Victor Wembanyama’s epic performance in Game One of the Western Conference Finals reminded netizens of his past training at China’s Shaolin Temple, where his master stated that kung fu provided the player not with specific basketball skills, but with a philosophical system centred on focus and balance.On Tuesday, the young San Antonio Spurs were widely expected to receive a harsh lesson from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the finals, but after Game One, public discussion converged into a single question: what kind of monster is “Wemby”?Leading the Spurs to an away victory over the Thunder, the 22-year-old delivered a near-surreal performance in his Western Conference Finals debut, playing the entire 48 minutes and 42 seconds to record 41 points, 24 rebounds, three blocks and three assists.He shot 14-of-25 from the field and 12-of-13 from the free-throw line, finishing with a +16 plus-minus rating.In the depths of double overtime, he forced a survival with a Stephen Curry-style deep three-pointer, ultimately guiding his team to victory through absolute dominance on both ends of the floor.Victor Wembanyama (middle) dunks the ball against the Thunder in Game 1 on Tuesday. Photo: TNS“He really learned something at the Shaolin Temple,” a Chinese fan joked.
Wembanyama’s dominant showing in Spurs win attributed to Shaolin Temple stint
French NBA star spent 10 days with monks in China last June, when he learned kung fu and meditation in system centred on focus and balance.
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