Detailed look at why Victor Wembanyama hates Chet Holmgren’s guts after Game 1 domination

The NBA is at its best when rivalries are involved. Hated rivalries make for great entertainment and the most competitive of play. After Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, it is clear that the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are not the best of friends. These are the two best teams in the Western Conference, and they both appear to be contenders for years to come, so the rivalry should only pick up over the years. It all seems to start with Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.

The two skinny but lanky big men have often been compared to each other, and while they deny accusations of a beef, it is clear that they’ve had a disdain for one another dating back long before their times in the NBA. So, where does the rivalry come from?

Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren’s rivalry

Before they became two of the best defenders in the NBA, Wembanyama and Holmgren were two of the most highly touted prospects in recent memory. Wembanyama stands 7-feet-4-inches tall and was hyped up at an early age due to his ability to perform like a guard on the offensive end despite his center build. The Le Chesnay, France, native had scouts salivating because of his ability to execute a clean handle, hit jump shots, and, of course, swat shots away at the rim.

Holmgren possessed a modern skill set in his own right. He grew to fame as an amateur when a clip of him crossing up Stephen Curry went viral. He also had a 12-block game in a high school matchup against Bronny James’ Sierra Canyon. The 7-foot-1 stretch big from Minneapolis, Minnesota, would eventually go on to become the number two overall pick in 2022. Wembanyama was picked first overall the following year. The two clashed before the NBA, though.

It is believed that the beef began in 2021 at the U19 World Cup Final. Holmgren’s Team USA bested Wembanyama and France by a score of 83-81 in a closely contested battle, and the American was given tournament MVP honors. The French player is the ultimate competitor, and falling short seemingly didn’t sit right with him.

Their meetups ever since have been highly competitive, and while neither player has point-blank stated that there is a rivalry, cheeky comments have been made from both parties that signal it isn’t all lollipops and rainbows.

“No, I don’t think about that,” Wembanyama said when asked about a rivalry with Holmgren earlier this season. “At least from a basketball standpoint, there’s no comparison between us.”

Wembanyama’s dislike for his rival not only culminated in a double overtime win in Game 1, but some high-flying finishes over Holmgren, too. The Frenchman slammed down a dunk twice with the Gonzaga product in the vicinity in the closing minutes of double overtime. The first of these slams gave San Antonio a lead that they never looked back from, and the later dunk came in poster fashion over Holmgren and served as the nail in the coffin. This did come after Holmgren blocked Wembanyama’s buzzer-beater attempt to force the first overtime, though. Wembanyama still finished the game with 41 points, 24 rebounds, three blocks, and the win. Those numbers had only previously been met by Wilt Chamberlain in a conference finals debut.

These are two of the best big men in the modern game, and they seem likely to define an era. Both are pioneers for this new archetype of big men, one where weight and physicality don’t matter nearly as much as shot blocking, skill, and jump shooting. Wembanyama and Holmgren match each other’s skill sets well, and they do so while seemingly not liking each other. That will surely lead to fireworks not only throughout the rest of the Western Conference Finals, but for years to come.

The post Detailed look at why Victor Wembanyama hates Chet Holmgren’s guts after Game 1 domination appeared first on ClutchPoints.