"Him bagging Livvy Dunne is already GOAT status" - NBA fans chime in on Victor Wembanyama drawing comparisons to MLB's Paul Skenes
Victor Wembanyama took the NBA by storm last season on his way to being named Rookie of the Year. Wembanyama's rise has been compared to Pittsburgh Pirates rookie star pitcher Paul Skenes, who will start for the NL in the MLB All-Star Game.
In his All-Star Game press conference, a reporter asked Skenes about the comparisons being made between him and Wembanyama. The 22-year-old pitcher admitted that he doesn't follow basketball, but knows who the Spurs star was. He just doesn't know enough to agree or disagree with the comparison.
"I don't know that I agree or disagree with that. I don't watch the NBA at all. I know who he is, but I don't know a whole lot about him," Skenes said.
Sports fans on Instagram reacted to Paul Skenes' answer to being compared to Victor Wembanyama. Some fans thought that Skenes has had a better campaign so far, while others sided with Wembanyama having a greater rookie season.
There are also fans who went on a different route and used Skenes' personal life:
"Him bagging Livvy Dunne is already GOAT status," a fan wrote.
"Skenes will have the better rookie year than Wemby but Wemby will have the better career. I think Skenes will end up like Strasburg and retire in 10 years," another fan replied.
"Doesn't matter. Wemby's career is going to be 10x what Skenes' will be," one fan claimed.
Paul Skenes is 11 games into his MLB career and has not suffered a loss. The Pittsburgh Pirates have also not lost in all 11 games he has started. Skenes has a 6-0 record with a 1.90 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 66.1 innings pitched.
On the other hand, Victor Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. Baseball and basketball are two different sports, with Wembanyama projected to have a longer career. Pitchers have a mean career length of just 4.8 years although Skenes has the potential to be great.
"This comparison makes no sense when Wemby is a 2-way player and Skenes only pitches," one fan commented.
"Stop trying to compare that’s not the same by far," a fan remarked.
"Apples and oranges. Comparable but completely different," another fan shared.
Victor Wembanyama is the early favorite to win DPOY next season
In addition to winning the Rookie of the Year award, Victor Wembanyama came in second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Wembanyama was behind fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert, who had an exceptional campaign with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The two towering players are currently preparing to help France in the upcoming Olympics in Paris. They have the homecourt advantage although betting odds are already looking forward to next season.
According to FanDuel, Wemby is the overwhelming favorite to take the DPOY next season ahead of Chet Holmgren, Rudy Gobert and Bam Adebayo.