The Ringer NBA Show Wemby Wants the MVP! | Real Ones
Mar 24, 2026
They debate Victor Wembanyama’s push for MVP and whether his comments cross confidence into ego. They break down San Antonio’s playoff readiness and how Wemby’s defense shapes his case. The Rockets’ season struggles and lack of a true point guard get scrutinized. Short takes on Cam Thomas being waived and which role players could swing playoff series.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Wembanyama Publicly Pushing MVP Case
- Victor Wembanyama is openly campaigning for MVP by emphasizing defense and overall impact, not just scoring.
- Howard notes Wemby's 3.0 blocks per game and that defensive value is undervalued versus gaudy offensive stats like Luka or Jokic.
Spurs Built For Playoffs Not Typical Young Team
- Hosts expect the Spurs and Wembanyama to perform similarly in playoffs, predicting at least a Western Conference Finals appearance.
- Howard argues Spurs play mature, confident basketball and already match up well versus top West teams.
Rockets Missing Point Guard And Defensive Identity
- The Houston Rockets lack a true floor general after trading for Kevin Durant, which has exposed organizational incoherence.
- Raja and Howard emphasize missing Fred VanVleet's playmaking and the team's erosion of defensive identity.