Joakim Noah, the ex-Chicago Bulls star, may have just dropped the ultimate bombshell. Joakim Noah teases NBA about a potential future superstar. Imagine having another Victor Wembanyama towering over the league—well, that might not be as far-fetched as it sounds. During his appearance on *All The Smoke*, Noah hinted that his wife, Lais Ribeiro, who stands a formidable 6’1″, could be carrying the next basketball prodigy. His cheeky comment? “She might have a Wemby in her belly right now.” Talk about stirring the pot! Could we soon see the rise of another 7ft 4 basketball sensation?
Joakim Noah Teases NBA with the Possibility of a Giant Family Addition
Wembanyama, the French superstar dominating his rookie year, is breaking records and shattering expectations. No player standing at 7’4” or taller has done what Wemby has in his debut season—averaging 20+ points and 3+ blocks per game. Sure, Ralph Sampson came close, but even he couldn’t touch those block numbers. Noah’s admiration for Wembanyama is clear, and with his French heritage, it’s easy to see why he’d want his future child to follow in those footsteps. After all, who wouldn’t want their kid to be the next face of the NBA?
Noah’s admiration for Wemby doesn’t stop there. He reflected on the exciting rise of young French athletes like Wembanyama, highlighting the importance of grassroots development in France. “Something is going on in France, and it’s working,” Noah remarked. The man knows talent when he sees it—so why not envision his child carrying on that legacy?
However, Noah’s love for Wemby doesn’t blind him to the realities of the game. Despite the jaw-dropping stats, he doesn’t believe Wembanyama deserved the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY). Even with Wemby’s 3.6 blocks per game outshining Rudy Gobert’s 2.1 blocks, Noah believes Wemby still has a long way to go.
Joakim Noah isn’t shy about his high standards. The man who once claimed the DPOY title himself knows the importance of team defense. In his eyes, Wemby’s individual stats mean nothing if the Spurs continue to allow 118.6 points per game and sit 24th in defensive rankings. “Individually, is he the best defender? Yes. But you’ve got to be a top team defense,” Noah explained. Harsh words? Maybe. But from a guy who’s been there, they carry weight.
Despite these critiques, Noah’s excitement for Wembanyama is undeniable. His decision to even joke about his unborn child being the next Wemby shows the deep respect he has for the Spurs’ giant. While Wemby might not be ready for that DPOY crown just yet, who knows what the future holds for Noah’s potential basketball prodigy?
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