the Thunder (24–2) are comfortably ahead of everyone else in the regular season standings, the Spurs (18–7) are putting the NBA on notice as playoff contenders in the Western Conference. Interestingly, these two teams will have not one but two games against each other on Christmas week, including a nationally televised game on the 25th.

It was only a matter of time before Wembanyama, widely considered the greatest player of his generation, inched closer and closer to the conversation surrounding the NBA title. The Spurs have much work to do if they want their young superstar to have his first taste of the Finals, but as far as Williams is concerned, sending a straightforward message to the reigning champions is a good place to start.