3 reasons David Robinson, not Tim Duncan, is better Victor Wembanyama rookie comparison

Victor Wembanyama, David Robinson’s freakish abilities

A 7-footer who can do it all and an absolute nightmare for offensive opponents.

Sound familiar? That’s how folks described “The Admiral” leading up to 1989.

Yes, David Robinson never featured the range that Victor Wembanyama already possesses. But at the time no player that size had moved, and as quickly, as the 7-foot-1 center did. He could score inside but could also hit jumpers. Most noticeably, he could get up and down the court faster than anyone else. His athleticism was a sight to see — often on display during rim-rocking dunks and ferocious blocks.

A quarter of a decade later, a “sight to see” fits another Spurs giant.

Though 7-foot-4, Wembanyama entered the NBA with a game that’s effective around the three-point line. His smooth stroke for a player so long mesmerized. His ability to move with fluidity to different spots on the court impressed and his ability to defend, not only at the rim, but also outside the point marveled.

Impressive stat lines

Several of Victor Wembanyama’s accomplishments this past season came because he’d hit numbers that hadn’t been seen since David Robinson.

When the 2o-year-old phenom scored more than 100 points in his first five NBA games, he joined “Big Dave” as the only Spurs rookies to do so.

When Wemby recorded a 30+ point, 10+ rebound, 5+ assist, 7+ block game in late December, he joined Robinson as the only rookies in league history to hit those numbers in a single night.

When Wemby recorded his second NBA triple-double in mid-February, he did so with 10 blocks, becoming the first rookie since Robinson to record the feat with blocks.

For the season, the top pick in last summer’s draft averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, and 3.9 assists.

As a rookie, Robinson averaged 24.3 points, 12 rebounds, 3.9 blocks, and 2.0 assists.

Duncan, by comparison, averaged 21.1 points, 11,9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 2.7 assists in his first pro campaign.

The Internet effect

Had the Internet existed when David Robinson burst in the league, he would’ve, as the kids say, “broken it.”

Outside of three-point percentage and assists, his statistics outpaced Victor Wembanyama.

Built like an action figure that stood 7-foot 1 and moved like a gazelle, Robinson was a walking highlight reel.

In that way, Wemby is the social media version of another Spurs giant that preceded him by 30 years.